In every phase of the kids’ developmental years, different kinds of science toys can slowly be introduced that can serve as tools for learning. They can benefit from the knowledge-enriched and science-based toys for better brain development and skills enhancement.
In making sure that they get the best fun experience in playing while learning, their science toy must be age-appropriate. We made a list of the best science toys for kids that are categorized according to the manufacturers’ recommended age range. But, before we get to that, we would like to share the criteria used in creating these reviews.
Highlight Features of The Best Science Toy for Kids
Educational Benefits
Our first criterion for this selection is the educational benefits that the kids can pick up from their science toys. By far, this one is the most important highlight feature that must be present in every science toy that is reviewed in this article. We ensured this as we performed an individual evaluation of each product.
Science toys for kids must have educational benefits that belong to at least one or two branches of science or fashioned according to STEM-based learning. The toy must promote interactive games that also support the improvement of their talents, gifts, and abilities. Being introduced to the essential concepts of science is fundamentally the most informational feature that is best for your kids.
Age Appropriate
The level of engagement that every science toy requires must be in line with your kids’ capability, most specifically according to their range. For them to completely appreciate the benefits of the science toy, they should be able to enjoy playing with it. Their experience in learning is just as valuable as its applicability in their developmental phase. The benefits that they can reap from the toy must then be age-appropriate.
Fun Factor
Well, they’re kids, which means that they’re meant to have fun! A lot of it!
Their childhood memories of playing are a great deal in the positive outcome of their holistic development. Although you’re aiming to teach them lessons as early as possible, you must let them feel their freedom to learn in the best way that they can. Take note of the fun factor in a science toy to complete the goal for a fun learning experience.
Design and Usability
This should be easy. Since we’re already looking for an age-appropriate science toy for kids, we can cross-check the highlight features with the design and usability of the toys. For toddlers or younger kids, the design and functions must be easier to use. Older kids can handle more complicated features, which they will find as mind-boggling and challenging.
Another factor to be considered is the durability of the toy’s materials and design. It’s better if kids can savor their toys until they can exhaust everything that gains from their science toy.
The Five Best Science Toys for Kids: 2019 Reviews
★ Science Toys For Kids Ages 2-4 Years Old
LeapFrog Dino’s Delightful Day Alphabet Book
Engross your toddlers into a delightful day of learning and storytelling with LeapFrog Dino’s Alphabet Book. They can flip through 16 interactive pages to hear the recorded stories, listen to phonetic sounds, and jam with the music. It has light-up buttons that play letter and word names and sounds. They can explore naming colors, shapes, animals, fruits, and other objects that they can see around them. This is a science toy filled with educational insights for pre-kindergarten kids eager to pick their brains in learning their first words and notes.
Product Specs and Highlights:
- Color: Green or Purple
- Weight: 1.74 pounds
- Dimensions: 12.3 x 12.5 x 2.7 inches
- Materials: Plastic and Cardboard
- Battery: 2AA
- No of Pages: 16
- Core Learning Skills: Letter names and sounds, numbers and counting, and Pre-reading
Pros
✅ No assembly required
✅ Adjustable volume levels
✅ Light-up color-coded buttons
✅ Colorful and engaging educational pages
✅ Recorded story modes
✅ Musical notes and melodic sounds
✅ A butterfly button for reading comprehension questions
✅ Batteries included for demo purposes
Cons
❎ Only two color options available
3 Bees & Me Dinosaur Toys – Set of 4
Introduce your little kids to the fun and fast Dino car toys. The 3 Bees & Me Dinosaur Toys – Set of 4 has a simple push mechanism to make the tiny dinosaur toys start to roll. Kids can race with siblings and friends for an exciting playdate with their new favorite dinosaur set.
You can also teach your little toddlers of the names of the dinosaurs and ignite their curiosity in learning more about ancient science. This could be an effective medium for knowledge, which opens a broader interest in prehistoric animals and significant scientific events.
Product Specs and Highlights:
- Colors: Red, Blue, and Green
- Material: Plastic
- Individual size: 6 inches long
Pros
✅ Environment and child-friendly
✅ Fun and educational dinosaur set
✅ A great addition for collectors
✅ Just the right size for little hands
✅ Easy to grip with smooth rounded edges
✅ Attached with wheels for an interactive play
✅ Certified BPA-free, Lead-free, and Phthalate-free
✅ Perfect gift for Birthdays, Christmas, and other special events
Cons
❎ Small wheel pieces that might fall off are not safe for little kids
★ Science Toys For Kids Ages 5-8 Years Old
Insect Lore Butterfly Growing Kit
Show your kids how nature comes alive through one of its most spectacular transformations using the Insect Lore Butterfly Growing Kit. They can watch all of the metamorphosis phases as caterpillars become beautiful butterflies.
Baby caterpillars are grown in a cup with enough nutritious food provided for them to thrive before they create their chrysalides, or most commonly known as cocoons. Their cup must be away from direct sunlight. It will take them about seven to ten days to harden their silk cocoons. Once their cocoons are settled, they can then be transferred in the mesh garden. This is where kids will wait for them to get out of their swaddles.
Now that they have transformed into butterflies, it’s time to set them free into the wild where they can complete their life cycle. Kids can then watch them as they fly away and celebrate the completion of their mission.
Product Specs and Highlights:
- Mesh size: 11.5 inches tall
- Accessories: Mesh habitat, voucher, pipette, Caterpillars to Butterflies Instruction Guide
Pros
✅ Includes a voucher for 5 baby caterpillars and food
✅ Comes with a deluxe chrysalis station log
✅ Reusable and collapsible caterpillar and butterfly habitat
✅ Transparent mesh provides visual contact to monitor the metamorphosis
✅ Kids can witness the complete process of transformation
✅ STEM.org authenticated as an educational product
Cons
❎ Additional shipping fee must be paid for the caterpillars to be home-delivered
Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket High Flying Action
There is no wonder how this Stomp Rocket toy received a Top Toy of the Year Award from Creative Child Magazine. The all-original Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket High Flying Action is a STEM-inspired interactive toy that provides year-round fun for the whole family. Kids can gain knowledge on vital science concepts such as gravity, trajectory, force, and power of the air. All of these can be learned through play. They can pair it with the Stomp Rocket Science book to boost their fascination with science. Definitely amazing!!
Product Specs and Highlights:
- Rocket/Plane type: Foam tipped Ultra Stomp Rockets
- Maximum height of flight: 200 feet
- Accessories: 4 Ultra Stomp Rockets, Launch Stand, LaunchPad with Air Hose
Pros
✅ STEM approved toy for kids
✅ No batteries required
✅ Strong and durable for outdoor play
✅ Promotes lesser screen time
✅ Ultra rockets shoot high into the sky
✅ Fun for the entire family
✅ With Stomp Rocket Ultra Rocket refill pack
Cons
❎ Exposing the foam tips to water or rain might destroy the quality of the rocket
★ Science Toys For Kids Ages 8-12 Years Old
SmartLab Toys Squishy Human Body
The SmartLab Toys Squishy Human Body will give your kids a rundown on Anatomy 101. This science toy is included with a human body model for exploration. Kids can discover how the body works from the inside. This encourages learning on how cells, organs, muscles, and bones work together for you to function. They can use forceps and tweezers to remove and attach the squishy vital organs into the human body model. The Organ-izer, along with the illustrated anatomy book, will guide kids throughout the internal organs to show how they interact with each other.
This STEAM toy encourages kids to develop skills aligned with the core disciplines of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. Finally, here is a science toy for kids that is filled with fun and active learning.
Product Specs and Highlights:
- Material: Plastic
- Accessories: 12-inch plastic human body model with stand, 9 major squishy organs, 12 plastic bones and muscles, Body Part Organ-izer, forceps and tweezers, instruction sheet, 24-page illustrated anatomy book
Pros
✅ 21 removable body parts
✅ A realistic 3-dimensional anatomical human model
✅ Detailed anatomy book for in-depth learning
✅ An extraordinary journey to the science lab
✅ Focuses on anatomy and biology
✅ STEAM toy certified
Cons
❎ Needs steady hands for careful exploration
Our Best Bet Goes To…
Before we announce our winner on this selection, we want you to know one thing. We based our decision on the level of educational advantages that the kids can acquire upon owning the science toy. Since we dissected them into an age-based category, it has become quite challenging to choose one product that is suitable for most ages. Nonetheless, here it goes.
We are proud to announce that our best bet goes to the SmartLab Toys Squishy Human Body. We are aware that the little kids cannot handle this kind of science toy just yet. However, there is a majority of kids that can benefit from this product. Your adorable toddlers can wait for their turn in squishing these organs and in learning about human anatomy in the future. It could be something that they can look forward to as they grow up. As for now, your youngsters can enjoy exploring the SmartLab Toys Squishy Human Body and discover all the fun and awesome things that the human body can do.