The 10 Best Electricity Science Projects

With over 300 projects in one box, kids will use the popular Snap Circuits SC-300 (appx. $42) for years. It's safe for them to explore on their own, as everything snaps together with no need for soldering or tools. Conveniently, the projects are arranged in order of difficulty.

Motivated teens and adults with basic computer programming knowledge can start tinkering in the world of Arduino with the Elegoo Mega 2560 (about $60). This 200 component starter kit provides you with high-quality pieces, including a pre-soldered breadboard.

Designed for the early elementary set, the Science Wiz Kit (around $7) makes a great introduction to this discipline. A lot of everyday materials are used, with step-by-step directions to help children as young as kindergarten age understand the concepts.

The Green Science Potato Clock (appx. $8) provides all the components you need for this time-honored experiment, except for the spuds. It's recommended for ages 8 and over but, with the help of a parent, this will capture the interests of even younger children.

For the curious older child who really wants to explore how things work, the Lerbor Electricity and Magnetism Kit (appx. $52) is less toy-like than others. The manual is broken down into chapters and encourages critical thinking by asking questions before and after each activity.

The Snap Circuits Lights (appx. $58) offers a bright and flashy take on the brand's classic kit. Most projects incorporate a lighting component, including a color changing LED, a glow-in-the-dark flying fan, and a light-up organ that you can control by hooking up your smartphone.

You may recognize the Elenco Playground 130 (about $36) from your childhood, and this model hasn't changed much since then. The vintage learning center functions with safe and simple spring coil connections that just about anybody can hook up.

If you have a child who is reluctant to play with educational toys, the Dimple Lectrixs (appx. $19) features vibrant, colorful pieces that resemble popular building blocks, so it looks like fun. The clear bricks light up nicely and many experiments also make engaging sounds.

The WHDTS Smart Car (appx. $10) can be an engaging project for a teen if you already own a soldering iron. Once built, there's more fun in store, as the completed car can follow a dark track that you design with simple black electrical tape.

While the circuit components in the Arshiner Educational Kit (appx. $15) closely resemble a popular snap-together brand, this set also introduces the concept of alternative sources of energy. You can run the projects with batteries, or use solar power or a hand crank.