Editor’s pick
CrunchLabs by Mark Rober The Crunchinator
A hand-cranked crusher that shows how gears multiply force
About $35brand list price View on Amazon
Your kid is…
Meet the maker type
The Explorer
Wants to know why the sky is blue.
Explorers are natural scientists. They collect rocks, watch bugs, ask a hundred questions a day and light up at experiments that fizz, grow or glow. Give them tools to observe and test the world.
- Curiosity
- Careful observation
- Asking great questions
Get the Electroys app Keep their gift list, games and the December advent calendar one tap away.
Gifts for the Explorer
Picked for this kind of mind.
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
Editor’s pick
Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100
Real electronic parts that snap together, no soldering
Typical price $25 – $50 View on Amazon
Editor’s pick
Ravensburger GraviTrax Starter Set
Design marble runs powered by gravity, magnets and momentum
Typical price $50 – $100 View on Amazon
Editor’s pick
Snap Circuits Classic SC-300 Electronics Kit
Build working circuits without a single wire or solder joint
Typical price $50 – $100 View on Amazon
Editor’s pick
Thames & Kosmos CHEM C1000 Beginner Chemistry Set (V2.1)
A real first chemistry lab with 125 guided experiments
About $60brand list price View on Amazon
Editor’s pick
Celestron StarSense Explorer LT 80AZ Telescope
Your phone shows exactly where to point, then you take over
About $250brand list price View on Amazon
Editor’s pick
Electronics for Kids, 2nd Edition
21 hands-on projects, from basic circuits to digital logic
About $25brand list price View on Amazon
Snap Circuits Beginner SCB-20
First circuits with big snap-together parts and picture instructions
About $35brand list price View on Amazon
SmartMax Start Magnetic Discovery Set
Chunky magnetic bars and balls that show attract and repel
Typical price $25 – $50 View on Amazon
Learning Resources Primary Science Lab Set
Real-looking lab tools sized for preschool scientists
About $40brand list price View on Amazon
Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. My First Microscope
A real microscope with two big eyepieces made for little kids
Typical price $25 – $50 View on Amazon
Educational Insights GeoSafari Jr. Kidnoculars
Binoculars little kids can actually see through
About $16brand list price View on Amazon
LEGO Creator 3 in 1 Space Shuttle (31134)
One small box, three space builds to rebuild all winter
About $10brand list price View on Amazon
MAGNA-TILES Undersea Adventure 58-Piece Set
Magnetic ocean habitats with slides, trapdoors and sea creatures
About $90brand list price View on Amazon
Thames & Kosmos V8 Race Car Engineering Set
Build a motorized race car with a V8, gearbox and suspension
About $40brand list price View on Amazon
Thames & Kosmos SolarFlower: Ruby Ripple
A sun-powered kinetic flower that teaches motors and gears
About $25brand list price View on Amazon
Klutz LEGO Chain Reactions
Build 10 LEGO machines and link them into chain reactions
About $20brand list price View on Amazon
Barbie Sparkle Marble Run Building Set
Design glittery marble runs and test drops, twists and races
Typical price $25 – $50 View on Amazon
National Geographic Mega Crystal Growing Kit
Grow eight colorful crystals and display them on a light-up stand
Typical price $25 – $50 View on Amazon
National Geographic Mega Gemstone Dig Kit
Chip away at a dig brick to uncover 15 real gemstones
Typical price Under $25 View on Amazon
National Geographic Earth Science Kit
Volcanoes, crystals, gem digs and tornadoes in one box
Typical price $25 – $50 View on Amazon
National Geographic Science Magic Kit
Chemistry experiments disguised as magic tricks
Typical price $25 – $50 View on Amazon
Snap Circuits Pro SC-500 Electronics Kit
The bigger Snap Circuits set for kids who want 500+ projects
Typical price $50 – $100 View on Amazon
No picks for this age in this maker type yet. Browse every pick.