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STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. These are the subjects that can set a child up for a future career in the fields of science, physics, robotics, computers and engineering. One of the best ways to help foster a love of the STEM sciences in children is to get them interested at an early age. And a great way to do that is with age-appropriate science kits.
20 Best Science Kits For Kids
- Learn & Climb Kids Science Set
- Playz Ridiculous Inventions Science Kit For Kids
- Crystal Growing Experimental Kit
- Grow N' Glow Terrarium
- My First Mind Blowing Science Kit
- National Geographic Break Open 10 Geodes
- Crayola Color Chemistry Lab set
- Scientific Explorer Magic Science For Wizards Only Kit
- AmScope 120x-1200x Kids Beginner Microscope STEM Kit
- Playz Kaboom! Explosive Combustion Science Lab Kit
- Discovery Extreme Chemistry Lab Kit
- Scientific Explorer Disgusting Science Kit
- 4M Kitchen Science Kit
- Made By Me Glow In The Dark Powerballs
- Smithsonian Mega Science Lab 6 Kits In One
- Project Mc2 Gummy Jewelry Science Kit
- Solar Rover Science Kit
- ScienceWiz Light Science Kit
- The Big Engineering Makerspace
These days there are plenty of cool science kits available for kids of all ages. Toddlers can experiment with plastic beakers and microscopes and test tubes that perfectly sized for their small hands, while bigger kids will be engrossed in the amazing offerings of the science kits that come with chemicals, laboratory tools, working microscopes and much more.
No matter what subjects a child is interested in, there is sure to be a STEM science kit to spark their fancy. And for the little mad scientists who can’t get enough, there’s even the Amazon STEM club (https://www.amazon.com/gp/help/customer/display.html?nodeId=202118400). For just $20 a box, kids will be sent hand-selected, high-quality, age-appropriate items guaranteed to be as fun as they are educational.
Why Kids Need Science Kits
There are so many benefits to giving kids science kits. Children will learn so much more than what they’re taught in school by getting involved in their own experiments and seeing the results. Parents and educators alike can agree that anything that makes learning more fun is a worthy investment. Being hands-on, whether mixing a chemical reaction with vinegar and baking soda or cracking crystal geodes out of rocks with a hammer, is essential for a child’s learning experience because it helps them understand the theories and principles of science.
Check out our picks for the best, top rated science kits for kids
Each product we feature has been independently selected and reviewed by our editorial team. If you make a purchase using the links included, we may earn commission.
1 of 19 Image Credits: Amazon
Learn & Climb Kids Science Set
Sixty science experiments are waiting to be discovered in this cool science kit for kids. The 55 piece set includes chemicals, ingredients and all the tools necessary to stimulate your little scientist. Parents appreciate that it comes with an easy to follow instructional DVD as well as a color manual.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This science experiment kit is excellent for your child to explore the world of science. It includes everything you need for many fun and educational experiments, as well as a book with many more experiments you can do with everyday objects you can find around your home.
2 of 19 Image Credits: Amazon
Playz Ridiculous Inventions Science Kit for Kids
Boys and girls will have a ball learning about energy, electricity and magnets with this STEM-approved science project kit for kids. Kids can make boomerangs, magnetic force fields, spectrum rainbows and so much more. Plus, the fact-filled colorful instructions make learning fun.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My grandson has been working through this and I love the look on his face and tone of his voice when he calls to tell me whatever it is he learned. Many/most of the projects will require supplies you provide, but they are readily available at the grocery store if you don't have them in your pantry already.
3 of 19 Image Credits: Amazon
Crystal Growing Experimental Kit
Future scientist and geologists agree that this kit rocks! The science kit comes with enough materials to grow seven different crystals that can be displayed in the included clear case. It’s fascinating for the whole family to watch the crystals grow and develop like magic in about 10 days.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This set is AWESOME! I highly recommend it! I purchased it to grow crystals as a fun experiment and it did not disappoint.
4 of 19 Image Credits: Amazon
Grow N’ Glow Terrarium
This cool science kit lets kids design, plant, care for and grow a gorgeous tabletop garden. Parents love that the self-contained eco-system comes with everything — including a plastic container, potting mix, organic seeds, garden figurines, decorative sand and river stone — to create a lush landscape. It’s the perfect mix of science and art for all the creative kiddos.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
The final result is attractive, the seeds in our kit grew quickly (about 24 hours in we had sprouts) and well, and it was manageable for kids, who were able to take ownership of the project and feel proud of the results.
5 of 19 Image Credits: Amazon
My First Mind Blowing Science Kit
This 20-piece kit is the perfect way to introduce little ones to a love of science. It comes with enough chemicals and supplies to conduct multiple experiments based on the basics of chemical reactions and is recommended for children ages 6 and up with parental supervision. This is the perfect pick to introduce the STEM principles.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This is the most kid friendly and fun lab kit you can get. My kids are ages 2 and 4 and cannot get enough of this. Everything in the kit is high-quality, and this kit lasts a very long time.
6 of 19 Image Credits: Amazon
National Geographic Break Open 10 Geodes
Kids agree that this kit rocks because there’s a secret hiding inside the stones. They can’t get enough of breaking open the rocks to find the colorful crystals hidden inside. Because of the 100% natural geodes included in the kit, they’ll vary in size from as big as tennis balls to as small as ping-pong balls. The included full-color learning guide adds an extra level of information. Kids will have a blast learning about natural science, geology and how geodes are formed.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This pack had HUGE geodes that were amazingly beautiful when the children broke them open. It was such a great way to end our lesson on volcanoes and these geodes impressed on their minds the amazing power of our wonderful planet.
7 of 19 Image Credits: Amazon
Crayola Color Chemistry Lab Set
We like that this kit was developed by real Crayola scientists. Kids will like that it includes 50 experiments. Sixteen are ready to go out of the box, and there are 34 extra science activities explained in the step-by-step instructions. This kit is a great way to apply what kids are learning in school to a fun, hands-on colorful activity at home where everyone will enjoy the erupting volcano and the glow worms.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Everything washes up easily. The dyes included are extremely bright and vivid and seem like they would stain, but we've easily cleaned everything that got colored - hands, tablecloth, plates - with no issue at all. Even the awfully sticky and gluey slime washed off super easily with water and soap.
8 of 19 Image Credits: Amazon
Scientific Explorer Magic Science for Wizards Only Kit
This is a very unique science kit for middle school kids. It teaches the science behind how magic tricks work. It comes with chemicals, test tubes, a clear wizard wand, measuring scoops and star stickers to perform chemical reactions that kids can use in their future magic acts. Bonus points for the create-your-own test tube crystal ball, which allows little ones to see into their future and explore a whole new world of creativity.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
The kids are genuinely excited to see what will happen when we add this to that or drop in this color tablet after the last color tablet. They are engaged and excited (and occupied). Honestly, this set pretty much blew my expectations out of the water. It's been a real hit.
9 of 19 Image Credits: Amazon
AmScope 120X-1200X Kids Beginner Microscope STEM Kit
Every budding scientist needs a microscope. This one is perfect for younger lab lovers. Its durable metal construction frame and built-in rotating color-filter wheel are fabulous for little fingers. The 52-piece set has a carrying case and 2 AA batteries. Kids will spend hours looking at and learning about the 10 prepared slides and doing the included experiments.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
This is an amazing microscope for the price and works really well. I have a history of working with them and found it very easy to find the samples on the slides. They also showed up really nicely.
10 of 19 Image Credits: Amazon
Playz Kaboom! Explosive Combustion Science Lab Kit
If your kids like to blow things up, then this cool science kit is for them. There are hours of fun to be had with this kit that lets kids learn how to launch a rocket, make fizzy bombs and even an exploding bag. Parents appreciate that the fact-filled lab guide makes this kit even more educational, but your kids will be too busy having fun to even realize that they’re expanding their education.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
We bought this as a gift for my 8 year old niece. She loved the experiments included in this set and wanted to learn how everything worked. This set not only kept her interest, but caused her to ask ‘why’ which was the ultimate goal, so success! Highly recommended as a fun means of getting kids to learn some basic science!
11 of 19 Image Credits: Walmart
Discovery Extreme Chemistry Lab Kit
This science project kit teaches kids the science behind making galaxy spheres, color changing, glowing worms and a whole lot more. Little ones will learn how chemistry is an important part of everyday life. We love that with this one kit, you can set up a fully functioning scientific laboratory in the comfort of your own home.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My son is 4 and is obsessed with anything science. He picked this out at the store and I was nervous saying yes since it is for 12+. We did the worm experiment together today and it was great! It was so much fun and he is already asking if we can do it again!!
12 of 19 Image Credits: Walmart
Scientific Explorer Disgusting Science Kit
Do you know a kid that likes toots, boogers and stinky smells? This is the kit to get. The gross-out factor makes learning natural science a lot more fun. This top-rated science kit explains the science behind why we pass gas and what makes our feet smell funky. Kids will delight in grossing out their family with slimy snot and fake blood and can even grow friendly molds and bacteria. While that doesn’t sound so great to us grownups, trust that preteens will be hooked on this cool science kit.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
I almost didn’t buy this because it seems so gross but I am glad I did. Both of my sons would rather spend hours with this than being on their tablet. And that’s a win for me.
13 of 19 Image Credits: Walmart
4M Kitchen Science Kit
The kitchen transforms into a working laboratory with this inexpensive science kit. It’s a top parent pick because it uses basic household ingredients like vinegar or citrus fruit to conduct the experiments. Who knew you could generate electricity with just a lemon! We especially enjoy the vinegar-powered rocket launcher.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My little girl is fascinated by science so I got this kit as a way to introduce more STEM to her. She loves it and I love that all of the ‘chemicals’ are completely safe. Everything that makes this work came out of our kitchen.
14 of 19 Image Credits: Walmart
Made By Me Glow in the Dark Powerballs
Science doesn’t have to be all serious all the time. We love that this kit combines the facets of science and creativity. Kiddos have so much fun creating their own personalized bouncy balls by mixing simple ingredients with the glow powder and dark crystals. The kit makes 18 awesome balls that little scientists will love to collect and share with their friends.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My daughter is 12 and she wanted this product so badly that we went to three different stores in one night to find it. She opened it immediately, it was easy to make and the balls bounced great.
15 of 19 Image Credits: Walmart
Smithsonian Mega Science Lab 6 Kits in One
This mega kit has everything necessary to teach kids about dinosaurs, microscopic science, outer space, volcanoes, weather and more! It’s a great sampler science kit to pique the interest of future scientists and environmentalists. The six exciting activities will keep your little ones interested for hours.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
Love it! Got a science curious kid in your life? Great gift!!!
16 of 19 Image Credits: Target
Project Mc2 Gummy Jewelry Science Kit
Science can be fun, fashionable and delicious. This is the kit to get for kids who love accessories and fashion. They will adore making wearable, edible gummy jewelry. Kids get to see what happens when they mix water and gelatin to form the jewelry and then decorate it with edible glitter and colorful luster dust to make their own unique designs.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My niece loved this a lot. She has been having a blast making the jewelry and then eating it.
17 of 19 Image Credits: Target
Solar Rover Science Kit
Future mechanical and electrical engineers will delight in constructing a solar rover out of a soda can. This kit contains everything necessary to build the fully functional vehicle. It’s perfect for learning about construction, mechanics, engineering and different forms of energy. Every little scientist will feel a super sense of accomplishment when they get their rover up and running.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
I highly recommend this item. It uses a recycled can to make a vehicle and when it actually powered up and moved my son was amazed.
18 of 19 Image Credits: Target
ScienceWiz Light Science Kit
This award-winning kit is a necessity for every youngster’s laboratory. Kids and parents alike will be fascinated by the 25 different light-based activities that come in this set. They’ll be having a lot of fun while learning the fundamentals of light with lenses, reflection, refraction and much more. The step-by-step instructions are easy to follow and will have kids splitting light into their own amazing rainbows in no time.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My 6 year old son loves this science kit. It contains some very well thought out activities with easy to follow instructions (although, for a 6 year old, you're going to be helping along). Not just a toy...it really does teach some fundamental physics.
19 of 19 Image Credits: Amazon
The Big Engineering Makerspace
Instill a love of engineering and machinery at an early age with this amazing kit that contains over 260 reconfigurable building pieces. Boys and girls alike will spend countless days building any of the 22 functional machines in this kit like a hydraulic lift, robotic arm and even a selfie stick to snap cell phone pictures! The massive 136-page full-color manual breaks everything down into easy-to-follow instructions. Bonus: No batteries necessary.
What Reviewers Are Saying:
My kids love this. Each model has suggestions for finding out more about the scientific principles that relate to it. The manual indicates the difficulty level of each model with a three-dot system (easy, medium, difficult).
