Most kids have a natural curiosity for why things happen and how things work, making science-focused gifts a great option for children of any age. Fortunately, there are a wide range of products available that combine educational value with tons of fun to help foster a passion for discovery and spark an interest in scientific topics. Whether the child in your life already has a love of science, or just likes to play with stuffed animals and slime, here are a few great gift ideas for your budding mini-scientist!
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Learning Resources Primary Science Lab Activity Set
This 22-piece activity set has a little bit of everything to turn a play area into a mini laboratory, including a beaker, test tubes, eyedropper pipette and all-important safety goggles. Also included are 10 activity cards with simple, fun experiments that teach basic science concepts suitable for children as young as 3. As an added bonus, the items in this kit are sturdy and easy to clean, so they’ll be good to go when your mini-scientist is ready to reproduce their results.
Price: $29.99
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AmScope Kids Beginner Microscope
This 52-piece mini microscope and STEM kit is an excellent, affordable choice for older kids, especially those who are serious about science. With up to 1200x magnification, 10 prepared slides and materials to conduct their own brine shrimp experiment, any kid can feel like a real-life researcher exploring the microscopic world in the lab. This microscope is also battery-powered and comes with a convenient carrying case, so your mini-scientist can continue their research wherever they go.
Price: $34.99
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National Geographic Mega Slime & Putty Lab
Mixing up homemade slime can be a fun activity, as well a stepping stone for learning about chemistry and material properties. This National Geographic kit combines the homemade slime craze with a learning guide about the science behind these stretchy and squishy substances. The kit includes a total of seven premade slimes and putties, including color-changing, bouncy, magnetic and glow-in-the-dark varieties, as well as materials for your mini-scientist to make their own slime at home. This slime and putty lab is one of the many educational activity kits offered by National Geographic, so it’s worth checking out some of their other offerings as well (prices vary!
Mega Slime & Putty Lab Price: $29.99
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Uncle Goose Periodic Table Blocks
Even the youngest kids can get a sciency gift in their stocking this year with this set of periodic table blocks, which feature a different element on each side. Made from sustainably-grown basswood and printed with non-toxic inks, this is a great toy for toddlers and recommended for kids 24 months and older. We agree with this product’s description: “Probably the only time you should let a child play with Plutonium and Arsenic.”
Price: $35.95
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“You Are Overreacting” Kids T-Shirt
This “punny” T-shirt is a fun fashion statement for mini-scientists of any age, with sizes available for children from 1 to 12 years old. The design is also available on 11 different shirt colors, or even on a sweater, hat, backpack, pencil case, notebook and more (prices vary). Wherever it’s displayed, this witty design is sure to stand out and earn some laughs -- especially in science class!
Kids T-shirt Price: $19.17
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GIANTmicrobes COVID-19 Vaccine
Who knew a lifesaving vaccination could be so huggable? GIANTmicrobes, a store that makes many different life science themed plush toys and products, offers an adorable stuffed version of a COVID-19 vaccine vial complete with colorful mRNA fragments embroidered on the soft fabric. This plush comes in different sizes ranging from keychain-sized to 11” and is sure to bring about a new appreciation for this groundbreaking medical innovation.
Price (Original Size): $14.95
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Cytosis: A Cell Biology Game
This science-themed strategy game can spell fun for the whole family as 2-5 players compete using cell components like enzymes, lipids, receptors and nucleic acids. This is a great game for teaching kids 10 and up about biological concepts and can be just as fun for adult players as well. Created by a chemical engineer and science teacher, Cytosis is designed to be as scientifically accurate as possible and could help your kids ace their next biology test - without even realizing they were studying!
Price: $39.77
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The Magic School Bus Chemistry Lab
Based on the popular Netflix reboot of “The Magic School Bus” TV series and designed by a team of Harvard graduates, scientists and educators, this STEM kit packs 51 different experiments into one box and teaches kids 5 and older about concepts including the states of matter, pH, density, polymer science and even chromatography! The activities in this kit are both informative and fun with experiments such as making bouncy balls, building bubble sculptures and exploding a classic homemade “volcano” using household materials. The Magic School Bus brand also offers other lab kits focused on outer space, engineering, microscopy and weather science so you can pick your mini-scientist’s favorite topic - or try them all (prices vary)!
Chemistry Lab Price: $24.99
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Thames & Kosmos Crystal Growing Science Kit
This sparkly science kit teaches kids 10 and up about the structure and geometry of crystals and lets them grow their own colorful keepsakes from potassium aluminum, sodium sulfate, sodium acetate and gypsum. The full color, step-by-step manual includes scientific explanations about the crystal growing process, and different colors and molds allow your mini-scientist to express their creativity through chemistry! The kit includes a total of 15 experiments and a clear plastic treasure chest for displaying the finished crystals.
Price: $34.95
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CIRO 12-in-1 Solar Robot
This final selection, recommended for kids aged 8 to 12, teaches both basic engineering skills and a lesson in sustainable energy with 12 different robot forms that crawl, roll or even row using solar power. Your mini-engineer can assemble the robot using the step-by-step instructions and pieces such as gears, plates and tires, then disassemble and rebuild it in a different form for a new exciting challenge. Using a real working solar panel, conductive wires and an inverter to power movement, this toy requires no batteries and is a great eco-friendly, educational gift.
Price: $27.99