A good basic kit with everything you need to build a very simple crystal radio. This is not hi-tech hi-fi. Geared for ages eight and up, it is a complete kit with wonderfully straight forward instructions which walk the experimenter through hooking up wire coil, diode, variable capacitor and earphone, and experimenting to find useful antennas. Excellent education, recreation and discovery device all at the same time. A simple kit with hours of fun in it.

Electronics fans, musicians and budding Sci-Fi sound engineers will love this little starter electronics kit for making a mini version of a theremin, the venerable capacitance-based instrument that’s synonymous with eerie sounds. This one skips the volume antenna, but has a quantization mode as well as a continuous swoop via the pitch antenna. You add a 9V battery and some minimal soldering skills. Includes all parts, including IC sockets. Measures 2” square, and includes excellent instructions. You might want to get a little project box for it. Made in the USA for Madlab/Velleman.Ages 10+.

The vegetable- or fruit-powered clock never gets old. You get (2) copper and (2) zinc electrodes, 4" x 1/8", a couple of pieces of wire and a little 1-1/8" dia LCD clock. You don't add any batteries, just bring a lemon, lime, grapefruit, potato, kiwi, strawberries (or some cola if you're not a healthy eater) and time is on your side. Ages 5+.

Cool kit to introduce the beginner (age 10+) to the fabulous world of electronics. You will learn the basics of putting together circuits through over 50 projects building actual devices like an alarm, a radio, a metal detector and much more. The simple but complete instructions explain voltage, current resistance etc. This kit from Elenco is a giant "breadboard" with wires that can be connected to form the circuits as explained in the instructions…and all without soldering! A fabulous educational item at a fabulous surplus price!! For ages 10+.

Nice little 8-LED running light kit from Velleman® has program and speed controls. You control which lights go on and off, and how fast they "run" in sequence. It's the basic concept used in those vintage blinking signs that entice you into car dealerships, amusement parks and cocktail lounges. You get the PC board and all the parts except the 9V battery you need to let the little lights shine. Ages 10+, as some soldering is required.

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.

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+.

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+.

Electronic fun with just a hint of soldering from Madlab. You pick: the lie detector kit, with a PC board and components, or the LED logic game with diodes and transistors that pit your skill against moving a peg along (36) pads. You should be able to assemble either kit in under an hour with a little light soldering. You add a 9V battery to both. For ages 10 and up. Soldering iron not included. But we have one, and it’s item #88242 for $6.95.

It’s like Poirot on account of it’s also from Belgium, but Hercule doesn’t light up and flash in red, blue and green. This easy-to-solder kit has a 2” dia clear plastic ball with a red/green/blue LED and phototransistor inside. Has flash and fade modes, a little hanging tab for a hook on top, and runs on a CR2032 button-cell battery, which, conveniently, we carry (item # 93242). Add some small items or decorations inside the ball to create personalized ornaments for any holiday or occasion.