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An awesome choice that provides a ton of experiments to help get kids excited about science.
Comes with 45 included experiments and instructions for 30 more using household items. Has 3 different categories of experiments; Earth Science, Science Magic, and Chemistry. The instructions are easy to follow.
Some of the experiments can be quite messy.
A fun STEM activities kit that draws on fundamental geologist principles for digging and cleaning.
Includes 15 different gemstones that you can identify and learn more about as you find them. The digging block is durable enough to encourage hours of play. The included tools are easy to use and they can be reused with other toys.
Some users noted that not all of the gemstone types are included.
Learn basic principles of engineering with this high-quality and durable set.
The wood material allows for all 3 of the creations to be durable and long-lasting. Comes with paper targets for added fun. Each included kit is easy to assemble. The pieces all fit together fairly tightly, adding stability.
Some of the instructions can be a little unclear.
A fun set that once you learn how to build it, you will be able to be as creative as you want.
Comes with a large variety of action pieces that force the marble to roll in new and exciting ways. Each piece is easy to snap together and take apart. Features marbles that glow in the dark thanks to an included light source.
Depending on how you build a tower, it might not be very sturdy.
An excellent choice that our team found to be the perfect introduction to geology and other STEM principles.
The tumbler is well-built with a high-quality motor and a stainless steel lid to ensure it works for years to come. During trials, we loved how easy it was to set up and the end result for the rocks is quite amazing. Comes with stones and grit to get started.
It takes roughly a month to get the best results, so some patience is required.
We recommend these products based on an intensive research process that's designed to cut through the noise and find the top products in this space. Guided by experts, we spend hours looking into the factors that matter, to bring you these selections.
Updated October 2023
As far as children’s games and interactive activities go, there is a never-ending smorgasbord in every category you can imagine: sports, board games, video games, and more. The list goes on and on. While many of these are entertaining, not all are the most useful as far as learning and development go. National Geographic kits, however, are a great way for kids to have fun while fostering a passion and excitement for learning.
Your choice of National Geographic kit is easy to figure out once you pinpoint your child’s curiosities, abilities, and skills. A good buying guide that outlines the types of National Geographic kits, what they contain, and how children can benefit from them will help get your shopping started.
National Geographic kits, often referred to as STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics) kits, are excellent learning instruments for developing minds. They incorporate activities and experiments that stimulate creativity, problem-solving, and critical thinking to improve cognitive function.
These kits are affordable, easy-to-use tools for kinesthetic learning, which is ideal for cultivating focus and concentration. National Geographic kits are meant to inspire a greater desire for knowledge in young children and adolescents, plus they’re lots of fun!
Interests: When choosing a National Geographic kit, you should consider your child’s interests, skills, and preferences. The kits have different themes and focus on different subjects, so choosing one that your child is already curious about would be ideal. Choose a kit on a topic that you think your child will use, enjoy, and benefit from.
Age: National Geographic kits specify an age range for users, which is intended as a guideline for the cognitive abilities required to complete the kit activity. Many of the kits are aimed at children aged 8 and older, but this isn’t a rigid rule. Consider your child’s knowledge, age, and problem-solving abilities as you examine your kit options. Your child might be younger than the age recommendation but still have the skills needed to use the kit. On the other hand, you don’t want to buy a kit for a toddler that is designed for a child in elementary school.
You’ll benefit from preparing a specific workspace with enough room and the necessary protective materials for your child as they conduct their kit experiments.
Choose an area with ample space, preferably a table and chair on hard flooring that’s easy to clean in case of spills. Protect the table surface with a tablecloth or sheet of butcher paper and keep a small towel or cloth nearby to clean up any spills.
You want to make sure the area is well-lit and close to a faucet or sink because many National Geographic kits require the use of water. If you want one with a lower risk of mess and that requires less preparation, look for simple kits that exclude the use of liquids.
There are a number of tutorials online to assist kids with their National Geographic kits. If your child is confused or would simply like more guidance, you can find a video to help.
It’s important to note that there are comprehensive National Geographic kits that include experiments or activities from more than one of these categories. There are also kits that specialize in each of the following areas.
National Geographic has Mega fossil and gemstone kits and other geology-related kits that contain a collection of rocks, minerals, and fossils. These kits are often geared toward excavation and come with tools for carving and digging. They include a learning guide that informs the user about the various materials as they are uncovered. This kit category also includes rock guides and rock tumbling kits whose main function is polishing rocks and minerals.
Geode kits are very hands-on because they feature tools that children use to crack open each geode to reveal the interior. These are very easy to use and learn from, and the sparkly and colorful elements are fascinating to most children. Kids can also read about the different geodes and learn about their history. They can then place the open geodes on display in their bedroom or playroom.
Some of the most popular National Geographic kits for kids are the Crystal Growing Labs. Children can use a “crystal-growing” solution and watch crystals form over the course of a few days. Many of these kits come with a lighted stand that illuminates the finished crystals. There are also National Geographic kits for growing herbs that teach kids how to start their own herb gardens.
The National Geographic Science series mainly features experiments, such as the Vanishing Test Tube, and chemistry sets. These integrate elements of chemistry, combining multiple solutions to experiment for different results. This category includes the Microscope Explorer kit, which teaches kids how to operate a microscope and examine slides.
These National Geographic kits are highly entertaining favorites and very simple to use. These include all the necessary ingredients to mimic real volcanic eruptions, and they come with enough supplies to carry out the experiment more than once.
Another popular category includes kits that involve slime and various types of putty. Children can make slimes and putties and then play with them to form different creatures, shapes, and sculptures. There are also kits that feature arts and crafts, such as rock painting and papermaking.
Some National Geographic kits are designed as spy missions, power rocket missions, and build kits that construct machines like catapults.
There are also National Geographic magic kits, plus those that combine magic with science. These include a number of tricks and effects that children can easily learn and perform.
The most affordable National Geographic kits for kids cost between $16 and $25. These are limited to simpler activities like volcano eruptions and growing crystals, and they don’t last as long because they enable fewer uses.
These kits cost $25 to $55 and are usually sets that combine multiple activities and experiments, such as the Earth Science kit or Science Magic kit. You can also buy a basic rock tumbling kit at the upper end of this price range.
The most expensive kits cost $55 to $100. These include larger kits like the Mega Science Labs that include more than 75 different activities. You’ll also find higher-quality rock tumbling kits and microscope kits in this price bracket.
To keep your child’s hands clean, they can wear gloves while doing the experiments. Child-size gardening gloves or some disposable gloves will work. Just make sure they’re thin enough that your child can properly handle the kit materials.
A. National Geographic manufactures its products in China, and the pieces, tools, and materials used for its kits for kids are made in China.
A. You can contact the National Geographic support team at help@natgeotoys.com regarding any lost or missing kit pieces. National Geographic support can help replace missing items and will often send replacements for broken pieces as well.
A. Help and supervision are always recommended while using National Geographic kits. While many of these kits are safe for children without supervision, it is up to you to decide based on your child’s age and the specific kit activity.
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