Science kit deals 2023: Fun & educational STEM sets on offer at Amazon, Target, and more

Science kit deals - Kid doing science
(Image credit: Getty)

If you’re looking for science kit deals for kids, you’ve come to the right place. It’s natural for youngsters to be curious about the world around them, and how things work. Indeed, if you’re a parent you’ve probably had to endure your child asking you “why?” constantly since they were old enough to say the word. But this appetite for knowledge is a good thing, and a great way to teach a child about some of the more interesting elements in our world is with a science kit.

Science kits come in various shapes and forms, covering the whole spectrum of scientific learning. Some focus on traditional biology and chemistry, while others deal with robotics, or geology, or even weather systems. Finding the right one will depend on where your child’s interests lie. But in rounding up the best science kit deals, we’ve made sure to include a wide range, so hopefully you’ll find something suitable here.

Most science kits are recommended for ages eight and over, so that’s something to bear in mind if you’re choosing one for your own kid or as a gift. However, we have found some that are suitable for younger children, and where that’s the case, we’ve included it in the description.

And so, whether it’s a box of weird and wacky experiments you’re after, or a real, working microscope to act as an introduction to microbiology, you’ll find a science kit deal to suit. Happy shopping!

If you’re looking for other ways to spend time as a family, how about checking out our round-up of board game deals? You’ll also find more science-based fun in our guide to the best chemistry sets.

Science kit deals

Science kits come in all shapes and sizes, and so here’s a few more that don’t fit under into any one discipline. How about one that lets youngsters build their own functioning rocket? The Water Rocket Kit lets you build a rocket capable of going 100 feet in the air, and it’s a steal for just $19.98. Or if you’d prefer to stay on the ground, we’ve found a great deal on a Crystal-growing set from Discovery. Watch your own crystals grow in real-time. Mind-blowing. 

Discovery Crystal Aquarium: was $19.98 (opens in new tab)

Discovery Crystal Aquarium: was $19.98 now $11.70 at Amazon (opens in new tab)

First, your budding scientist will decorate their own transparent aquarium, and once it’s all set up, it contains everything they need to grow their own crystals. This kit allows children to grow crystals of various colors, taking just two hours to grow up to four inches in size.

Water Rocket Kit for Kids: was $29.98 (opens in new tab)

Water Rocket Kit for Kids: was $29.98 now $19.98 at Walmart (opens in new tab)
This rocket kit from Bloonsy contains everything needed for kids to create their own rocket. It might not quite reach outer space, but it will give youngsters a hands-on understanding of how rockets work. The finished model will be 16.5 inches, and providing you do everything right, it can travel up to 100 feet. 

4M Weather Science Kit: was $16.99 (opens in new tab)

4M Weather Science Kit: was $16.99 now $10.99 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
This mini observatory is aimed at kids over five, giving them an excellent understanding of how the weather works. Use static electricity to create lightning, build a miniature water cycle, and make clouds in your hands. You’ll just need to have an empty soda bottle to hand before you get started.

National Geographic Mega Science Lab: was $79.99 (opens in new tab)

National Geographic Mega Science Lab: was $79.99 now $69.99 at Amazon (opens in new tab) (with coupon)
This giant science kit packs in over 90 pieces of equipment that can be used in 75 different experiments. Whether your child is into Earth science, chemistry or ‘science magic’, this kit contains something to suit. There’s months worth of entertainment here - just make sure to click the ‘coupon’ button before adding it to your basket to get the discount.

Chemistry set deals

Let’s face it: chemistry is fun when you’re a kid. The idea of mixing together substances to create something new? It’s almost magical. These chemistry-focused science kit deals are a great place to start when it comes to getting kids interested in science. The hands-on experiments are ideal for kids who prefer to learn through doing. We particularly dig Nat Geo’s Gross Chemistry set, which ingeniously combines gooey grossness with genuine science-based education.

Kids Science Lab-in-a-Box: was $49.99 (opens in new tab)

Kids Science Lab-in-a-Box: was $49.99 now $34.99 on Amazon (opens in new tab)
We think this Lab-in-a-Box kit from Kids Science is an absolute steal. Aimed at children aged five and up, there’s everything you need to create more than 20 different experiments. It even includes a white lab coat to help little ones feel the part. And with everything coming in a plastic container, it’s super easy to tidy away when you’re done.

National Geographic Completely Gross Chemistry Set: was $39.99 (opens in new tab)

National Geographic Completely Gross Chemistry Set: was $39.99 now $34.99 at Target (opens in new tab)
This STEM-led science kit is all about gross stuff – think gooey boogers, brain dissections, glow in the dark worms and more. What kid doesn’t love disgusting, squishy stuff? There’s everything you need here to carry out 20 different experiments.

Mechanical & robotic science kit deals

Bringing inanimate objects to life is fascinating, and a great way to get children interested in STEM subjects is to introduce them to basic robotics. We’ve picked out three kids that do a fantastic job of doing so. The Lego Gear Bots kit uses cogs rather than circuits, so it’s a great place for younger kids to start. But the Tin Can Robot Science Kit, which lets you animate a used tin can, is a bargain for just $10.98. 

Klutz Lego Gear Bots: was $24.99 (opens in new tab)

Klutz Lego Gear Bots: was $24.99 now $18.74 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
Combining Lego with science is a sure-fire way to get younger kids interested in STEM-focused activities. This Klutz science kit contains everything needed to create eight cog-powered machines, accompanied by some adorable papercraft beasts.

JIMU Robot UnicornBot Kit: was $99.99 (opens in new tab)

JIMU Robot UnicornBot Kit: was $99.99 now $75.88 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
For kids who love unicorns and magical animals, we don’t think science kits get much better than the UnicornBot from JIMU. Lego Technic-type plastic bricks are used to build the Unicorn’s limbs, which can then be programmed to move. It’s a great introduction to coding and robotics.

Tin Can Robot Science Kit: was $16.99 (opens in new tab)

Tin Can Robot Science Kit: was $16.99 now $16.15 at Amazon (opens in new tab)
Not much of a saving, but just look at this little guy. Perhaps one of the best budget science kits we’ve come across, all you need to bring this cute little robot to life is an old tin can. The kit contains everything needed to bring it to life, teaching kids the basics of mechanical engineering and robotics. Plus, it has googly eyes. What’s not to love?

Biology science kit deals

We’d argue that the human body is one of the most important science elements to teach kids. After all, we’ve all got a body, and understanding how it works is fundamental. We’ve gone for two kits each with a very different approach to anatomy. The Squishy Human Body kit from SmartLab is a great way to familiarize kids with the body itself, while the Disgusting Science kit gets them up-close-and-personal with bacteria and bodily functions. 

SmartLab Squishy Human Body: was $29.99 (opens in new tab)

SmartLab Squishy Human Body: was $29.99 now $24.99 at Walmart (opens in new tab)
Forget heading into space or programming a robot. This Squishy Human Body kit is designed to teach kids about something a little closer to home: their own bodies. Each of its 29 pieces represents a body part, which can be removed and reassembled as youngsters learn basic human anatomy. 

Scientific Explorer Disgusting Science Kit: was $23.99 (opens in new tab)

Scientific Explorer Disgusting Science Kit: was $23.99 now $13.99 at Amazon (opens in new tab)

This Disgusting Science Kit may not be quite as serious as other biology kits out there, it’s certainly one of the most entertaining. It’s a fun, hands-on way to teach kids about their own body, its functions, and all the weird and wonderful byproducts it produces. There’s everything you need to get hands on with a number of experiments, including one where you can grow your own friendly bacteria.

Microscope deals

Microscope science kits have been around for decades, but it’s an area of science that never gets old or goes out of fashion. The power to zoom in hundreds of times to see what makes up a speck of dirt will always be fascinating - particularly to children. 

We’ve found three excellent microscope science kit deals here, all offering something slightly different. There’s the National Geographic Explorer microscope, suitable for the youngest of children, up to the more serious-looking AmScope. No matter the age of your budding scientist, there’s a microscope to suit.

The Magic School Bus Microscope Lab: was $24.99 (opens in new tab)

The Magic School Bus Microscope Lab: was $24.99 now $20.99 at Walmart (opens in new tab)

Remember 'The Magic School Bus'? It’s still around, educating kids on a wide variety of STEM subjects. The Microscope Lab is a brilliant science kit at a great price: not only does it include a fully-functioning microscope, it also includes prepared slides of fungi and algae. There’s also 20 printed experiment cards to encourage learning.

AmScope 120X-1200X 52-pcs Kids Beginner Microscope: was $54.99 (opens in new tab)

AmScope 120X-1200X 52-pcs Kids Beginner Microscope: was $54.99 now $40.53 at Amazon (opens in new tab)

It calls itself a ‘beginner’ microscope, but this kit from AmScope is seriously professional-looking. It’s great for older kids who want to feel like a real scientist. It comes with a 52-piece accessory kit, including useful things like slides and test tubes. And it all comes in a hard plastic carry case for easy storage.

National Geographic Explorer Series Microscope for Kids: $39.99 at Amazon (opens in new tab)

National Geographic Explorer Series Microscope for Kids: $39.99 at Amazon (opens in new tab)

No deal at the moment, but this set is great value for money even at it's MSRP so we thought it's worth mentioning. This National Geographic microscope is specially designed for the youngest curious minds. Suitable for ages three and up, it’s got a robust, chunky build quality and features extra-large focus wheels, easier for smaller hands to grab and twist. This is still a fully-functioning microscope, however, sporting up to 400x magnification.

Contributing writer

Kim is a UK-based freelancewriter who focuses on Lego, toys and video game-related content. She's the co-creator of GameSpew.com and ThatBrickSite.com, where you'll find most of her work. If she's not building with plastic bricks, playing a video game, or writing about doing either of those things, you should probably check she's still breathing. You can find her on Twitter at @ichangedmyname.