10 Best Science Toys for Your Kids in 2024
Selina Marie
For children, learning is a part of life. They’re curious and thirsty for knowledge. While reading and math are sometimes the main focus for your child’s education, science is just as important. Science allows children to gain a better understanding of the world.
As they explore the world around them, they will discover the names of plants, animals, and objects. They will learn to be considerate of the environment. Instead of making you spend hours searching the Internet for the perfect science experiment or toy for your child. We created a list of the 10 best science toys that will stimulate your child’s development and provide them with tons of fun.
In a Hurry? The test winner after 17 hrs of research
Can be combined with other sets
Pieces are clearly labeled
Multiple ways to play
Durable components
10 Best Science Toys Reviewed
1. Lights Electronics Discovery Set
Can be combined with other sets
Pieces are clearly labeled
Multiple ways to play
Durable components
Younger kids may require adult assistance
Lights? Check. Music? Check. Getting to build your very own circuit board? Check and check! Children ages eight and up can build over 175 fun projects. The included manual arranges the projects by level of difficulty, thus your child can enjoy this set whether they are just starting to dabble into electronics or they are super tech savy.
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There is absolutely no downside to Elenco’s Snap Circuits Light Electronics Discovery Set. Not only does it give your child a real hands-on, no soldering required, experience building electronics but it also connects with your smartphone, mp3 player, voice, or even touch to create dazzling light shows in tune with their favorite music! There’s also an option to design your own board. It’s no surprise to us that this unique toy has earned multiple awards.
Educational Value
With every project, your child builds they will be learning about electricity. This science kit allows them to create working circuits, fiber optics, and devices. The projects allow your child to get a hands-on look at how electronics work.
Ease of Use
Since each project builds on previous skills, it keeps kids challenged and engaged. Each completed circuit really works, which motivates kids to keep playing.
2. SmartLab Squishy Human Body
Encourages learning
Increases hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills
Includes 9 organs, 12 bones, and two tools
Body Organizer sheet makes it easy to keep track of pieces
The organs are “sticky”, thus causing them to collect hair and dust easily
The SmartLab Squishy Human Body toy gives your child an up-close look at the inner workings of the human body. Children ages eight and up will enjoy taking a part the skeleton and will receive an anatomy lesson in the process.
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This 12-inch plastic model of the human body includes nine squishy organs that can be removed for a closer look. Along with the organs, your child can use the included tweezers and forceps to explore the 12 plastic bones and muscles. As your child takes parts out of the body they can lay them on the body organizer sheet to easily keep track of them.
Educational Value
The 24- page book included in the set will increase your child’s knowledge of anatomy as it contains a variety of information and facts on the body. The included anatomy book is full of real pictures that will show your child what organs really look like. The book also includes plenty of factual information that will provide them with the answers to their questions.
Ease of Use
The multiple tools included and the size of the model make this a great toy for several children to enjoy at once. Trying to picture organs inside the body can be hard for a child. Use this toy model as a visual aid to reinforce what your child is learning in school. Your child will increase their hand-eye coordination and fine motor skills as they use the tweezers and forceps to easily grab body parts.
3. Magic Bouncy Balls
Includes 5 re-usable molds
Non-Toxic materials
Simple instructions
Recommended for children age 3 and up
Some reviewers report that the bouncy balls dry out over time
A great way to get your child involved with science is by getting your child to learn the inner workings of a bouncy ball. With this how to create your own magic bouncy ball kit your child will learn what it takes to create their very own. This individual kit comes with 43 different shades of the rainbow that your child can choose from. This kit also includes over various color crystal powders, molds and very easy to follow instructions.
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Magic Bouncy balls are a great way for your little one to enjoy creating their own masterpiece. By learning to design and create their own ball your child will be able to learn the inner workings of how they are made. All of the ingredients with this kit are 100% safe for your child to use. They are also all non-toxic. This makes your own kit is a great project for rainy days or birthday activity.
Educational value
This is a great way for your child to learn and understand how something is created. By having your child make their own creation it’s also perfect for your little one to work on their fine motor skills. When following the easy step-by-step instructions your child will be able to work on understanding their directional skills as well. This is a great way to get your child to stay hands-on and become creative. If your child is doing this project in a group, it will also help teach your child about teamwork and getting along with others. This project will even help your child's socialization skills as well as it will help enhance their vocabulary.
Ease of use
This science kit comes with easy step by step instructions for your little one to follow along. It shouldn’t require parental supervision but if needed of course parents can help as well. Your child will be able to choose whatever color magic bouncy ball they prefer as well as their own crystal powder. This kit is a hit for anyone who is looking for a great gift for any young science enthusiast.
4. My First Mind Blowing Kit
Promotes STEM learning concepts
Includes materials
Recommended for children age 6 years or older
Explores chemical reactions and other basic science principles
Only a small amount of the required materials are included so projects are not repeatable
This kit by Scientific Explorers is a great way for your child to explore the scientific world. This kit comes with 20 different chemical reaction activities that your child will love to learn about. This is a great way for your little one to get interested in the STEM world and using their brain.
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This kit comes with chemicals which include citric acid, baking soda, and red cabbage powder. It also comes with plastic cups, sticks, pipette and measuring scoops. It even comes with an activity guide where your child will be able to choose which chemical reaction activity they’ll want to create. It is however designed and recommended that children ages 6 and up are to use this kit with parental supervision as well due to the chemicals that are being used.
Educational value
Science kits are extremely beneficial for your children. They help represent STEM-related activities. They are incredibly messy but your little one will be able to enjoy seeing how certain chemicals react to one another. Your child will be able to understand
Ease of use
This kit comes with easy to follow step by step instructions. It is recommended that parents supervise depending on the activity that their child is doing.
5. Grow 'n' Glow Terrarium
Enough materials for 2 growth cycles
Kid safe materials
All items included
Organic seeds
Amount of plant growth may vary
Plants have short life-span
For children who would like to learn how the ecosystem works, the Grow ‘n Glow Terrarium is an interesting science toy to start with. In just three to four days your child will have their own little habitat. It’s small size makes it easy for your child to display it on their nightstand, shelf, etc.
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It allows kids to build their very own miniaturized ecosystem as the terrarium toy already comes with everything that your kid will ever need. This kind of toy also comes with glow-in-the-dark decals to help turn your kid’s terrarium into a spectacular nighttime piece.
Educational Value
Enchant your child with the ability to create their own forest in a bottle while they learn about botany! Fast growing seeds ensure that your child won’t have to wait long to enjoy this ecosystem in a bottle.
Ease of Use
Easily customizable, this toy makes a great add-on for homeschoolers or as a side project for any child that combines art and science into the perfect STEAM activity.
6. Water Rocket Set
Instructions are easy to follow
Encourages Social Play
Fosters a love of engineering, science, and technology
Educational
Does not include a pump
With the Water Rocket Set, your child can build and launch their very own rocket. This educational kit is perfect for aspiring engineering and children who love science. After your child’s first launch, they can continue to use the kit again and again.
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This toy has everything your little one needs to transform an ordinary plastic water bottle into a rocket. However, you will need a bicycle pump to get the rocket to fly. A plastic bottle, bung connector, pump connector, plastic extension pipe, fin support and four fins are included in this set.
Educational Value
Building the rocket will foster a love of engineering and science in your child as well as increase their knowledge of technology. You won’t have to worry about the fun ending due to batteries dying as this rocket is solely powered by water and air pressure. Increase your child’s social skills and take this toy to the park. Once other children see your little one launching the rocket they are sure to rush over to join in on the excitement. The instructions even include a couple of paragraphs that explain the science behind the launching so your child will be learning while having fun.
Ease of Use
While the process may seem a little intimidating, the included instructions make building this rocket super easy for children over the age of ten. Once the rocket is constructed, your child can begin pumping air into the bottle. The combination of water and air pressure will send this rocket flying over 30 feet into the air.
7. Magic School Bus Chemistry Lab
Each experiment ingredient is non-toxic
Recognizable characters
Large amount of experiments (51)
Encourages observation with journal
Some plastic parts are fragile
Additional ingredients necessary (household items)
For kids who would like to experiment even with ordinary household stuff to check whether a chemical reaction will occur or not, the Chemistry Lab science toy from The Magic School Bus can provide the necessary direction and guidance to make such experiments safe.
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The set comes with 51 experiment cards that come in full-color illustration. This $27.99 set also comes with all the different lab tools your kid will ever need to perform an experiment.
Educational Value
Chock full of the educational fun that makes the Magic Schoolbus a time-honored favorite of kids and parents alike, this chemistry set is stuffed to bus roof with experiments that are certain to delight your own young scientist! With over 50 different experiments that explore chemistry, creative thinking, and the scientific process this is the science set that keeps on giving.
Ease of Use
The experiment cards are easy to understand, so if you have the ingredients on hand your child will have no problem experimenting.
8. National Geographic Crystal Growing Lab
Easy to use
Kit includes all supplies
Grows eight different colored crystals
Fosters a love of science and chemistry
Crystals may leach salt for a few days after growing
With the National Geographic crystal growing lab your child can either start a rock collection or add to an existing one. Everything your child will need is included in the kit so they can begin growing their crystals shortly after opening the box.
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Using the supplies your child will be able to grow eight brightly colored crystals. All of the crystals will be a different color. The entire growing process takes between seven and ten days. Once they are done growing your child can keep them on their shelf using the included display stand. The colors are pretty vibrant but using the night light on the display stand will really make the crystals shine.
Educational Value
This set is sure to foster a love of science and chemistry in your child. This kit will teach your child about the different crystal formations. Your child will also learn about chemical reactions as they mix the crystal powder with water and the seed rock.
Ease of Use
The included step-by-step instructions makes growing the crystals an easy process. Your child will simply need to mix the crystal powder with water, pour it into the silicone chamber, add the seed rock, and watch it grow. With the growing chamber being composed of silicone, removing the crystal is just as easy as growing them.
9. ThinkFun Gravity Maze
Cards range from beginner to expert
Stimulates cognitive development
Instructions are easy to understand
Allows children to make their own maze
Pieces click in tightly making them a little difficult to remove
ThinkFun’s award-winning gravity maze is loved by parents and is highly popular among children. The goal is simple, your child must build a maze that allows the marble to roll from start to finish.
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Inside the box your child will find nine-building towers, a game grid, three marbles, instructions, and sixty challenge cards. The cards range from beginner to expert so your child can continue to test their skills. Once they have worked through all the cards they can create their own paths.
Educational Value
This game will stimulate your child’s cognitive development and improve their critical thinking skills. Their problem-solving skills will get better each time they solve a card. As they progress through the cards they will be increasing their spatial reasoning, hand-eye coordination, and their logical reasoning.
Ease of Use
The high-quality instruction manual is clear and easy to understand, thus your child can begin playing immediately. In order to begin your child will need to select a card and build the tower on the grid to match the card. They will need to figure out where to add the specified towers so that the marble will travel smoothly.
10. Primary Lab Set
Also great for pretend play
Journal can be reused
Kid safe for independent play
Award winning toy
Materials for experiments not included
Experiment cards are fragile, we suggest laminating
Great for introducing preschoolers and beginning school age children on the wonders of science experiments, the Primary Science Lab Set is something that all kids need to have.
Read moreDesign
The set comes with realistic replicas in toy form of common laboratory tools such as test tubes, flasks, funnels, and goggles, just to name a few.
Educational Value
All of the products are safe and they do a good job at stimulating preschoolers’ curiosity, sense of discovery, exploration, and experimentation. This should help prepare them for higher science concepts.
Ease of Use
While many science toys are for older children, this is perfect for ages 3 - 6. The tools are perfectly designed for use by young scientists.
Criteria Used for Evaluation
Design
It should be understood that these toys are not designed to replace formal instruction in school but rather serve as an adjunct to learning. Science toys augment learning obtained from school. These reinforce the different concepts and principles by providing children with a more fun and enjoyable way to learn fundamental scientific concepts. These toys help children appreciate science as a very fun and enjoyable activity.
Educational Value
For a toy to be considered educational, it has to not only demonstrate a scientific concept, but it has to also explain that concept. The demonstration part needs to be engaging enough to keep children's attention. Since they have short attention spans, an engaging demonstration is the first step to learning.
Then, the toy must follow with an explanation of the science behind the demonstration. The absolute best of this list tie in aspects of a child's everyday life. The ultimate goal of educational play sessions is not just that they are introduced to scientific concepts but that they realize science is all around us. That is key to making the connection is fun.
Ease of Use
Your child, like all children, is a natural scientist. They are driven to explore, create, experiment, and discover from the moment they are born. It is our goal to provide you with suggestions of toys that will help you foster that innate curiosity and help nurture as your child grows. With that goal in mind we found science toys that were easy to use by the target age range. While some of the kits do require additional supplies, all of the needed items are easy to find.
Design Educational Value Ease of Use 
Science is one of the most exciting subjects one can ever learn in school. It is one of the major branches of knowledge that is focused mainly on the objective assessment, analysis, interpretation, and experimentation of the different things of the natural and physical world including the behavior and structure of these things. To put it simply, science pervades every aspect of human existence.
Let your child get messy when experimenting as it provides them with a more hands on experience thus increasing their learning.
Other Factors to Consider
Value
We believe we are also scientists as we employed a very systematic and organized approach to our identification of the top 10 science toys for kids in 2019. For the overall value of easy item listed, we have taken into consideration a host of factors including the scientific discipline to which the toy can be particularly useful, the manufacturer’s reputation, the overall educational and scientific features of the toy, and, of course, feedback from parents like you who only want the best for their kids.
Frequently Asked Questions
q: What is STEM or STEAM?
STEM lessons and toys refer to a method of teaching revolving around Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. STEAM refers to the same method while also incorporating the Arts as well.
q: Why is STEM important for my child?
Studies have found that introducing STEM learning at a young age helps children develop critical thinking skills and lays the foundation for innovation at later stages of their lives.
q: Are educational toys really going to help?
Absolutely! Children learn more quickly than adults because they retain everything they’re exposed to and educational toys help introduce complex concepts in ways that are entertaining and fun.
q: How do I know I’m choosing the right science toy?
Choosing the best toy for your child really comes down to two things: what will your child enjoy and what will stimulate them? Children are the most motivated when working with something that they enjoy and this motivation can carry on through all other aspects of their lives.
q: How can I help support my child’s love of learning?
Encourage questioning! Asking “how” and “why” will help drive your child to solve challenges in their lives and in the world around them.
q: What are some other science-related extracurricular options I can explore with my child?
Depending on where you live, there are several country-wide groups that encourage science and exploration such as the Science Olympiad, the FIRST Robotics, and the FIRST Jr. LEGO League are just a few.
q: What are some career paths that STEM learning might mean for my child?
STEM-based careers are as broad and varied as the children who explore them but by introducing your child to these fundamentals concepts early on, they have a better chance to lead the field as industrial engineers, software developers, medical scientists, chemists, economists, and the list goes on!
Sources
- , Engaging Children in STEM Education EARLY!, Informative Guide
- , The Science of Play: Making STEM part of the early-learning equation, Weekly Blog
- , Why STEM Education Is Important For Everyone, Informative Article
- , Guide to Choosing Educational Toys for Children, Guide
- , How to Choose Great Toys , How-To Guide
