Hands-On Science Kits

Boat Engineer

• Durable storage case
• 32-page illustrated storybook

Read the funny story of two inquisitive young engineers, Ty and Karlie, and their family’s robots, Huxley and Remus. Build simple models of the boats they encounter in the story. The boats actually float on water, making for fun and easy experiments around the sink or bathtub.

The Boat Engineer story centers around Huxley and Remus. Their boat-building adventure starts when a robotic fish they are testing goes haywire and swims away uncontrollably. Huxley and Remus build a rowboat in their effort to catch up with and capture the robotic fish. They find the rowboat is too slow, so they build a fanboat to go faster. As the story continues, the robots make their way downstream and eventually out to the ocean. Along the way, they must build new boats to solve specific problems and perform tasks. They build a sailboat, riverboat, speedboat, fireboat, tugboat, freighter, catamaran, and a hydroplane.

From each humorous segment of their silly adventure, the robots learn something new about boats. As you follow the story, you can build models of the ten boats featured in the story. Large, colorful plastic building pieces make it easy for small hands to put the models together.

This 52-piece science kit combined with the beautifully illustrated storybook provides an engaging way to teach simple engineering concepts to preschool-age kids. Start laying the groundwork for strong STEM related skills and comprehension. This kit helps develop fine motor skills, science and math skills, visual-spatial skills, and reasoning and concept development skills.

Ages 3+ From Thames & Kosmos

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This timeless scientific instrument has been reimagined in a fresh, new design. Experiment with the gyroscope to learn about the physics of motion, forces, and gravity. Learn about gyroscopic forces, and see and feel them in action. Have fun getting your gyroscope to do classic physics tricks. Make the gyroscope balance on a tabletop, on a stand, and on a string. Spin the gyroscope inside the included clear plastic sphere and see and feel the forces acting on the sphere, which doubles as a storage case for your gyroscope. Ages 8+ Learn More

Bring out the inner engineer in your child with the new Techno Gears Lights & Sounds Construction Sets.

Among these collectible, fascinating kits is Rockin' Rover, with more than 80+ colorful construction pieces like translucent colored plastic and flashy chrome parts, rotating gears, smooth-moving chains, and more!

The mechanics of these Techno Gears sets include gears and will introduce and allow them to experience the science of gear ratio.

These products align with and support STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) standards.

Requires two “AA” batteries (not included) and three button cell batteries (included).

Recommended for ages 6+ years.

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Kids love to build, and the Techno Gears Construction Sets are the perfect way to encourage your little engineer, architect, or mechanic! With more than 60+ colorful construction pieces included with Techno Gears Monster Truck, the assembly is challenging and rewarding, while the destination possibilities are endless! Imagine romping through mountainous terrain, or zooming past the animals in the zoo, or the players in the ballpark, creativity will soar with the rugged Techno Gears Monster Truck! This product aligns with the Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) standards. Requires two “AA” batteries (not included). Ages 6+ years. Learn More

Rounding out the Techno Gears Marble Mania Mini Series, the award-winning Zoomerang set includes more than 80 color translucent pieces to build and create your own marble and gear run. Closely follow the colorfully detailed instruction manual to build an impressive structure and watch your child enjoy the extended play value and experience cause and effect. Once completed, the corkscrew marble lifter can be cranked to elevate the marble to the top of the build where the track and the fun begin. Foster a creative hands-on experience and make learning fun by introducing your child to the remarkable world of engineering and mechanics! Recommended for ages 6+ years. Learn More

Finished projects range in size from 4.4"x3.7"x4.3" to 9"x9"x10.2".

These robots are powered by direct sunlight. NO BATTERIES REQUIRED.

Once you have completed all 12 model builds, use your creativity and try your own constructions.

Detailed instructions take you through each step.

Your Rivet-Rex 12 kit contains unique components & parts to construct hydro-mechanical robots that operate like animals.

Construct 12 different hydro-mechanical solar powered robots that mimic animal movement.

After assembling a model, the user can easily reassembly components into a different model.

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Assemble and release this smart robotic crab and watch it scuttle around on the table top. It will detect the edges and won't fall off. Requires one AA battery and screwdriver (not included) /!\ WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD—Small parts. Not for children under 3 yrs. Learn More

This three-in-one coding robot is ready for coding-filled rescue missions! Preschoolers save the day the coding way when they explore early STEM fun with the Switcheroo Coding Crew. Here' s how each mission with this coding toy for kids unfolds: kids draw a coding rescue challenge card, transform their coding robot into one of three vehicles (police car, fire truck, or construction vehicle) and code to save the day! Along the way, they'll learn new skills, from 100% screen-free STEM and coding to critical thinking, logic, and more! When they' re not saving the day in Code Mode, kids can also snap a new vehicle shell onto their coding robot and discover the light, sounds, and tricks of Play Mode. Each vehicle shell comes with its own cool secrets! The Switcheroo Coding Crew comes with a 46-piece interactive playset, so kids can follow along with challenges or design their own STEM and coding rescue challenges!

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Cocoa-Mint Dream? Citrus Creamsicle? What will your designer perfume creation be? Follow your nose through the candy shop as you explore the science and art of making perfumes. Experiment with dozens of fragrance combinations on your way to becoming a master perfumer. This kit is a complete perfumer's laboratory with six candy-themed fragrances, special workstation, and all the tools and containers you need to make more than 24 sweet-smelling perfume combinations. 

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It’s time to have some yummy gummy fun with this awesome bubble gum making kit! Mix up your gum base and then sweeten it with sugar. Next, use the three included flavors to make your gum more delicious than ever. Choose from watermelon, orange, and classic bubble gum — or try them all! Finally, cut it up, package it, and label it with stickers to give away as gifts. While you make these yummy treats, you’ll also learn about the scientific properties of elastic materials. Food ingredients included. Learn More

Grow your own sunflowers inside a pot that you decorate yourself!

This kids gardening activity is easy for kids and comes with everything you need inside

Illustrate and write your own gardening story in an included mini hardcover book! Use colorful markers and stickers to bring your personal sunflower story to life Growing sunflower seeds is easy and great for the environment!

Sunflowers are good for pollinators and can be harvested by animal friends or saved to plant even more yellow flowers

This gardening kit features kid-friendly and non-toxic gardening and crafting supplies

Ages: 6+

Contents Include: plastic flower pot with saucer, potting mix, mini book, sticker sheet, mini markers, instructions, sunspot sunflower seeds

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Structural Engineering: Bridges & Skyscrapers

With this kit of modular building pieces, you can learn the basics of structural engineering by conducting a series of 20 model-building experiments.

Each model demonstrates a basic principle of mechanical physics or structural engineering in a hands-on way.

• Parents' Choice Gold Award Winner 2017
• Featured in Purdue University’s Engineering Gift Guide for 2017

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Keep your eyes on the skies with this all-in-one weather station.
This 16-piece weather monitoring kit is perfect for the budding meteorologist in your family. Children will measure rainfall and temperature, gauge windspeed and wind direction, test for acid rain, and demonstrate how soil filters rainwater. The 32-page illustrated book gives kids a thorough understanding of how high-and-low-pressure areas affect local weather.
Kids will learn about climate zones around the world and discover the causes and effects of extreme weather, lightning, tornadoes, and hurricanes. A cloud identification chart and weather tracker ideas will have them challenging their local weathercaster for the most accurate predictions!
Includes base station, rain gauge, weathervane, compass, anemometer, thermometer, hygrometer, condensation test tube, and a 32-page illustrated book.

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Learn all about the ingenious Sir Isaac Newtons laws of motion which are the basis of classical mechanics that still describe most everyday life situations. Observe the effects of kinetic and potential energy and see first-hand how energy is transformed from one form to the other. Build 8 working models such as a ballistic catapult, a gravity fan, a collision car, a moving cabin, a balloon powered plane and a dragster. You can find easy-to-follow building instructions for all models either online or in the booklet included. The booklet provides detailed explanations of the different scientific principles applied and incorporates innovative experimental activities for hands-on learning. A Quiz section is also available to challenge your newly acquired knowledge! Conduct thorough experiments and discover: - Newton's first law of motion and the relation between force and motion; - Newton's second law of motion and the relation between force, mass and acceleration; - Newton's third law of motion and the physics of action and reaction forces; - the concept of Momentum; - the fundamental properties of energy; - what factors affect potential and kinetic energies. Ages 8+ Learn More

Get the MECHANICS: Wheels, Axles and Inclined Planes set and learn how Wheels and Axles use friction to move objects easily and how big tyres compare to small tyres. Find out how an Inclined Plane can be used for lifting heavy objects and how another form of inclined plane, the wedge, is used in every day applications. Build 14 working models such as a launching platform, a door with knob, a well, an airport staircase, an experimental ramp and a splitting wedge. You can find easy-to-follow building instructions for all models either online or in the booklet included. The booklet provides detailed explanations of the different scientific principles applied and incorporates innovative experimental activities for hands-on learning. A Quiz section is also available to challenge your newly acquired knowledge! Conduct thorough experiments and discover. Ages 8+ Learn More

Get the MECHANICS: Levers & Linkages set and learn how Levers can be used for increasing an applied force or changing the direction of motion. Find out how you can create models with complex motion by connecting many levers together and learn how these Linkages can be applied to various machines. Build 16 working models such as a seesaw, a movable weight scale, a wheelbarrow, a parking gate, a toy with moving figures, a pantograph and two types of linkages. You can find easy-to-follow building instructions for all models either online or in the booklet included. The booklet provides detailed explanations of the different scientific principles applied and incorporates innovative experimental activities for hands-on learning. A Quiz section is also available to challenge your newly acquired knowledge! Conduct thorough experiments and discover: - the relation between fulcrum, effort and load; - how the three classes of levers are formed; - how to use linkages in order to create toys with moving figures; - how to use a pantograph to scale up or down an image; - how to create an exact straight line mechanically. Ages 8+ Learn More

Get the MECHANICS: Gears & Worm Drives set and learn how Gears can easily reduce or increase speed, change force or transfer motion from one position to another. Discover how Worm drives are used to greatly reduce rotational speed and how screws can convert rotational motion to linear, while greatly increasing force. Build 12 working models such as an experimental crane, a gearbox, a carousel, a helicopter, a screw press and a crane with a rotating arm. You can find easy-to-follow building instructions for all models either online or in the booklet included. The booklet provides detailed explanations of the different scientific principles applied and incorporates innovative experimental activities for hands-on learning. A Quiz section is also available to challenge your newly acquired knowledge! Conduct thorough experiments and discover: - how the handle's position affects force and speed; - how the crank's position affects force and speed; - how to calculate the mechanical advantage of a screw; - what a worm drive is and how to use a ratchet mechanism. Ages 8+ Learn More

Attract early physics skills through fun magnet experiments! Kids experiment with the motion of magnetic attraction during STEM-filled play sessions with Magnet Movers, one of the hands-on STEM Explorers activity sets from Learning Resources.

The set's included activity guide comes with 10 open-ended magnetism experiments that challenge kids to discover the unexpected throughout the world around them. Little scientists can interact with the set's colorful assortment of magnetic accessories, which include everything from a hand-held magnetic wand to a magnetic post with two magnetic rings to a bar magnet with labeled positive and negative ends.

Whether they're learning lessons in polarity, testing the magnetism of common household objects, or "fishing" for paper clips with different magnetic "hooks," kids can test their newfound familiarity with the scientific method while building crucial critical thinking, problem-solving, and fine motor skills.

STEM Explorers: Magnet Movers turns the world into your child's fun-filled laboratory.

Ages 5-9

 From Learning Resources

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The race is on to build hands-on coding skills! Build your maze, and then use the coding cards to create a step-by-step path for Colby, the Programmable Robot Mouse. Program the sequence of steps, and then watch Colby race to find the cheese! This deluxe set includes 30 double-sided coding cards, 10 double-sided activity cards, cheese wedge, and Activity Guide to provide the perfect hands-on introduction to coding concepts. Create your path with 16 maze grids to create a 20" x 20" maze board, 22 maze walls, and 3 tunnels for endless possibilities. Colby lights-up, makes sounds, and features 2 speeds along with colorful buttons to match coding cards for easy programming and sequencing. Add multiple players with Jack, the Programmable Robot Mouse (LER 2841), sold separately. Colby measures 4"L and requires 3 AAA batteries (not included). Ages 5+. From Learning Resources. Learn More

The Steam-Space Exploration kit includes activities to build an in-room solar system display. Great design set for children interested in astronomy.

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Learn about the climate, weather changes and the greenhouse effect. Experience how water is filtered and purified. Be a plant scientist and explore more! Includes over 40 award-winning projects specially designed to instill scientific curiosity in young minds.

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Perform tabletop volcanic eruptions, build a clock powered by lemon, make a square bubble, drive a magnetic racer, perform amazing science magic tricks and more. Discover different science principles with this fascinating kit. Over 40 fun projects!

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Deluxe Earth Science Kit Earth STEM activities like volcano making, mining and crystal science. With instructions. 10yr+ Learn More

Build a dinosaur world with a variety of activities in Steam - Dinosaur World kit. Includes over 5 different activities to try. Great for hands-on art and learning. 

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