The Best Science Gifts for 5-8 Year Olds: 20+ Ideas for Girls & Boys!

Are you looking for a science-themed educational gift for the special little kids in your life? This guide will outline 20+ of the best science gifts for 5-8 year olds, with ideas both girls and boys are sure to love!

STEM education is as important at home as it is in schools, and these scientific kits and toys are designed to give children the opportunity to explore and learn.

All of these science-related items have been carefully selected based on their popularity, educational value, and age appropriateness for 5-8 year olds.

Whether you’re shopping for a birthday, Christmas, or some other special occasion, these science gifts will help budding scientists discover more about the world around them in a fun, engaging way.

Let’s get started!

Disclosure: Some of the links in this article are affiliate links, meaning at no additional cost for you, we might get a commission if you click the link and purchase.

 

1. KiwiCo Science & STEAM Crates

Price

Plans starting at $18.50 per month

KiwiCo is one of the most popular subscription boxes for kids. Each month, a subscription box is delivered to the child’s home that teaches them about science and art through creative activities.

KiwiCo crates make a fantastic gift for children who are passionate about science and engineering. Packed with hands-on activities, each box explores a different topic in an age-appropriate way, while teaching problem-solving and critical thinking skills.

With this subscription box, kids can assemble things like a rocket, arcade claw, or garden with the materials and directions included in the crate.

All of the projects are designed and tested by a team of experts to ensure quality, safety, and educational value.

The company was founded by a mom and engineer who wanted to inspire kids to become innovators and creators.

Each crate is designed for a specific age group, so it’s important to select the correct one according to your child’s age and interests.

Click here to learn more.

 

2. MEL Science Kits

Price

Plans starting at $29.90

MEL Science Kits are some of the most intriguing ones. The best part is that they come with simple directions and experiments that kids can easily follow.

Kids of every age, even younger children, can find it interesting to build a solar-powered buzzer and a hydraulic lift. They are unlikely to forget what it was like to don a VR headset, explore atomic structures, or play with electrons.

Older children will enjoy combining actual chemicals and even setting them on fire. The only drawback of these kits is that the projects are completed too fast.

 

3. Just Play Ada Twist, Scientist On the Go-Lab Set 

Price

$47

Just Play Ada Twist is best for your kids if they love to do scientific experiments. This science kit encourages young children to consider science as an exciting subject. The concept of this gift is easy for them to comprehend and they can enjoy it without any supervision.

It is based on the Netflix series “Mitchelle and Barack Obama” and the children’s book by Andrea Beatty.

The kit comes in a bright-wheeled container in which safety goggles, beakers, test tubes, a functioning scale, and other items are present. Children can carry out preschool-level experiments following the six instruction cards.

 

4. Fat Brain Toys Buggy Light

Price

$24.95

Buggy Light is a warm light that emanates from the base, illuminating your insect pets in their colorful glory. The light can improve the experience of a child who enjoys the outdoors or a budding entomologist without harming the insects or allowing creepy crawlies to wander inside the house.

The lighting has different settings, making it simpler to alter the brightness, browse through a rainbow of hues, and even automatically set it up to cycle through colors.

Also, the kids may view their specimens at a size eight times larger, thanks to the lid’s built-in magnifier.

 

5. KinderLabRobotics KIBO 15 Home Edition

Price

$230+

This science kit has coding games for your future coder! It includes a series of coding cards which will help your kid to program this little, screen-free toy to perform various tasks by adjusting input and output ports.

KIBO also fosters creativity because kids can add and remove paper decorations from its top as they like. However, it seems to be a little pricey, but believe us, it is one of the most advanced coding kits for your kids.

 

6. Snap Circuits Pro Electronics Exploration Kit

Price

$86

Snap Circuits kits are helpful because they can teach kids about electrical circuits without exposing them to potentially hazardous materials or encouraging them to dismantle devices adults may want to use.

As the name suggests, the components snap into a board and connect, allowing a battery pack to power various devices, such as a fan, radios, a voice recorder, and lights. Children can create their creations and expand on this with more Snap Circuit kits, even though this kit has instructions for 500 possible experiments.

 

7. National Geographic Super Gross Chemistry Set 

Price

$30

National Geographic shows you around the world and has some super fun scientific kits for your kids. Some young people may already believe that science is dull or reserved for those who enjoy spending time in a classroom.

These kids might yet become science nerds after spending time with this kit, which contains everything they need to create their bubbling snot bubbles, a jiggling, squishy “brain,” “vomiting” test tube, and a “farting” slime. While combining all those disgusting mixtures, they’ll be learning about phosphorescence, polymers, and other chemical reactions.

 

8. Abacus Brand’s Bill Nye VR Science Kit

Price

$69.99

Those who watched ‘Bill Nye the Science Guy’ as kids will appreciate the chance for our kids to explore science in a way that is far more hands-on than we did while watching TV.

This VR Science Kit is a 50-piece set having a beaker, an eye dropper, test tubes, and other supplies. These objects will help you to complete more than 30 experiments. Also, it comes with an attached spiral-bound book containing detailed directions for all the projects, such as building a “volcano,” using a lemon as a battery, and producing your perfume. It comes with a book that helps parents assist their kids in fun experiments.

 

9. Thames & Kosmos Kids First Chemistry Set 

Price

$44.95

This first Chemistry Set by Thames & Kosmos helps students explore chemical ideas. The kits include:

• Test tubes.
• A petri dish.
• Measuring utensils.
• A magnifying glass.
• Pipettes.
• PH test strips.
• Mixing color solutions

This chemistry set helps kids conduct water solubility tests, crystal production experiments, and acid testing. It’s a fantastic tool for teaching kids about the importance of science and the reasons why scientists do experiments.

 

10. Be Amazing Toys! Interactive Human Body 

Price

$20

Does your kid also want to be a doctor when they grow up? If so, this Interactive Human Body Kit is made especially for them. This science kit precisely displays body parts, which allows students to investigate anatomy like a 3D puzzle.

To explain body functions, the figure has 25 separate skeletal elements and detachable muscles and organs. All bodily parts and scientific facts are covered in illustrated activity cards. Once put together, the figure can have realistic movements incorporated into the joints to replicate how the body moves.

 

11. Klutz LEGO Chain Reactions Science & Building Kit 

Price

$19

The Klutz LEGO Chain Reactions Craft Kit is perfect for young engineers since it allows them to construct 10 unique machines, including a seesaw and ramp, an elevator, and a falling hammer. Each machine is built to do a specific task, allowing interactive enjoyment while learning concepts like physics and engineering.

 

12. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Hobby Rock Tumbler Kit

Price

$69.99

This science kit allows your kids to discover their inner artists. The Hobby Rock Tumbler has the grit inside to transform unpolished stones into brilliant diamonds. In addition to introducing students to physical science, the kit lets children playfully investigate rocks in their natural surroundings. The tumbler contains a noise-reducing barrel and an automatic shut-off timer. The kit also comes with rough gemstones, four polishing grits, and jewelry fasteners.

 

13. NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Dino Fossil Dig Kit 

Price

$17

The “National Geographic Dinosaur Dig Kit” is the ideal present for dinosaur enthusiasts because it enables kids to unearth actual dinosaur fossils from a brick while exposing them to paleontology ideas. A digging brick, a magnifying lens, and a learning manual are all included. Players can use the learning guide to identify their finds after they have separated the fossils.

 

14. 4M Solar System Planetarium Kit

Price

$10

The 4M Solar System Planetarium Kit has everything your kid needs to build a glowing galaxy to display in their planetarium. This set encourages creative play while instructing youngsters on the celestial bodies that make up our solar system.

It provides tactile experience to help them put their new knowledge into practice. The package includes 10 quiz questions for kids on the solar system, stencils, planets, a squeeze glow paint pen, threads, and rods. The best part about this kit is that kids can construct and decorate their own Milky Way while studying the planets.

 

15. Educational Insights Design & Drill Space Circuits

Price

$32.99

This is an excellent alternative for younger children as it requires few tools and parts, and the difficulty level will keep the child engaged throughout the process. Challenge cards are included in the STEM toy set and are designed to direct children’s innate problem-solving abilities. Although gaining knowledge is the ultimate objective, it feels more like a playful activity.

 

16. Soap & Bath Bomb Making Kit for Kids – 3-in-1 Spa Science Kits For Kids 

Price

$34.99

Does your kid love to do some fun stuff while bathing? This DIY kit includes everything your kid will need to make their bath bombs, salts, and soaps.

The company claims that all of the components have been examined and do not pose any health risks when used as intended, but you should always keep an eye as dyers are risky for children. However, older youngsters should be able to put up the set without assistance from an adult.

 

17. Magna-Tiles 32-Piece Clear Colors Set

Price

$49.99

For many years, children have enjoyed playing with building sets, which are traditional science toys. This tile set is a bit of an innovation in ordinary toys. With this kit, your kid can make hundreds of imaginative combinations, including a door, door frame, car, and arch.

Since the edges of each tile are magnetized, your child can link them to create any structure they can think of. In short, Magna Tiles not only provide entertainment, but also aid in the development of fine motor skills.

 

18. Wonder Workshop Dash Coding Robot for Kids 

Price

$149.95

This robot for kids can be charged for five hours of unstructured coding fun. The five associated applications are free, allowing children to learn how to code by making voice commands, coding sequences, and loops. Children as young as five can learn the basics of coding using picture-based puzzles and progress toward more advanced concepts to command the robot to perform more complex tasks.

 

19. Science in Wonderland 

Price

$24.99

Science in Wonderland is a collection of fairy-themed science activities designed for young children. Children can perform activities like constructing a kaleidoscope out of a tree stump, using solar energy to make a ladybug’s wings flap, inducing a fairy to dance, causing flowers to blossom, and manufacturing colorful butterfly wings. It is cleverly conceived and beautifully presented. Every time your kid plays with this, they would discover something new.

 

20. My Living World Window Bird Feeder 

Price

$13.03

If your kids love watching birds, then it’s time to gift this window bird feeder to them. This science kit has such a straightforward yet excellent concept. Although it’s not a toy, we couldn’t resist featuring it. Your kid can get a close-up view of the birds who come to eat there, thanks to the one-way mirror, and they won’t fly away because of your presence.

 

21. Learning Resources GeoSafari Jr My First Microscope

Price

$24.99

Preschoolers aren’t fond of closing one eye to stare down a single eyepiece. Therefore, we appreciate the soft double eyepiece. It’s fantastic that you don’t even need slides to use it; you can place an object like a pebble or a flower on the permanent stage and press a button to illuminate it. This Jr Microscope will help your kid see things far more significant than they are.

 

22. Insect Lore Butterfly Garden 

Price

$29.99

This kit is best for insect lovers. It comes with 5 caterpillars. You’ll need to observe 3 to 5 caterpillars as they consume food, spin silk, and develop over 3 to 5 weeks into Painted Lady butterflies.

Kids who used this found the experience miraculous as they saw their caterpillars wriggle and weave silk while rapidly expanding in size. The most exciting part of the process is the ten-day chrysalis stage, where the beautiful butterflies emerge. The process of watching their caterpillar grow into butterflies also teaches your kids patience.

 

How to Choose a Science Gift

Here are a few things you should consider when buying a science kit.

1. Age Group

The first and foremost thing to look at is the age group. The majority of children’s science kits include recommendations for specific ages.

For younger children, less complicated experiments they may safely play with will suffice. Although you don’t want to bore them, older children can accept written instructions and lessons along with their scientific ideas.

2. Subject

Young people’s developmental stages should not take precedence over their general interests. To understand what piques your child’s curiosity, try talking to them about it or ask their science teacher. The majority of the children are interested in chemistry, robotics, electrical, or biology. Ideally, during their childhood, they’ll have the opportunity to experiment with various scientific fields, so you can change the kit frequently.

3. Safety

Certain science toys available on the market raise safety issues. Therefore, parental control is necessary. Some science kits include hands-on experiments that could need parental supervision.

Using a candy-making set, which helps children learn about the science of cooking and the chemistry of combining various substances, might also require some assistance from adults. Therefore, children should adhere to safety rules to prevent injury.

4. Long-Term Engagement

Some of the experiments included in science kits are simple and entertaining, but they only last a few minutes and provide little follow-up or further exploration. Therefore, you should get a kit that encourages kids to play and learn after the initial experiment.

 

Final Thoughts

If you’re looking for the best science gifts for 5-8 year olds, the options are almost limitless, but hopefully, our guide above will help you find the perfect gift for your little one!

From learning about animals and insects to exploring the world of chemistry and physics, these gifts will inspire your child’s curiosity and help them become a junior scientist.

Have fun exploring our list and finding that special science-related gift for your kid!

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