Editor’s pick
Thames & Kosmos Mega Cyborg Hand
Build a giant wearable robot hand powered by water pressure
About $45brand list price View on Amazon
CrunchLabs by Mark Rober The Crunchinator
A hand-cranked crusher that shows how gears multiply force.
Best for kids who love smashing things and asking why it works.
$34.99CrunchLabs list price
This is CrunchLabs’s own list price (checked November 13, 2026). Amazon’s price is often lower; tap above for today’s price. Paid link: Electroys may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Listing verified October 28, 2026. See CrunchLabs’s product page.
At a glance
- Age guidance
- Ages 8–13
- Price
- $34.99 list price
- Screen needed
- No, fully screen-free
- Batteries
- Not needed
- Adult help
- Some, for setup
- Play style
- Solo or together
- What it is
- Hand-cranked crushing machine with 3 swappable crush plates
- Great for
- Holiday, Birthday, Rainy Day
Mark Rober's crushing machine uses a hand-cranked wrench and gearing to multiply a kid's own strength so they can squash snacks and household objects inside a contained chamber. Three swappable crush plates and a QR-linked video explain the mechanical advantage behind it.
Why we picked it
- 01Makes mechanical advantage tangible and memorable
- 02Contained chamber rinses clean in the sink
- 03Phone holder for filming slow-motion crushes
What they’ll learn
Always follow the manufacturer’s age and safety guidance. Small parts may be a choking hazard for children under 3.
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