We believe science should be full of discovery and exploration. Our team of educators, home educators, scientists, and engineers share some of their favorite science resources.
It’s fun to create a science shelf or corner in your homeschool area or classroom. There are a number of options for creating this space; it could be a shelf with storage bins, a small table in one corner, or a rolling cart.
Use the quick links below to jump to a specific category of gift or browse the entire guide.
Some items may contain affiliate links.
STEM Kits
TechBox
If you want to provide your middle and high school student with experience using real-world components and learn real-world vocabulary, the Tech-Box kits are a great option. Each kit teaches a different concept, including animation, memory storage, servo control, object sensing, game elements, and more. Instructions are video based and make it easy for your teen to have a successful experience. (In other words, this kit won’t sit undone because it’s too difficult to follow the directions!) Read our full review here.
SnapCircuits Junior
Getting a foundation in circuits and how they work is critical for our children. Whether they pursue a career in electronics, computers, or robotics, a fundamental understanding circuits comes in helpful in our own homes…and cars!
This award-winning kit allows children to build over 100 exciting projects by simply snapping together colorful, easy-to-use circuit components. The kit includes switches, resistors, a motor, a speaker, and a photoresistor. Each component snaps easily onto the plastic grid—no soldering required—making it safe and accessible for children ages 8 and up. With clear, illustrated instructions, kids can create working circuits that power fans, light up bulbs, and even play music, all while learning the fundamentals of electricity and engineering.
SnapCircuits Code Journey
We are fans of SnapCircuits products because of how easy they are to use. The first time building with this kit, your younger child may need some help, but once they get going, they will have no problem assembling or programming their creations. The kit is designed to teach kids the fundamentals of programming while they build real, functioning circuits
Your child or teen can create over 50 projects that introduce them to key coding concepts using Blockly, a visual programming language. The kit includes over 40 snap-together components, such as sensors, LEDs, motors, and a microcontroller, allowing young inventors to build exciting, interactive circuits that they can control and customize through code.
The step-by-step instructions guide children through each project, teaching them how to write and modify code to bring their creations to life. From programming a simple light display to creating a fully functional alarm system, Snap Circuits Code Journey offers endless possibilities for exploration and innovation. The intuitive, drag-and-drop coding interface makes it easy for beginners to get started, while still providing the depth needed to challenge more advanced learners.
ELEGOO Conqueror Robot Tank Kit
The Elegoo Robot Tank is a comprehensive and versatile kit designed for both beginners and advanced enthusiasts. Powered by the popular Arduino-compatible UNO R3 microcontroller, this kit provides everything you need to build, program, and control your very own robotic tank.
The ELEGOO Conqueror Robot Tank Kit features a robust tank chassis equipped with high-torque motors, durable tracks, and a variety of sensors, including ultrasonic, infrared, and line-tracking modules. These components allow your robot to navigate, avoid obstacles, follow lines, and even engage in basic autonomous behaviors. With the included Bluetooth module, you can also control the tank wirelessly via your smartphone or tablet, adding another layer of interactive fun.
What sets this kit apart is its emphasis on learning by doing. The comprehensive instruction manual and open-source sample codes make it easy for beginners to dive into robotics, while the Arduino platform provides endless possibilities for customization and expansion. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to deepen your understanding of electronics and coding, the ELEGOO Conqueror Robot Tank Kit offers a hands-on, immersive learning experience that’s both educational and entertaining.
PixBrix
We love this award-winning building system because they can be connected on all six sides! This allows your child to discover a new dimension of creativity that transforms their ideas into colorful, 3D masterpieces!
Each PixBrix set comes with thousands of tiny, vibrant bricks in a wide array of colors, perfect for artists, hobbyists, and builders of all ages. Whether you’re designing a simple image or an elaborate sculpture, the possibilities are endless. Follow the included templates, download patterns from the PixBrix library, or let your imagination run wild to create custom designs.
PixBrix is not just a toy—it’s a tool for creative expression that encourages fine motor skills, spatial awareness, and problem-solving. It’s perfect for solo projects or group activities, and its compact size makes it easy to build anywhere. Plus, PixBrix pieces are fully compatible with other leading pixel brick brands, adding even more versatility to your collection.
Board Games, Card Games
Planet Voyagers – SimplyFun Games
Players start at the Sun and move through the solar system to reach Neptune, but they have to develop a strategy to collect the most points along the way. Players can opt to answer questions or research and learn new facts (which is worth more points.) The first to reach 12 points or reach Neptune first is the winner.
Ages: 8 and up, 2-5 players. Skills: Science, strategy
Variation – Science Geek Games
Variation is one card deck with 7 different game variations! Concepts like DNA bases and sequences become easily understood and memorable via brightly illustrated cards and engaging game options. We like that this learning resource can be used with ages and to adults! The seven game variations allow you to step up the learning as your student develops a deeper knowledge of bases and sequencing. I worked in the DNA testing field for 15 years and am highly impressed with Variation from Science Geek Games!
Ages: 8 and up, 2-5 players. Skills: Science, strategy
Prime Climb
The colors on the playing board just are there to look visually appealing, but help students learn multiplication, division, factorization and prime number concepts. What are the different ways to make 90? The colors on each circle hold the key! This is for middle school and up. (Even adults will like this.) Prime Climb has won MUTLIPLE awards.
Ages: 8 and up, 2-5 players. Skills: Math, strategy
Vinculum- SimplyFun Games
Hands-on math games are an effective teaching tool for helping your children visualize concepts that are new or are a struggle. Viniculum is a fractions game that helps students learn to reduce and expand fractions.
SimplyFun provides additional information on their site, including ideas to take the basic game further and using Viniculum with special needs students.
Ages: 8 and up, 2-5 players. Skills: Science, strategy
Team Digger- SimplyFun Games
Help your child develop the logic and strategy skills needed to learn coding. The premise of this game is simple.2-4 players choose a dog figurine and take turns using 5 command cards to direct their dog around the board.
Because this is a cooperative game, players are encouraged to share the command cards they have in their hands, to strategize together, and to negotiate trades with each other to fulfill the overall strategy. This may sound complex for ages 6 and up, but it’s actually pretty simple to do as you play. Team Digger can be played by 2-4 players, ages 6+ in 30 minutes or less.
An adult player can help facilitate teamwork by helping to choose a leader for each round, or by making sure each younger player has a chance to say what he or she thinks the next play should be.
Our review family thoroughly enjoyed this game. Read their review here.
Ages: 2 and up, 2-4 players. Skills: Sequencing, strategy, team cooperation.
Set
This is one of my favorite games! Set helps build cognitive, perception, and logical and spatial reasoning skills. It is very fast paced, so if you have a child who has a learning difference (for us it was dyscalculia), the fast pace can be overwhelming. We used it as a break from school and for family game night. I have even played it by myself using a timer to see how many sets I can make in the allotted time.
All ages, 1 or more players. Skills: Cognitive and perception skills, logic and spatial reasoning.
Phase 10
Phase 10 is just a fun group game! There are not any direct math or science skills developed in the playing of this game, it’s just fun to play! It is similar to rummy, but players have to achieve one phase to move onto the next. There is a lot of strategy involved. This is one of our favorite family games.
All ages, 2 to 6 players.
Shore Seekers – SimplyFun Games
Another hands-on math game from SimplyFun that helps reinforce addition and multiplication skills. From the SimplyFun site, “Sea turtles return to a special sandy beach every two to four years to lay their precious eggs. As the turtles circle this island looking for the perfect spot to lay their eggs, players roll dice to move their turtle and collect cards to determine how many eggs will be in each nest. The player whose turtle has laid the most eggs when all the cards run out wins!”
Pair this game with our free sea turtle study!
Ages: 8 and up, 2-5 players. Skills: Science, strategy
Five Crowns
Five Crowns is a fast-paced, award-winning card game that’s perfect for family game nights. Designed for 2 to 7 players, this engaging game is easy to learn but challenging to master, making it ideal for both kids and adults.
The game is played over 11 rounds, with the number of cards dealt increasing each round. Each round introduces a new wild card, adding a fun twist that keeps everyone on their toes. The goal is to create the best “books” and “runs” of cards before the round ends, with the lowest score winning.
Five Crowns features a unique double-deck of cards, including five suits instead of the traditional four. This adds depth to the gameplay, providing endless combinations and strategies.
Five Crowns because is not only entertaining but also educational, helping kids develop critical thinking, strategic planning, and math skills. With its simple rules and scalable difficulty, Five Crowns is a game that the whole family can enjoy, time and time again.
Ages: 8 and up, 2-5 players. Skills: Strategy, math, critical thinking
Books and Puzzles
Find the Constellations
If the author’s name sounds familiar, it is probably because you once read his Curious George books! This is illustrated in the style of his famous children’s books, but make no mistake, this resource is packed with information. It’s both educational and endearing! Our children enjoyed this guide to the constellations because of the illustrations. Personally, I enjoyed it too, but it’s ideal for children up to 12 or so.
With Rey’s clear, engaging explanations and easy-to-follow diagrams, “Find the Constellations” simplifies the complex patterns of stars into familiar shapes and characters, making it easy for children and beginners to identify major constellations and understand their stories. The book is packed with practical tips on stargazing, including when and where to look, how to use the constellations to navigate, and the best ways to enjoy the celestial show above.
A side note, we would take this book out when we were stargazing and use a flashlight with red tissue paper over it to keep the light dim. Or you can purchase an astronomy flashlight here.
Hands-On Science Fun
Jumbo Set of Test Tubes with Rack
Children love to mix and stir, so why not give them real test tubes? Add a little baking soda, food coloring, and vinegar and your young chemist will enjoy a fun chemistry lesson. I have used these with children as young as 4. The caps are easy for them to remove. The droppers are a perfect size for little hands. We had HOURS of fun. At this price, purchase a set for each child.
Super Magnet Lab by
Wand magnets are so.much.fun! (And if you drop a sewing needle in a carpet, wand magnets are a great way to find them!). Even Mom or Dad will have fun trying to see how many disks they can hold on a chain at one time! A magnet set provides hours of science discovery for children, especially at the younger ages. A wand magnet is easy for young learners to hold and manipulate. (Do keep them away from electronics.) The magnetic marbles and discs allow children to explore magnetic properties even more (Our kids have fun seeing how many disks and marbles they could hold in a chain.) A magnet set is a must-have for any school or homeschool science shelf, and you can’t go wrong with this as a gift!
Marble Runs
We love marble runs! This is not just for the kids; parents and grandparents will want to get in on the building. The configurations that can be built are MANY! This is a great resource for teaching about physics and gravity. (What is happening when a marble stops? Why did one marble travel faster than the other to the bottom?) Over the years, we added extra pieces. Even the engineers in our family have enjoyed this resource. I do recommend purchasing the largest set you can afford, as it will provide additional bases needed to build larger configurations. READ MORE ABOUT THIS FUN MARBLE RUN ON AMAZON!
Super Wooden Dominoes 249 Piece Building Set with Stairs, Bridge & Bell for Ages 3-10
There are endless configuration possibilities with this set! Excellent for building spatial and small motor skills. Although the age specs say 3-10, everyone will enjoy getting in on the dominoes course set up. This is an excellent learning tool for exploring cause and effect, kinetic energy, and motion. Activity suggestion–once you have this set and have set up a dominoes course, film the dominoes falling over and record in slow motion.