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.

Make a whole bunch of fun and instructive Lego® machines/chain reaction models like marble runs and mousetraps involving ramps, buckets, funnels balances and much more. Comes with (33) Lego® elements, (6) Lego® balls, a dozen paper props, and a 78-page instruction booklet for (10) machines. You add a few common household items. Includes suggestions for more complicated devices if you have your own Lego® pieces, and if you don't, what are you waiting for? ! WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD–Small Parts. Not for children under 3 yrs. 

For the steady-handed model-maker. These mini-models from Metal Earth® are demanding and beautiful. Use a tweezers to punch out the little pieces from the laser-cut shiny steel sheets, and assemble them using the tabs and slots--no glue, no screws. You pick the Hubble Telescope (3” x 2” x 2-1/2”), the U.S.S. Arizona (5-3/4” long) or the 1908 Ford Model T (3-1/2” x 1-7/8” x 1-3/4”). All include instructions, which you’ll need. For ages 14+.

OK, OK, it’s not actually life-size, but it’s a humongo-model, over a yard long (38-1/2”), which is 1:245 scale. It will look life-size if you lie on the floor and squint when you look up. Includes a detailed, lighted interior and no, it didn’t blow up--that was the Hindenburg. This zeppelin flew for 10 years, from 1928 to 1938, logged over 112 thousand miles in 1932 alone and averaged 56.2 mph. This model sold for $89.50 elsewhere, but for you--a special bargain because it will look so incredible floating over your dining-room table. For ages 12+.

Play The Who while you’re building this collection of all (5) sensory organs. You’ll get the parts to make free-standing Lindberg models of a nose, eye, ear, tongue and patch of skin to illustrate the senses of smell, sight, taste, hearing and touch. Models measure 9” x 5” x 6” to 7” when complete. You add paint and glue. For ages 10+.

Everything’s better in a can (or on a stick) and this creativity kit proves it. You’ll get over (50) pieces of, well, assorted stuff to create whole new creatures. Includes hunks of clay, chenilles, feathers, pompons, googly eyes, cardboard body parts, foam tape, Styrofoam, glue and a little wind-up walking mechanism so your creations can be mobile.

Including bubbles as big as your grandmother. You get 2 oz of fluid; (4) straws; a mouthpiece; cubical, pyramid, star and round frames, 108" of yarn (for the bubbe-sized bubble); a tray and instructions for (11) kinds of bubble activities.

It's small, as actual solar systems go, and you have to assemble it, but still…. You snap together this (not-to-scale) model of our solar system, paint it, and position the pieces. You get (6) colors plus a tube of glow-in-the-dark paint and a brush, the (8) planets (Pluto didn't make the cut, remember), and cardboard rings for Saturn. Sizes range from just under 1/2" for Mercury to the 1-7/16" sun. The finished model is articulated and stands approx 4" tall x 12" across on a 3-7/8" dia gray plastic base.

Budding lapidarians will lap up this rock polishing kit which is so complete it even contains some rocks. The polishing tumbler has a (3 lb. /1 qt.) fifteen sided rubber barrel and is driven by a 115 VAC motor. Overall dimensions are 6" x 6" x 7-1/2" high. In addition to the tumbler, the kit includes an assortment of jewelry findings, a #300 4-Step Grit Pack and a detailed manual giving you easy to follow instructions. But don't think of it only as useful for jewelry making. As a hobby, our Uncle George for many years collected and polished a wide variety of rocks which he found interesting and made beautiful in and of themselves. The #300 4-Step Grit Pack is also available separately, for when your grit has run low, and includes 4oz. coarse, 4oz fine, 2oz. prepolish and 2oz polish grits. 

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.

Return with us now to those golden days of yesteryear, when models were made of wood. You pick the successful Spirit of St. Louis airplane, 5-1/2” long with a 7-3/4” wingspan, or the less-successful model Titanic, 7-1/4” long. You’ll need to supply your own glue, sandpaper, paint and tiny iceberg or Charles Lindbergh.

From Engino®, this 180-piece robotics teaching kit includes instructions for building (8) robots (4 included; 4 online) using their ERP (Engino® Robotics Platform) software for control, with pre-recorded and manual programming. Includes (2) 23-page manuals to get you started, plus (2) motors, (2) infrared sensors, a controller, interface cables and a slew of snap-together parts and pieces. Works with Windows Vista, XP, 7, 8 and 10, but not Mac. You add a trio of “AAA”s. Designed for teaching ages 8-16+.

We woodn't kid you; we always like wooden kits best. More organic. These are all pre-cut, unfinished pine and include nails. You add wood glue, simple hand tools and paint. This little birdhouse, which will be approx 6" long x 3-1/4" square will keep your small feather friends happy and protected from the elements. Great as a craft project by itself, or a handy science teaching aid for youngsters or young adults that are ready to be kicked out of your nest.

Meet the STEM-friendly hydraulic gearbot. The completed, syringe-driven device will stand a foot tall and involve a completely unnecessary but fascinating series of gears and levers to hurl a projectile from the basket on the top arm. In dye-cut plywood, it takes an hour or two for an 8+ year-old. Includes all parts. All you add is patience and water.

Science In A Pop Bottle This kit comes in a pop bottle and includes Pop Bottle Science, a 120-page book with (79) chemistry-based experiments that make use of standard plastic pop bottles. Includes a separable 2-liter bottle, screw cap, cork, (2) balloons and small measuring cup. You add common household items and additional pop bottles.

Or maybe not. Hotel managers get funny about rocket launches, but this is NASA-level fun for the backyard, or maybe a cheap motel parking lot. The Stomp Rocket™ uses no batteries, fuel, diet cola or anything else but your feet. And good stomp on the 4" X 8" "Blast Pad" can get you 200 feet of lift at speeds up to 100mph. You get (4) bright yellow plastic rockets, 9" long x 7/8" dia, with soft, round nose cones (bulbs?) for safety's sake, and a tripod gantry. Fine adjustments even allow for accuracy contests. If the neighbors have really high roofs, or you manage to achieve orbit, we've got a (2) pack of replacement rockets.

Just like the original Stomp® Rocket but slightly smaller for slightly smaller feet, the Stomp® Rocket Jr. Glow also, you guessed it, glows in the dark. Includes (4) 8-3/4" tall foam rockets, launch tripod, 3-foot hose and the launching pad on which you or your young 'uns stomp to launch it up to 100 feet. Runs on air alone (no more waiting for your liquid hydrogen order from NASA) so it's safe. For ages 3 and up, depending upon shoe size.

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. Some soldering required.