Best Science Gifts for Kids

What can you get for kids who love science?

Do you have a science lover that you need to shop for? What can you get your little budding scientist? Science is a great way for kids to discover the world around them. They can learn all about it and have fun at the same time.
Science is everywhere, in the park, your house, and the backyard. You can take advantage of this by turning it into a learning opportunity to your little scientist. Scientist want to know why things work the way they do. If you have one to shop for, there are certain tools a little scientist will need and appreciate.

Insects, Bugs, and Creepy Crawlies

Your budding scientist appreciates nature and could spend hours outdoors observing the world around them. By spending time outside, the little scientist can follow bugs, find plants, or feed ants. They will not be bored with so many things to do outside.

That is definitely a better option, than sitting in front of the TV. You may have a brooding biologist on your hands. If you want to take a closer look at the life cycle of butterfly, this insect pavillion will be perfect.

It comes with a certificate for caterpillars ($5 shipping), they come as larvae and you get to watch them emerge from their cocoons and transform into butterflies. If you are in warmer climate, you can then set them free and watch them take off. If not, they will need to stay with you for the duration of their life span (2-4 weeks).

Insect Lore Live Butterfly Pavillion

Insect Lore Live Butterfly Pavilion

View on Amazon

Electricity and Circuits

If your kids like to experiment or like to figure out how things work Snap Circuits would be perfect. It comes with clear instructions and you can build 300 projects with this kit. There's also a Snap Circuits Jr (100 projects) and 500 and 750 projects kit. So you can determine which level is the right one for your child.

The components are very durable and they have lasted through some rough play from my five year old when the gift was meant for my 10 year old.

The instructions manual begins with the most simple projects first and then they increase in difficulty. As your child grows, this game will grow with them.

Snap circuits SC-300

Snap Circuits SC-300

View on Amazon

K'nex - not just for building

K'nex are great for constructing all kinds of projects. Each kit usually comes with a set of instructions for various types of creations. K'nex also has a education line that teaches about physics. K'nex simple machines line has different kids to teach students about pulleys, levers, gears, wheels, and axels to get them hands on experience by allowing them to build it themselves and discover how they work.

K'Nex Education - Levers and Pulleys

K'Nex Education Intro To Simple Machi...

View on Amazon

Study the Earth - Rocks and Minerals

If your child loves geology and wants to learn about the earth, a rock collection is a must. There are 3 types of rocks and many different kinds of each. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Your child can start identifying rocks by getting a field guide and hunting for rocks themselves. Depending on the area you are living in, there may be certain rocks that are not available in your area. Why not purchase a rock collection. You child will have fun trying to identify each kind of rock or mineral while learning how they were created.

There are tests that can be done to figure out unknown types of rocks. Next time you head to the beach or park, see what kind of rocks your child can find.

Rock and Mineral collection

Dinosaurs and Fossils

All children are fascinated by dinosaurs, they were huge, scary creatures who inhabited the earth. There were so many different kinds of dinosaurs of all shapes and sizes. Make learning about dinosaurs more fun by digging up your own fossils with a fossil kit.

Your child can pretend to be a paleontologist looking for dinosaur bones themselves. The hard work will be worth it once they assemble their own dinosaur fossil.

Smithsonian Diggin' Up Dinosaurs T-Rex

View on Amazon

Walking with Dinosaurs

A Microscope to see the world they can't see

If you have an older child to shop for, they would truly appreciate a compound microscope. For younger crowds, I would stick to a cheaper model targeted to younger children since these can get expensive.

A child in the middle school age range could easily take care of this microscope. They can enjoy making their own slides. My child has asked me for one so he can try to find bacteria. Your little scientist can examine hair, skin, food, bugs to see what exactly they look like up close.