ELECTRONIC KITS

Zivko the Robot. Our best selling STEM kit ever! Just call her (or him--it’s unclear and we don’t like to ask) “Zivko” because “the Robot” is her last name. Using just a screwdriver and side cutters, you build Zivko from this 107-piece S.T.E.M. kit. Set the mode for “Follow Me” or “Explore,” and Zivko will, yes, track you, or evade obstacles, respectively, via an infrared sensor and micro-controller programming. Interactive LEDs and sounds abound. Measures approx 5" x 5-1/2" x 6-1/2" when assembled with all (6) legs. You add (4) “AA”s for power, which is the least you can do for someone this cute. Ages 10+.

Looking to upgrade and build a more advanced robot with more programming options? Try the Tobbie II!   https://www.sciplus.com/tobbie-ii-diy-coding-robot-kit-65185-p

It doesn't get much cooler in the robotic-arm-kit game. The assembled STEM educational arm is 15" tall x 9" long x approx 3-1/2" wide. It's 2-pronged hand opens to 1-3/4", lifts up to 3.5 oz (100g), swings 120 degrees at the wrist, pivots 300 degrees at the elbow, and sits on a base that swings 180 degrees up and down and rotates 270 degrees, like, well, an arm. Controlled by (5) 2-axis joy-sticks and powered by (4) D-Cell batteries that you provide. Includes a hand-mounted search light and over-torque and gear-breakage alarms, which is more than your arm has. Requires a diagonal cutter and Philips screwdriver for assembly of its 200+ pieces and is made for ages 12 and up.

His name is Tobbie II, and although he stands only about 6-7/8” tall, he does sport (6) actual feet, which is why he has such an agile, 360-degree, free-rotation body. You build him yourself (easy-peasy if you’re over 10) and program him on your computer, tablet or smartphone. Comes out of the box pre-programmed with Assembly Checker and Program #1, so the fun starts right away. Use him as a light tracker or thermometer, or to play rock-paper-scissors or bowling, or as a notice board, calculator or compass, or as a pet who will follow you. He’ll do other things, too. Includes a 36-page manual, and all you add is a quartet of “AAA” batteries and some common hand tools.

Everything you need to build a little DC motor is included in this kit (except sandpaper, screwdriver, scissors and, of course, an AA battery). The instructions are simple and explain the theory as well as assembly. Fun and educational for ages 12 and up.

with our best selling electronics kit. Build 100 or more electronic projects from a Reflection Detector to a Simple Salt Water Alarm with Snap Circuits Jr. The Elenco kit, a Dr. Toy Winner, has a grid base and a selection of conductors, resistors, switches, integrated circuits and more, for a total of (30) color-coded snap-in parts. For ages 8 to 108, the easy-to-use components and well-designed instruction manual make this a perfect way to spend some quality time with a bright young child! AWARDS: The National Parenting Center-Seal of Approval, Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products, Dr Toy Best Educational Products. Ages 8+. See our full line of Elenco Snap Circuits here!

Our robotic kingii dragon (Chlamydosaurus kingii, or frilled-neck lizard) is better than a puppy because you don't have clean up after it and it won't chew the furniture. This STEM education kit has (2) motors and digital control via IR sensors to activate LED eyes, motorized mouth and pop-out neck frill, plus "Escape" and "Chase" modes, which make it retreat and follow you using IR sensors, respectively. You'll need (4) "AAA" batteries and some patience, as this kit is delightfully challenging. Finished dragon will be 13-1/2" long x 8-1/4" x 5". For ages 10+.

An advanced kit compared to the others, a little more deluxe and a little more complicated. It is an AM/FM radio kit from Elenco with over 80 pieces divided into lesson groups. PC board shows component placement to help learning and to minimize errors. It has (14) transistors and (4) diodes and the case measures 11"x 5"x2-1/4". Ages 12+, as considerable soldering is required.

if you want to sound like a steam engine, and who among us doesn't? This Velleman® steam-engine sound generator kit comes with circuit board, components, battery connectors, speaker and instruction sheet. You add solder, a soldering iron and a 9V battery. Volume and (implied) speed are adjustable and there's a horn button, so it'll go both choo-choo and whoo-whoo. Great for train hobbyists or people bored with their doorbell. Ages 10+.

Our electronic MadLab bagpipe kit will slip into your shirt pocket or sporran. No plaid lower garments required, and, as usual, undergarments are up to you. This nice starter electronics kit has a transistor-based oscillator and 8-position stylus-activated “keyboard.” Output is via a piezo disc. Minimal soldering skills needed, and assembly should take under an hour. Add a 9V battery for power and you’ll be thrown out of class, or recruited into battle, within the first six notes. Ages 10+.

We don’t altogether understand the name, but we like this beginners’ electronics kit. Has (4) pairs of blue LEDs and a Peripheral Interface Controller (PIC) to cycle through various patterns on a 2-3/8” octagonal PC board with decorative wire coils to give it a steampunkish look. Lights change pattern in a circle, like a certain superhero arc reactor. You add (2) CR2025 batteries. Should take under an hour to wire up, and has immediate results.

For pre-soldering-age kids with electronic interests (and maybe an artistic bent), this swell kit has hunks of conductive clay in orange, black, green and blue plus some ordinary white clay for insulation. Includes (20) assorted blue, yellow, green and white LEDs, a battery holder and a 52-page book for making (15) projects, although they’ll just be a start. You add a quartet of “AA” batteries and an inventive kid at age 8 up.

Snap Circuits® kits are perennial faves here at the home office, and this 47-piece kit is an electronic honey. The most fun you can have without a soldering gun, and it’ll teach you about electricity and magnetism. You’ll learn how the electricity in your house works, and specifically how light switches control electricity, among many other things. Leads to more than (90) projects, and includes a 68-page profusely illustrated manual and a large base grid. The manufacturer, Elenco®, says it’s made for ages 8 to 108, but we’ve never tested it on anyone over 94, so we can’t verify that. You add a trio of “AA” batteries, which, conveniently, we can include in your order.

…is a very, very, very fine house. But it’s also complicated. Best get MyHome, a Snap Circuits® educational kit from Elenco®. Construct a house or tower with working 3D circuits to demonstrate how electricity travels and powers your home. Includes (7) colored base grids. Also features circuits, security systems, dimmer switches, automatic lights, alarms, motion sensors, fan speeds, appliance motors, generators and more. Includes an illustrated color manual with more than (30) projects and (60) parts. Ages 8 up to whatever.

For tyro electronics wizards: build your own dual white-LED strobe light. You'll need a 9V battery, solder and a soldering iron. Features a speed switch and rate control knob, and will oscillate between once and a seizure-inducing 60X per second. Draws 40mA. Ages 10+, as some soldering is required.

Just what can solar power…power? Find out with Teach Tech's Solar Fun 6 kit that comes with one solar module and one gearbox, and an assortment of snap-together plastic parts. Sunshine and a diagonal cutter required, safety glasses, of course, highly recommended. Build and easily reassemble (6) different STEM education solar-powered models (windmill, revolving plane, airboat, plane, car, solar puppy) or one of your own. Assembled units are roughly 4" across, in varying heights. For young engineers age 8 and up.

When is a toy not a toy? When you can have fun with a kid, and build a digital voice recorder at the same time. If the young Tom Edison had had one of these kits, your grandparents' lives would have been a lot easier. Elenco's Pro Model SC-500 is a Dr. Toy winner, from their Snap-Circuits" series. Has over (75) parts to snap (no soldering) into a grid and learn electronics while building an AM or FM radio, digital voice recorder, burglar alarm, doorbell, and electronic games, among over 500 experiments. For ages 8 up to adult, it includes a well-written, graphically illustrated instruction manual.

AWARDS: The National Parenting Center-Seal of Approval, Dr. Toy 100 Best Children's Products, Dr Toy Best Educational Products.

Power dozens of models with this Thames & Kosmos® Solar Mechanics kit for ages 8+. Comes with a (60)-page manual and instructions for (20) experiments. Contains (61) parts, including gears, axles and a solar motor unit with a photoelectric cell. Build models, including cars, trucks, planes, machines and robots. Parents’ Choice Foundation Gold Award winner.

Electronic fun is easy with this Arcade kit from the award-winning Snap Circuits® line. Makes (203) sound-, light- and motion-related projects, and includes, along with a lot of other sub-circuits, a programmable fan, alarm, 2-digit numerical display, disco motor and micro-controller that can be programmed for (21) games. You add (3) "AA" batteries and a player 8 or older.