Make Learning Fun With The Best Science Kits For Kids

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 with over 15 fascinating experiments that’ll blow them away, like racing dueling water tornadoes, for instance.

Kids 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 can usually do the experiments solo, younger ones may need a helping hand from a parent.

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.

This isn’t your typical garden. Rather than digging into soil and planting seeds, KiwiCo’s Crystal Chemistry Garden lets kids design their own garden using felt shapes and watercolors. Once they have their desired landscape, they’ll whip up a chemical solution to make the garden grow vibrant crystals. The kit gives kids the chance to dip their toes into chemistry, learning how crystals form and how they make up everything from salt to snow, while still allowing them to flex their creative muscles. According to the manufacturer, this kit is best for kids ages 5 and up. 

Overall, we’re big fans of KiwiCo (the brand makes our list of the Best Subscription Boxes For Kids more than once), so if crystal gardens aren’t your child’s cup of tea, the company has many other science-y kits to consider. 

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.

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), this kit takes 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 like peanut butter and jelly. This Water Lab is good for the littlest learners who aren’t old enough to toy around with a sophisticated chemistry kit. 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 suggest guided and open-ended play ideas.

Kids 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 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 can 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 to 12, though plenty of parents say their slightly younger children enjoyed doing it with help, too.

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. Finally, it has their very own virtual reality goggles to pair with your (or their) smartphone for an augmented reality space experience. Instructions on the page come to life via video, which is helpful for keeping kids engaged and willing to learn.