Best Science Kits For Kids 2023

The best science kits for kids aren’t rocket science, which is good news for parents. Instead, they’re relatively easy to use, educational and pique kids’ natural curiosity with cool hands-on experiments, from erupting volcanoes to tornadoes in a bottle. Plus, they give parents a much-needed break from all the “I’m bored” complaints on a rainy day or lazy afternoon.

Help the little ones learn and keep them entertained with the best science kits for kids. Dinosaur Eggs Toys Water

Best Science Kits For Kids 2023 - Forbes Vetted

“A great science kit allows children the opportunity to think and act like a scientist,” says Ronni McGrath, an adjunct professor of early childhood education at Niagara University College of Education and a science teacher of 20 years. She suggests looking for science kits that allow kids to explore and experiment beyond basic step-by-step demonstrations with an expected outcome. “A great science kit might begin with a demonstration-style activity but then leaves room for open exploration of the questions that arise after,” she says. “This is true science and what parents should look for in a science kit.”

As for the benefits of playing with a science kit? There are plenty. “Children being engaged with their parents and seeing the value they place on science will likely result in the confidence to ask questions, the acceptation of failure as a part of learning, the desire to learn and so much more,” tells McGrath. It also encourages their creativity, teaches problem-solving skills and introduces kids to STEM subjects like chemistry, physics, coding, robotics and more in a fun way that doesn’t feel a lot like “learning” at all.

Whether you have a little insect lover on your hands or a tween who’s curious about coding, we’ve curated the best science kits for kids of all ages and interests. Read on to learn more about our favorites.

Are you even a scientist if you’ve never made your own volcano? This classic kit from National Geographic receives top marks—for quality, fun and ease of use—from more than 17,000 parents and kids alike. It’s certain to captivate your little rock collector or geologist instantly with over 15+ fascinating experiments that’ll blow them away, like racing dueling water tornadoes, for instance.

Kids will grow real crystals, dig for (fool’s) gold, create a glow-in-the-dark vortex, erupt a reusable volcano and so much more. There’s also a detailed guide, so they’re learning as they go. While older kids will likely be able to do the experiments solo, younger ones may need a helping hand from a parent. Chances are, you’ll be just as into it as they are, though.

What kid wouldn’t want to boil boogers, make farting slime or dissect a brain? For the tween who can’t get enough of gross stuff, this super popular science kit from National Geographic is sure to be a hit. It comes with 15 disgusting but delightfully-satisfying experiments to keep them off the iPad and busy creating everything from atomic pee to test tube vomit. The instructions are extra kid-friendly with illustrations for each step, and there’s a booklet inside with 30 bonus experiments kids can do at home—all using common household items—so the fun doesn’t stop once the included experiments are over.

Each experiment clues kids in to the science at work as it’s happening, so they’ll learn about polymers, chemical reactions, fluorescence and more while they play.

If your kid’s idea of a good time is going on a nature hunt to catch bugs, collect leaves or get their hands dirty (literally), then this kit will take their outdoor exploration to the next level. There are more than 21 hands-on-activities to dig into, from measuring the height of trees and testing the pH of soil and rainwater to inspecting bugs under UV light.

There’s also a a 32-page science experimentation book and real science tools to make it official, including a magnifying nature scope, insect collector, pH test strips and nature charts to identify all sorts of bugs, rocks, trees and plants on your morning or nightly family walk. A clip-on macro lens compatible with smartphones and tablets lets budding entomologists get incredibly close-up, zoomed-in views of tiny creatures and objects.

Kids and water go together better than peanut butter and jelly. For the littlest learners who aren’t old enough to toy around with a sophisticated chemistry kit, this Water Lab is the best investment ever. Parents don’t have to stress about cleaning up a giant mess either. Just plop them in the bath or set up the water table outside, and complete the seven hands-on experiments with help from the waterproof instruction cards, which offer guided and open-ended play ideas.

They’ll explore important science concepts like flow, volume, buoyancy and more as they splish and splash to their heart’s content. Once the science experiments are over, the included pieces (bubble wands, a splash syringe, floaty boat tray and more) double as water toys to keep the fun going.

Future engineers will love the thrill and challenge of building their very own kinetic sculptures, including a DJ octopus spinning records, a yeti with punching arms, a pterodactyl with flapping wings and five more fun automota that actually move. Each model includes a papercraft character kids will fold and link with the correct LEGO elements. There’s also a detailed 64-page book with clear instructions to help kids bring their own kinetic creatures to life—plus so much STEM content to take in about axles, cams, cranks and more engineering fundamentals in everyday machines.

This STEM kit is targeted toward kids 8-12, though plenty of reviews state their slightly younger children enjoyed doing it with help, too.

If you’re looking for an affordable, top-rated and large science kit that’ll ensure your kids (ages 3-12) never get bored again, look no further. From underwater volcanoes and rainbow rainstorms to wiggly worms and ice cream monsters, this Surprising Science Kit is jam packed with 102 fascinating experiments for kids to geek out on. And many of them, like making your own lava lamp and bouncy balls, means tangible things for kids to play with afterward, too.

There are a ton of pieces and tools (a beaker, measuring cups, droppers, goggles and more), but everything is clearly labeled and the step-by-step instructions are simple to follow, so finding what you need and getting started isn’t a chore.

And for the kid who always wants to know why, there’s a clear explanation for each experiment so they can actually understand the science at work.

Bill Nye is basically a legend in the science world, so you know this space-themed, virtual reality kit is out-of-this-world good. With hundred of positive reviews from real parents and their kiddos, Nye’s VR science and activity set takes tweens into the outer depths of space to explore the science behind our solar system galaxy and universe with a 96-page interactive book.

There are 15 physical crafts, including crystal mountain and elephant toothpaste projects, and activities sprinkled throughout, as well as games, puzzles and more activities, not to mention their very own virtual reality goggles to pair with your (or their) smartphone for the ultimate augmented reality space experience. Instructions on the page come to life via video as well, which is helpful for keeping kids engaged and willing to learn.

Fizzy potions. Stretchy slime. Their own perfume. What’s not to love? This bestselling science kit features over 50 cool, kid-friendly experiments perfect for budding scientists to get their hands wet as they get hands-on creating their own water fireworks, walking water rainbows and more. They’ll stretch those mental muscles, tap into their creative side and practice important problem solving and critical-thinking skills, all while having fun.

The instruction manual makes it easy for little ones to follow along and visualize each step, with kid-friendly illustrations to show them what to do next—though parental involvement is likely needed for the youngest ones. The kit contains everything you need, minus some common household products, to conduct each experiment.

If you’re doing your best to minimize screen time but have a kid who’s curious about coding, this adorable, app-free Thames & Cosmos kit is worth purchasing. Sammy, a super cool (and cute) PB&J sandwich robot teaches kids as young as kindergarten through second grade basic coding principles using physical code cards—no tablet or smartphone required.

To program Sammy, you simply lay down a sequence of code cards and an OID optical scanner on the bottom of the robot reads them and loads the program. Then kids place the robot on a grid of map cards and watch it spring into action. Kids can program Sammy and five more fun robots, like a penguin and fire truck, to move in different directions, play sounds, light up, complete tasks and so much more. There are 30 building and coding lessons in total included, which progress in difficulty to suit kids of different ages and skill levels.

For the hard-to-impress teen who’d rather lock themselves in their room and listen to music all day, this Kinetic Light-Up Speaker from KiwiCo is the perfect gift. They’ll learn everything there is to know about the science of sound and electrical engineering as they build a light-up, USB-powered speaker with their own hands, constructing the circuit from scratch and connecting the lights with sounds, then watching the foam balls bounce to the beat of their favorite tunes once they’re finished.

The speaker connects wirelessly to play music from their phone, so they’ll actually use it. But the learning doesn’t stop there, either. Kids will enjoy experimenting with different tempos and types of music over time to see which tunes make the colorful foam balls “dance” the best. A 37-page instruction booklet is easy for kids to follow and learn the ins and outs of resistors, capacitors, transistors and more as they build.

I spoke with a professor of early childhood education, mom of three and former science teacher of 20 years to discover exactly what parents should look for in a science kit, including criteria like ease of use, clear, kid-friendly instructions and opportunities to experiment beyond basic demonstration-style activities. I also looked at real parent reviews and average-star ratings, as well as aimed to include a variety of quality science kits targeted to children of different ages and interests.

I’m the Forbes Vetted deputy editor, currently living near Detroit. After serving in the Air Force where I operated satellites and planned space launches, I have had a varied career as a tech journalist, wildlife photographer, scuba instructor and podcaster (including co-hosting the popular Battlestar Recaptica).

I am the author of nearly three dozen books about photography, mobile tech, and more; I’ve even authored a digital interactive storybook for kids. I spent eight years as a content lead at Microsoft where I helped to develop Windows Vista and Windows 7. And before joining Forbes Vetted, I contributed to many popular websites including CNET, PC World, How-To Geek and Business Insider.