Discovering a new species, exploring the human body, sending a man to the moon, science is as exciting as it is educational. Combine that with a child’s sense of wonder and sponge-like brain for information and you could have the next Einstein on your hands. This is the perfect time to get kids in their lab coats to learn about the fascinating ways of the universe.
From budding engineers to beginners who may not know they have an interest in science, our list of the 20 best science toys of 2020 contains an option for various different ages, abilities, and budgets. We took endorsements from real people and removed any with fake reviews so you get the best toy for all future biologists, chemists, and physicists alike.
1Constructive Playthings Light Crystal Prism (Best Budget Option)
The Light Crystal Prism is one of the best science toys for kids that is simple yet still educational and exciting enough to fascinate children. This crystal features a Bevel cut that can help reflect images into cool kaleidoscope patterns, teaching kids just how a rainbow of colors hides in plain sight through natural light.
What we love
- Rounded edges for safety
- Hand-sized and easy for young kids to manage
We dont like this as much
- Have to follow the instructions precisely to get the effects to work
2ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run (Best Quality Option)
Teach kids about the wonders of gravity with the ThinkFun Gravity Maze Marble Run toy. In addition to gravity, this combination toy can help children develop logic and critical thinking skills as they play through the 60 challenges that go from beginner to expert level. There are nine towers, a target piece, and three marbles.
What we love
- Great variety of mazes
- Comfortable progression of difficulty
We dont like this as much
- Some kids might need help reconfiguring the tightly fitting pieces
3Elenco Snap Circuits Jr.
The Elenco Snap Circuits Jr. is aimed at budding engineers as it allows kids to work with more than 100 electronic circuit projects. This STEM educational kit has more than 30 pieces and no tools are needed to create things with them. Everything is numbered and color-coded too for easier identifying.
What we love
- Color-coded for simpler assembly
- Offers a range of functions for kids to build
We dont like this as much
- Might benefit from more thorough step-by-step explanations
4Educational Insights Nancy B's Science Club Microscope
The Nancy B’s Science Club Microscope is a two-in-one light and dissecting microscope. It comes with a 22-page activity journal with room for drawings to guide kids along their scientific discoveries. The microscope has a zoom of 30 to 400 times to examine an assortment of things.
What we love
- High-quality microscope with comfortable rubber eyecup
- Includes sample slides so kids can examine things right away
We dont like this as much
- LED light function could be brighter
54M Kidzlabs Earth & Moon Model Kit
The 4M Kidzlabs Earth & Moon Model Kit is one of the 20 best science toys for kids who are fascinated with space. They can feel like true astronomers as they construct and paint a 3D earth and moon model. Sitting on its rotating arm, kids can turn off the lights and watch the set light up in the dark.
What we love
- Simple to put together and paint
- Small size that's easy for young kids to work with
We dont like this as much
- Glow in the dark paint isn't that strong
6Kids Science Experiment Kit
Children dive right into the shoes of a researcher with this Kids Science Experiment Kit. It includes a washable lab coat, goggles, and even an ID card to dress up in. This 42-piece set also comes with everything else kids need to run experiments such as test tubes and measuring cups.
What we love
- Well-made lab coat with Velcro design that's easy to put on and take off
- Excellent for educational imaginative play
We dont like this as much
- Have to purchase a lot of supplies for the experiments separately
7My Body Anatomy Science Kit
The My Body Anatomy Science Kit is a child-friendly exploration into the human body. It features colorful body puzzles with educational cards. The eight different puzzles address a variety of systems inside the body from the circulatory system to the internal organs.
What we love
- Fun and kid-friendly introduction to anatomy
- Puzzle pieces are easy to put together
We dont like this as much
- There are only basic facts, so this might better serve younger kids
8Thames & Kosmos Biology Genetics and DNA
With the Thames & Kosmos Biology Genetics and DNA, kids get a straightforward crash course into biology. There are 20 experiments children can play through and it comes with a 48-page colored learning guide and experiment manual.
What we love
- Manual is well-made and informative
- Kit feels durable
We dont like this as much
- Kids might need help putting the DNA model together
9Amazing Bacteria Science Kit
The Amazing Bacteria Science Kit comes with numerous supplies such as 10 pre-poured agar plates, 10 cotton sticks, a pair of plastic droppers, and purified water to get started on experiments. It comes with an ebook download too so kids can readily follow along.
What we love
- Easy-to-follow instructions
- The colonies kids can grow is diverse
We dont like this as much
- Agar plates could be of higher quality
105-Set STEM Kit
With this 5-Set STEM Kit, children work through a variety of projects to push their creativity and critical thinking skills. The different sets they can build also help in developing their hand-eye coordination thanks to the assortment of sizes and pieces required for each model.
What we love
- Variety of builds
- Clear-cut instructions
We dont like this as much
- Some kids may need help with the smaller pieces
11Little Experimenter Telescope for Kids
The Little Experimenter Telescope for Kids is a fun way to introduce young children to astronomy. It features 2x magnification and it comes with numerous projection discs that contain 24 images. These images range from planets to spaceships. There’s also an activity book that’s fun and educational.
What we love
- Convenient removable projector and collapsible tripod
- Single eyepiece is easy for little kids to use
We dont like this as much
- Young kids may outgrow it fast
12Learn & Climb Science Kit for Kids
Containing more than 20 projects, this Science Kit for Kids will keep children pleasantly entertained while they learn. It includes everything you need (besides household items) to get started. Thanks to the colored instructions, kids can easily tell which step they need to follow for specific experiments.
What we love
- Supplies are packaged neatly
- Contains a good amount of ingredients to get started
We dont like this as much
- Young children might be more entertained than older ones
13 Light-Up Ant Habitat for Kids
The Light-Up Ant Habitat is one of the 20 best science toys for kids who are interested in all-things bugs. It’s a complete kit with the only thing missing being live ants to put inside. The clear case and light-up function allows kids to watch every move that the bugs make, learning more about how they function and live in the comfort of their home.
What we love
- Amazing light-up function for visibility in the dark
- Easy and fast to put together
We dont like this as much
- Some ants might not get through the thick gel material
14Think Fun Laser Maze
The Think Fun Laser Maze is a game of logic where kids can stretch their brainpower to learn about stealth and planning skills. There are 60 challenges that move from novice users to expert players so children can challenge themselves the more they learn.
What we love
- Good tool to teach about logic and basic electronic circuitry
- Nice development from easy to difficult levels
We dont like this as much
- Some issues getting all the pieces to fit back inside the box
15Deep Space Home Planetarium and Projector
The Deep Space Home Planetarium and Projector is one of the best science toys for kids that bring the awe and excitement from a real planetarium right to their home. They can project 24 different colored NASA images using three interchangeable discs. It’s a tabletop design that allows a projection on either the wall or the ceiling.
What we love
- "Stars" readily rotate around the room thanks to the slow-turning projector head
- Contains a variety of images to project
We dont like this as much
- Could benefit from a longer battery life
16Baby Mushroom Ultimate Slime Kit
The Ultimate Slime Kit will excite any kids who adore the sticky, gross slime toys. There are more than 10 different experiments to play with, letting kids make numerous slime projects from clear slime to galaxy glitter slime. This includes everything they need for hours of fun.
What we love
- Incredible variety of slimes to make
- Supplies and ingredients included
We dont like this as much
- Younger kids might need some help with the instructions
174M Kidzlabs Anti Gravity Magnetic Levitation Science Kit
The Anti Gravity Magnetic Levitation Science Kit takes a unique, kid-friendly approach to teaching about magnetic force. There are several hands-on experiments for children to learn, providing them with a good balance of entertainment and education.
What we love
- Material and supplies are high in quality
- Experiments can be done multiple times
We dont like this as much
- Some parts could benefit from a smoother fit
18Magformers Basic Set
The Magformers Basic Set comes with 30 total pieces, allowing kids to make a multitude of different shapes. There are 18 squares and 12 triangles, all vibrantly colored with every hue from the rainbow. This set is compatible with other Magformers so kids can constantly add to their collection to make bigger shapes.
What we love
- Magnetic power is reliable and strong, holding the pieces together well
- Made from long-lasting, durable plastic
We dont like this as much
- Might not contain the stated number of each shape
19RC Programmable Robot Toy
The RC Programmable Robot Toy is a must-have for kids who love robots. It comes in three different colors and it’s multifunctional as children can play around with various intellectual programming. This means the robot, with a simple gesture, can perform different moves the kids make them do like walking forward or sliding to the right.
What we love
- Easy to program the gestures
- Robot can perform a fun amount of different physical and auditory functions
We dont like this as much
- Some kids might need assistance using the remote
20Steve Spangler Science Energy Stick
With the Steve Spangler Science Energy Stick, kids can explore the wonders of electricity and circuitry through this handheld device. It is simplistic in appearance, but it can be a great visual aid that shows children how to complete circuitry by placing their hands on each end of the stick. This can be fun for solo and group learning, allowing kids to share what they learn with the whole family.
What we love
- Allows for a small group to learn and play with at once
- Straightforward design that's easy for young kids to use
We dont like this as much
- May benefit from a few more features to keep kids entertained for longer