Features:

  • Build unlimited electronic games and gadgets
  • Learn about electronic engineering using the modular system and microprocessor
  • Includes 6 base boards, battery module, variable resistor module, microprocessor module, tricolor LED module, speaker module, photodiode module, tilt switch module, 6-LED array module, 2 push button modules, 31 jumper wires, 48-page book. Batteries not included.
  • STEM Focus: Electronics
  • For ages 8 and up
Interesting and educational.

Very interesting toy for kids, they learn a little science and have fun at the same time. However the base piece is a little hard to put together as a cube, it connects on one side then get loose on the other side. But otherwise, there are 50 ways to play and connect parts to show lights in different colors, flashing lights, dim and brighten lights with a dial, different sounds, control sounds with a dial etc. Interesting and educational.

Amazing how much can now be done with such a simple to use kit

Thirty years ago, I bought an allegedly-simple Snap Circuits electronics kit for my 8 year old son. It was a bit beyond him at the time, but good enough that he kept it around and recently passed it on to his own 8 year old son, who similarly kind of likes it, but still finds it complex. Wondering how things have changed in thirty years, I was eager to try this new set on my 8 year old grandson, and today was the day. As hoped, he was indeed interested, and happy to explore the kit. I'd expected him to first read the manual, but rather he just dived in, trying to build one of the middle projects (a light detector that makes a speaker crow like a rooster when exposed to light.) Once I pointed out there were step-by-step instructions to follow on the left side of the page, he was up and at it, with almost no additional help needed. Within a few minutes, he had it doing something, but had one wire connected one position off initially. Once we rechecked his work, all was well, with crowing every time we flipped on the lights in that room. This is the grandson who never ranks anything above a 3 out of 5, but he gave this kit a 4.5. From anyone else, that's a solid perfect 5 stars. One aspect of this kit is both a strength and a weakness: The kit consists mostly of ten "black box" preassembled electronic modules that merely need to be placed on modular boards and wired together with pre-terminated color-coded wires of various lengths. On the good side, this lets even an eight year old build microprocessor-controlled devices that do interesting things. On the other hand, it's a long way from understanding how such devices work at the discrete element level. The manual is about the right length and reading level, colorful and well organized, even though our grandson had no interest in reading it in the way its authors expected. I'm fairly sure he'll go back and do that later, once he's built enough of the projects to want to know how it all works under the covers. One negative is the battery case: it requires 3 AAA batteries that are not included, and that can't be inserted without a tiny Phillips screwdriver that is also not included. Worse, that screw arrived nearly stripped (see attached photo) - I got the cover off, batteries inserted, and cover back on, but there's no way my grandson could have done so even with the jeweler's screwdriver I used. Unless the makers somehow think an eight year old can be harmed by inserting 3 AAA batteries, a cover the user can open and close would have made more sense. Despite my quibbles, this is an excellent set, light years beyond the one available thirty years ago, and highly recommended.

8-year-old loves it

My 8 year old son really really likes this and uses it for hours some days, building different circuits, small games (ping pong lights), etc. He's really interested in the concepts and enjoys the challenge of building the projects in the book.

This Made Me Love Science!

I hated science as a kid, and especially despised the units we'd learn about electricity. However, my 6-year old LOVES STEM toys, so I thought this might be fun for him and his dad. :) Well, I played it with him the first time on a snow day from school, and I was hooked!! The booklet lays out each activity (I think there's 45 total) with easy to follow instructions and explanations and diagrams that explain how circuits work, in language a 6-year old (or anti-science minded parent) can understand! The activity book flows in a logical manner so each activity/lesson builds upon what you learned previously. I'm looking forward to more "playtime" with our new toy! :)

Son loves it

My son is obsessed with this and absolutely loves it. With all the things he can do with it and keeps his mind busy while learning is a plus. The wires can be hard to put into the little sockets sometimes but other than that I think it's such a good product and I would highly suggest it to any child that is hands on and has an interest in how things work and creating things.

It was a great addition!

I teach 5th grade science. I use Elenco Snap Circuits throughout the year. I added this product to my hands-on centers. It was a great addition!!! One of my brightest students exclaimed, "Now I feel like I am actually wiring something!" It has held up to daily use by 3 classes so far. If nothing gets broken in the first few uses and kids can work it out of the box without asking me 20 questions or just giving up, I consider it a success. This product and the seller were problem free for me. Thanks!!

Great gift for an 8 year old who is curious about electricity

I got this for my 8 year old who is interested in all things mechanical and electrical. This educational toy has exceeding my expectations as the book is also fabulous and teaches the underlying electrical principles. My son loves playing with this and making the lights and sounds in the various circuits.

Rounding up to 5 stars

Received this as part of the Amazon STEM subscription for 8-13 year olds. My 7 year old son is picky. This, he loves; therefore, I love. He spent almost 3 hours just today working on the first 17 builds. The set has a total of 50 builds in the instructions. I'm not a fan exactly of the instructions format, but we figured it out, and he rolled on by himself after the 2nd build. This is definitely worth the money, in my opinion.

Awesome set!

My boys (ages 9, 7, & 6) love this set!! They got it for Christmas and have built every single thing in it. Thier favorite project was building a doorbell for thier bedroom door. So cool! They are great at building Lego sets, so they were able to follow the manual and make all the various items without help. They love creating things and I love that they are using thier brains and hands to make something of thier very own. Total win!

Great set for homeschool

This is a great way to learn about circuits. It has real wires too hook up to real components such as push buttons, LED lights, speaker, microprocessor and more (not like the cheap circuit sets). My only complaint, which is minuscule, is that the wires can be difficult to push in sometimes and the wire ends bend easily. That could be frustrating for younger kids. We received it as part of the Amazon STEM club. We currently use this set in our homeschool for science.. My son loves it.

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