The Best Science Kit - 2021

Kids of all ages learn best through play. It’s very possible to get them engaged in science from a young age by finding exciting kits that feel like play but actually teach them lessons. Best of all, your little ones do not even have to be able to read to enjoy some science kits.

When shopping for science kits, you will see the term “STEM learning” prominently featured. STEM is the acronym for science, technology, engineering and math, four important fields in today’s world. Science kits are designed to encourage this kind of learning, and hands-on STEM activities at home and through play can really set children up for success during school.

Keep in mind that even a kid who doesn’t seem particularly inclined toward science may just not have been exposed to the right kind of experiments. It doesn’t take much for their imagination to come alive. Science kits can really make little ones develop a familiarity and enjoyment of experimentation and a fascination with the natural world.

You will find many inexpensive home science kits on the market that rely on household items to carry out the experiments. Some include safe chemicals like cornstarch and food coloring and many require the use of other things that you probably have in your kitchen, like vinegar and baking soda.

Keep in mind that these projects can be messy, so make sure kids are wearing old clothes while they work. (You might wish to do the same.) In addition, you should cover up surfaces to protect them from spills and “explosions.” It’s a great idea to have your young scientist help with the clean up afterwards for another lesson!

Preschoolers can use a variety of science kits. Some have test tubes that can be filled up with bugs, plants and liquids; these are a great choice for younger learners, as long as the experiments are done with adult supervision and safe materials.

Starting in kindergarten, kits allow children to make or learn about wiggly worms, grow crystals, create goo and slime and, of course, build and erupt volcanoes. Older children, meanwhile, may appreciate a well-made microscope, especially one that includes directions on how to analyze their findings.

• When shopping for science kits, see what age groups they are designed for and stick to it, especially if you won’t be directly supervising the experiments.
• Be sure to protect clothing and surfaces while you work. These kits may have food coloring that can stain anything they touch. If the weather’s nice, perhaps have the children do their experiments outdoors.
• If your child is a big fan of the outside world, they might also like an ant farm, a gemstone kit or a terrarium. Each offers unique ways to learn about the planet.
• Try to stay nearby in case your child needs some help with the instructions. They should be easy enough to follow, but if a step isn’t properly followed it could ruin the results they are working for.