Science Kits for Kids - chemistry, biology, astronomy, or physics, all ages, best price to find. Great Gift

1. Treating science as a fun activity can be one of the best ways to engage young people. Science, whether it’s chemistry, biology, astronomy, or physics, can feel disconnected from a young person’s life if they only see it as something from a textbook. But once science comes to life, lifelong curiosity can be sparked. Making an explosive baking soda volcano might seem like a game now, but it can inspire an appreciation for the more technical aspects of chemistry later in life. The same goes for any of the major scientific fields. One great way to inspire early engagement is by investing in a science kit.

Science kits often have the same flashy packaging of noneducational toys, so kids will still be excited to receive them. Some kits allow kids to combine ingredients to see how they react, such as making (safe) explosions. Others are more focused on Earth sciences. One of our favorite kits below lets children dig for real gemstones embedded in rocks.

Science kits make great gifts for children because not only are they fun, they’re educational. Kids might not even realize they’re learning something until they’ve already kindled a potentially lifelong interest in science. The options below are designed for kids, but since many have small parts, most are recommended for kids ages eight years and older. Plus, these kits are also a great way for adults to relearn some things they may have forgotten since grade school.

2. Legos are a fan favorite in kid-dom, so why not elevate the Legos experience by adding in some building, designing and chain reactions? You can with this kit from Klutz. It's got ten different machines to try out that'll move, transform and work with one another to teach your child about basic engineering principles and physics properties. It includes an 80-page instruction manual with very clear building steps laid out and has more than 30 Lego elements to play with.

Pros: Ten different machines to experiment with, familiar Legos play parts, clear instructions, high-quality construction.

Cons: The kit doesn't come with an easy way to store the Legos after you've first opened them.

3. This kit is made for kids, but it's pretty enough for a adults to keep in their home as well. This miniature terrarium allows kids to see plants grow, and there are enough cute details like the miniature rabbit and its mushroom house in the terrarium to keep kids entertained. The terrarium also has a built-in LED light so kids can look at the plants at night. Wheatgrass and chia seeds grow on top of the layers of soil, sand, and rocks.

Pros: Cute, eye-catching design. Good way for kids to learn about plants.

Cons: Terrarium is somewhat small.

4. Engineering. 

If your child has expressed an interest in engineering and technology, then this kit could be a great potential gift for them. It's designed for children aged eight and older, and it allows kids and teens to build functioning vehicles and robots. This kit isn't just limited to one car, though. There are 10 different open-ended challenges, including "create a vehicle with a suspension system" and "invent a tool that can cut a piece of paper." There are 19 wooden components that can be attached in varying ways, opening up nearly limitless possibilities.

Pros: Open-ended design allows kids to create unique, functioning vehicles and robots. Good for older or more advanced kids.

Cons: More expensive than some other options.

5. Who else remembers watching The Magic School Bus? Ms. Frizzle and her whole gang will inspire your child to learn all about volcanoes, slime, surface tension and more in this kit that syncs up with the popular television show and books from Scholastic. All experiments in this kit were developed by Harvard graduates, scientists and educators and tested rigorously by teams of Young Scientists at annual camps hosted by the Young Scientists Club. The kit comes with all the supplies you need except for household items and detailed explanatory cards that provide guidance and enthusiasm for your child as he or she embarks on a journey of joyful discovery.

Pros: Inspired by the popular household television program, developed by a team at Harvard, pre-tested by children, comes with all the supplies you need.

Cons: The simpler experiments may be too basic for older children.