These days, kids don’t have to sit in front of a textbook to learn about the fascinating world of science. Whether you have a budding scientist or an absolute enthusiast at home, the best science toys help your child learn and discover new, fascinating things, all while having fun.
Best Science Toys – Experiments
The Dino Soap Making Kit, Green Science Solar Rover Kit, and LEGO Chain Reactions all focus on building something cool, while the Awesome Science Experiments book and My First Mind Blowing Science Kit will introduce scientific concepts to your kids via fun experiments.
Awesome Science Experiments for Kids
The Awesome Science Experiments for Kids is one of my favorite books that my kids own. I love how it encourages them to be creative and explore science. The book has over 100 different STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art, and math) experiments.
The book encourages kids to hypothesize, experiment, and make their own discoveries. Some of the projects include building a magnet-powered car, making a pencil sundial, and creating a fizzy rocket. Kids will even learn how to turn a lemon into a battery and discover how quicksand works.
I like the colorful images in the book, so kids can have a great visual of how the experiment should look and includes easy-to-follow directions. While you have to provide the equipment, I feel that having a book with all the experiments eliminates the clutter that some science kits bring.
Some of the everyday household items needed for the experiments are tape, empty bottles, jars, paint, paper, and rubber bands.
Finally, the experiments in the book are best suited for children ages 5-10. The book is excellent at encouraging children to learn and discover through STEAM activities.
Dan & Darci Dino Soap Making Kit
This activity is an excellent project for a rainy day. The Dino Soap Making Kit allows kids to create six dinosaur-shaped pieces of soap.
The kit comes with six soap-based blocks, four liquid colors (yellow, green, red, and blue), glitter (oh, yay!), two fragrances (lemon and green apple), three dinosaur molds, and several other tools to help kiddos make their dinosaur soap.
Kids can get creative with their colors as they decide which type of dinosaur they want to make. The included dinosaur molds are a T-Rex, Stegosaurus, and a Styracosaurus. What’s great is once they make their soap, they can take it right into their next bath. I’m all for anything that makes my children want to take a bath.
In addition to creating dino soap, kids can also learn facts about dinosaurs throughout the process. If you have a tiny paleontologist in the making, they will thoroughly enjoy making the soap, all while learning about their favorite extinct animals.
Finally, there is an instruction guide included, making it easy for kids to follow along. Once finished, each piece of soap measures about 4-5 inches.
My First Mind Blowing Science Kit
If you are excited to get your child interested in science, then add the My First Mind Blowing Science Kit to your shopping cart now. I can wait.
The 20 piece kit allows kids to learn the basics of science by performing chemical reactions and utilizing science tools. There are 11 included activities like testing (safe) household liquids to see if they are acids or bases. Other experiments include creating colorful jiggly crystals, make a test tube sunset, mix colors with your eyes, and create color-changing grapes.
Included in the kit are various powders your child will use, test tubes with stand, measuring scoops, plastic cups, pipette, cotton swabs, and an activity guide. Since ordinary materials are used for the activities, kids can do the experiments over and over again. Some household items needed include grape juice, coffee filter paper, baking flour, and red and blue pens.
Finally, the science kit is geared towards kids 6 and up. I, personally, would have no problem with my 5-year-old doing the activities with my supervision. Since there are some small pieces, you should use caution around younger kids who still are putting things in their mouths.
Little Tikes STEM Jr. Wonder Lab
The Little Tikes STEM Jr. Wonder Lab is perfect for the youngest of scientists in your house. Kids as young as two can enjoy this ultimate wonder lab. We can always count on Little Tikes to offer something for the little kids in the family.
While a little pricey, the lab has a lot to offer. For starters, it includes 20 hands-on experiments for kiddos using items from around the house. It does come with 20 tools, including test tubes, maze pieces, and maze balls, lab goggles, and stirring spoons. Since it only comes with one pair of goggles, I recommend buying an extra pair if you anticipate more than one child playing with the lab.
The lab itself is pretty awesome. It has storage areas for your child’s lab tools and spots to place their test tubes to prevent them from tipping over. In addition, the lab tray is removable to make for easy cleaning.
It also has over 40 sounds and phrases to help bring the lab to life. As a heads up, the leg with the on/off switch must be completely snapped in place for the sounds to work.
Finally, I like the full-color experiment cards that come with the set. It’s a great visual for kids to be able to follow and the step-by-step instructions show them exactly what to do. While older kids might have fun with it, the lab’s height is best suited for smaller scientists.
LEGO Chain Reactions
My kids love LEGOS, probably more than anything else they own. Frequently, they want to be extra creative in what they build, and I highly encourage it. The LEGO Chain Reactions is more than just your average book.
The spiral-bound book comes with 33 LEGO pieces and has 80 pages of instructions to help your child create 10 different chain-reaction machines. Your child can also use their own engineering skills and build their own design. Keep in mind, you will need a supply of LEGOs at home (right around 200 pieces) to put together the machines. If you are like my house, you have thousands, so you should be just fine.
Kids will thoroughly enjoy the activities included in the book, like making a machine to toss a gum wrapper in the trash or one that can ring a bell. The difficulty of the activities ranges from easy to more advanced, allowing LEGO builders of multiple ages to experience the fun.
Finally, the LEGO Chain Reactions book is geared towards kids eight and up. I will say, my 5 and 7-year-old are LEGO fanatics and would absolutely love every part of this.
For more LEGO fun, consider one of the best LEGO sets for kids ages 4-6.
Bubble Science Chemistry Lab
If you think bubbles are only for small kids, think again. The Bubble Science Chemistry Lab brings bubble blowing and science together.
The set contains bubble solution, along with multiple tools for blowing bubbles. While it does come with traditionally flat-shaped wands, it also has pyramid and cube wands. Experiments and neat bubble tricks help kiddos learn about the science of bubble geometry. Who knew that was a thing?
The bubble solution isn’t your regular old bubbles either. Kids can create an unbreakable bubble and giant ones, way bigger than their heads. The kit also includes recipes so kids can create their own bubble mixture.
If your child is interested in learning more about bubbles, the instructions give them all sorts of facts to blow their minds or help them blow bigger bubbles.
Finally, the Bubble Science Chemistry Lab is best suited for kiddos ages five and up. Since the kit has some unique bubble blowing tools, I feel younger kids may get frustrated if they cannot blow bubbles.
Green Science Solar Rover Kit DIY Solar Power
The Green Science Solar Rover Kit DIY Solar Power allows children to create three different DIY solar vehicles while learning about solar energy.
The kit includes the supplies and step-by-step instructions to build a solar rover with a soda can or other items. Once each project is done, kids can place them in direct sunlight and watch how the sunlight turns into electrical power for the motor.
I really love projects where kids can see the benefit of their hard work. The solar activities in the kit allow kids to build and then put it in motion. While this isn’t the best project for rainy days, since you need direct sunlight for the solar panels to correctly operate, I feel kids will thoroughly enjoy the building process and the result.
Finally, it’s an excellent way for kids to learn the basics of electricity, energy conversion, and simple circuit. The Power Science Kit is best suited for kids ages 8 and up. There are small pieces, so make sure to keep them away from younger siblings.
Best Science Toys – Geology
National Geographic Break Open Geodes are best for younger kids, ages 6 and up, while Crystal Growing Experimental Kit is best for older kids, ages 10 and up.
NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Break Open 10 Premium Geodes
The NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Break Open 10 Premium Geodes are a bit messy, and I recommended playing with them outside. Despite the mess, your kids will thoroughly enjoy the process.
Kids will enjoy breaking open the rocks to find beautiful crystals inside. What I find neat is that each geode varies in size. Your child might get one as small as a ping-pong ball or as large as a tennis ball. Each one measures between 1.25 to 2.25 inches in diameter.
The set comes with a full-color learning guide where kids can find out all about how geodes form. The geodes have been hand-selected to provide kids with the best quality available. The STEAM activity encourages discovery and fun for children ages 6-15.
Finally, while you will need to supply the hammer, the kit comes with goggles, a display stand, ten geodes, and the learning guide. I recommend using a chisel with a hammer if you happen to have one available. Do not attempt using a knife; otherwise, someone could get injured.
As a tip, to create less of a mess, place the geode in an old sock and let your child take the hammer to it. While they won’t get to see the geode break open, you won’t have as much of a mess to clean up.
Crystal Growing Experimental Kit
The Crystal Growing Experimental Kit is perfect for any child with an interest in science, particularly in geology. What’s cooler than growing crystals? Not much!
The kit comes with everything your child needs to grow seven of their own crystals. They even get display cases to keep them after they’ve grown. What I love is the kit comes with everything you need to begin. So, you don’t have to search all-around your house for random materials.
The kit includes growing compounds and mixtures, stirring supplies, step-by-step instructions, and seven display domes. The crystals grow in a variety of colors, which are just downright beautiful. They make for great decoration in your child’s room when they are finished.
In addition, the crystals last for a long time. I’m talking years here, parents. Also, they start growing immediately and are fully grown within 7-10 days. The perfect activity for those who verge on the impatient side. The crystals are fragile once completely grown, so it’s a good idea to put them right in their display case and limit handling.
Finally, the crystal growing kit is recommended for kids ages 10 and up. Like some of the others on the list, I feel that kids a year or two younger would do just fine with the kit. You know your child best and can determine if you think it’s appropriate.
With that being said, it’s crucial to keep the materials out of reach of young children. The chemicals can be toxic if consumed.
Best Science Toys – Biology
The Light-up Terrarium Kit, Geosafari Jr. Talking Microscope, and Nature Bound Bug Catcher are all best for younger kids, but the Nature Bound Bug Catcher is the most affordable.
Dan & Darci Light-up Terrarium Kit
The Dan & Darci Light-up Terrarium Kit is like having a garden in a jar and allows your kiddo to have it right on their nightstand.
The kit comes with a ton of stuff, making it easy for your child to set it up by themselves if they desire. There is an instruction booklet they can follow along with to help the process. The jar has a neat light-up lid and comes with a USB charging cable to keep the light going night after night.
In addition, you will receive soil, wheatgrass seeds, and chia seeds to help grow the garden. You also get to use decorations like a miniature bunny and mushroom house. The kit also contains blue sand and white river rocks to add some color to the terrarium.
The steps to put it together are pretty straightforward, and you add everything one layer at a time. During the day, you should place the terrarium in sunlight to help the ecosystem grow, but at night the LED light automatically turns on to illuminate the inside.
The battery for the LED lid charges in about 2-3 hours, so it’s always a good idea to charge it during the day so it’s ready for nighttime. There is an on and off switch for the light if you don’t want it to illuminate all night, especially since one charge lasts about 5 hours.
Finally, the jar sits 4 inches in width and 6 inches in height. A spray bottle is included with the kit so children can efficiently water their terrarium. It will take about three days before your child will see their first growth. The kit is recommended for children ages six and up. I don’t think I’d have an issue with my 5-year-old getting this. He may need a little help putting it together, but other than that, I know he would really enjoy the terrarium.
Educational Insights Geosafari Jr. Talking Microscope
For smaller children, the Educational Insights Geosafari Jr. Talking Microscope is a great way for them to learn about plants, animals, and household items without the concern of handling the actual specimens.
While the microscope kit comes with 20 slides, they have full-color images on them instead of the specimen. In total, there are 60 images of various items for your child to look at through their microscope.
In addition, the microscope has the voice of “Wildlife Warrior” Bindi Irwin, who goes over 100 facts and questions. I am a fan of interactive toys because I feel like children learn a lot from them, so I really like this feature on the Geosafari Jr. microscope.
There are two modes of play, fact mode, and quiz mode. It’s a great way for your child to test themselves on what they just learned. They can also choose from English, Spanish, French, and German.
Finally, you will need 3 AAA batteries for the microscope. The recommended age for the set is 4-7 years old. I do think older kids may get bored since it only comes with a certain amount of slides and they are images as opposed to actual specimens.
Nature Bound Bug Catcher
Catching bugs is a childhood memory of mine. While I’m not quite running around looking for them now, my kids would appreciate the Nature Bound Bug Catcher.
We’ve done the route of poking holes on top of a jar, but nothing quite compares to an actual bug catcher. The 7-piece kit comes with everything your kiddo needs to catch bugs in the backyard and learn about what they caught.
For starters, kids receive a handy storage bucket to hold all their supplies. Supplies include a net for catching, tweezers, bug tongs, a 3-part bug habitat, a petri dish, magnifying glass, and an activity booklet. The booklet is more of a pamphlet, but it shows kiddos what’s included and also pictures of critters they may find around them.
Finally, what I like about this kit is kiddos as young as 3 can play with it. Oftentimes, science toys are geared towards older kids, so I appreciate smaller children can use the bug catcher kit.
Best Science Toys – Chemistry
The Ooze Labs Chemistry Station is the most organized and mess-free kit for science experiments at home.
Thames & Kosmos Ooze Labs Chemistry Station
The Thames & Kosmos Ooze Labs Chemistry Station is my top pick in at-home chemistry kits for kids. My favorite part of this kit is that your child gets a whole station to set up for their experiments.
I’ve dealt with plenty of chemistry kits between my children, and I don’t enjoy the mess they provide. (I’m also that un-fun mom who despises Play-Doh.) However, having a chemistry station helps contain everything in one place and is a designated spot for experiments. The chemistry kit comes with enough equipment for children to perform 20 experiments.
In addition, the station base comes equipped with places for children to place their test tubes and other supplies. Kids will get to engage in fun experiments like making color-changing slime, oozing bubbles, and creating an underwater volcano. The kit comes with a manual and ten double-sided experiment cards. Kids can clip the cards to the station base as well.
Finally, be prepared to have some uncommon extra supplies available for the experiments. You will need items like red cabbage, sand, soil, and a jelly jar. However, the kit does come with 57 pieces of equipment.
If chemistry sets are right up your child’s alley, we have a list of the best chemistry sets for kids. Despite potential messes, I think it’s an excellent way for kids to learn about making a hypothesis and being hands-on with science.
Science Toys Compared
The table below compares only the recommended products on this page. A low or high Price means it is low or high compared to the other products listed. The Popularity Score reflects how often readers click on and buy the product. The Quality Score is our assessment of the overall performance and satisfaction with the product compared to others in the table.
| Little Tikes STEM Jr. Wonder Lab | $$$$ | 3.9 | 9.2 |
| Thames & Kosmos Ooze Labs Chemistry Station | $$$$ | 9.1 | 9.2 |
| NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Break Open 10 Premium Geodes | $$$$ | 9.9 | 9.2 |
| Educational Insights Geosafari Jr. Talking Microscope | $$$$ | 9.9 | 9.2 |
| Crystal Growing Experimental Kit | $$$ | 9.9 | 8.8 |
| Dan & Darci Light-up Terrarium Kit | $$$ | 9.9 | 9.0 |
| Green Science Solar Rover Kit DIY Solar Power | $$$ | 9.1 | 8.8 |
| Nature Bound Bug Catcher | $$$ | 8.0 | 9.2 |
| Dan & Darci Dino Soap Making Kit | $$$ | 9.9 | 9.2 |
| LEGO Chain Reactions | $$$ | 9.9 | 9.0 |
| My First Mind Blowing Science Kit | $$ | 9.5 | 9.2 |
| Bubble Science Chemistry Lab | $$ | 6.2 | 8.8 |
| Awesome Science Experiments for Kids | $$ | 9.9 | 9.4 |
How to Choose a Science Toy
Age Appropriate
There is no reason you shouldn’t introduce younger kiddos to science. However, you need to be mindful of what you are giving them to ensure it is age-appropriate. For this reason, I made a point to find the best science toys for a variety of ages.
While most of the toys are geared towards older kids, some science kits keep the younger kiddos in mind. Finding something that doesn’t include small pieces or chemicals is an excellent option for smaller scientists.
What Area of Science?
Science is a big, wide world and has different aspects to it. When choosing the best science toys, it was essential to find a diverse grouping of science activities. The list provides science experiments, building crystals, bug collecting, learning about chain reactions, and more.
With the best science toys, kids can learn about biology, chemistry, math, physical science, engineering, and much more. These toys are great for homeschool projects too! Science is such a broad area and it’s exciting for kids to discover all its components. I mean, anything that involves making a volcano erupt is cool in my book.
FAQs about Science Toys
Why are science toys good for kids?
For starters, science toys help make the learning process fun. While I enjoyed science class when I was younger, I loved science lab. I thoroughly enjoyed doing experiments and testing out various processes. The best science toys encourage children to learn and make it easier for them to discover different parts of science while doing hands-on activities.
Science experiments are also an excellent way for children to learn about the scientific method. Kids can learn how to form a hypothesis, make observations, analyze data, and finally make a conclusion.
What’s the difference between STEM and STEAM?
If you’ve ever bought a science toy for your child, there is a good chance it was labeled either STEM or STEAM. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and math. STEM has a main focus on science, while STEAM incorporates all the parts of STEM plus the arts.
Regardless of which one you go for, the STEM and STEAM activities both encourage discovery and learning. STEM activities can also help boost creativity and help children develop communication skills.
When should children begin using science toys?
While most of the best science toys are geared toward kids at least 7 or 8 years old, it’s never too early to start interest in science in your child. Even just walking around your yard and having children observe what they can see is a way to introduce science. They can come home and draw a picture of their observation.
With any subject, I feel like there is something for children of all ages. Sometimes you will have to alter activities to fit their age. Fostering an interest in science at an early age will get them even more excited about it when they can join in on the fun of the experiments and activities listed in this article.
If your child loves space, check out our list of the best solar system toys.
