Shortlisted
CrunchLabs Crunchinator
A Mark Rober build that crushes things on purpose. Engineering, with a payoff.
Ages 8 and up
10K+ bought last month on Amazon
Check the priceBuild, code, take apart, ages 8 and up
Little Makers
For the kid who opens the remote to see what's inside.
How we chose
Real building or real science, not stickers on a box. Every kit ends in something that works.
15 picks · 0 bought by us
Most bought right now
The ones other parents are buying most this month, on Amazon.
Shortlisted
Klutz LEGO Gear Bots
LEGO bricks plus a motor and gears. Builds eight moving machines.
Ages 8 and up
10K+ bought last month on Amazon
Check the price
Shortlisted
Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100
Real electronics with snap-together parts. Over a hundred projects, from a fan to an alarm.
Ages 8 and up
10K+ bought last month on Amazon
Check the price
Shortlisted
Smartivity Robotic Hand
A wooden hand you build and then control with your own fingers. Real hydraulics, no batteries.
Ages 8 and up
9K+ bought last month on Amazon
Check the price
Shortlisted
Smartivity DIY Pinball Machine
Build a working wooden pinball machine, then actually play it.
Ages 8 and up
6K+ bought last month on Amazon
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Shortlisted
National Geographic Break Open 10 Geodes
Crack a rock, find crystals inside. Every one is different.
Ages 8 to 12
5K+ bought last month on Amazon
Check the priceOur other picks
01Shortlisted
3Doodler Start+ 3D Pen
Draws in the air. The pen stays cool, so it's fine for kids.
Ages 6 and up
Check the price
02Shortlisted
100+ Science Experiments Kit
A hundred small experiments in one box. Good for a rainy week.
Ages 6 to 10
Check the price
03Shortlisted
Apitor Coding Robot
Build the robot, then code it from a tablet with blocks. Screen time that makes something.
Ages 8 and up
Check the price
04Shortlisted
GAN Magnetic Speed Cube
For the kid who just found cubing videos. Turns smoother than a regular cube, so they don't give up.
Ages 8 and up
Check the price
05Shortlisted
Shashibo Shape Shifter
A magnetic puzzle box that folds into 70 shapes. Fidget and brain teaser in one.
Ages 8 and up
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06Shortlisted
LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Space Shuttle
Three builds from one box: a shuttle, an astronaut or a spaceship. Rebuilds keep it alive past day one.
Ages 6 and up
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07Shortlisted
LEGO Creator 3-in-1 Spider
A big spider that rebuilds into a scorpion or a snake. Popular with kids who love creepy things.
Ages 7 and up
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08Shortlisted
National Geographic Magic Chemistry Set
Ten science tricks that look like magic. Comes with the explanation, too.
Ages 8 to 12
4K+ bought last month on Amazon
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09Shortlisted
Sillbird 12-in-1 Solar Robot Kit
Builds twelve robots that run on sunlight. A long project for a determined kid.
Ages 8 to 13
5K+ bought last month on Amazon
Check the price
