Wirecutter is a modern-day Consumer Reports. They test and recommend an incredibly wide range of products including electronics, home and garden products, office products, and more.
Recently, they published an article on the best electronic kits for kids and beginners. Their three top recommendations are:
- SmartLab Toys Smart Circuits Games & Gadgets Electronics Lab. $30. Wirecutter says, “Our kid testers loved using Smart Circuits to make noises and conduct quick experiments. It offers the best combination of interesting projects and thorough instructions at a low price.” I’ve never seen this kit, but it does look pretty cool. It has a lot of five-star reviews on Amazon. Here’s a typical review:
- Elenco Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100. $21. Wirecutter sasy, “The Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 kit is durable, easy to use, and compatible with Elenco’s extensive Snap Circuits line. But the instructions aren’t as easy to follow.” I’ve purchased a Snap Circuit kit for my nephew and have one myself that I sometimes use for electronics demos. They’re pretty easy to use. The components really do just snap together. It costs less than the Smart Circuits kit and actually has a little bit better rating than the Smart Circuits kit (4.8/5 vs. 4.5/5).
- LittleBits Rule Your Room Kit. $53. Wirecutter says, “LittleBits allows you to combine an electronics kit with everyday materials like paper and boxes to make things that feel more like inventions than experiments. It’s the only kit we tested that has a mobile app.” I have no experience at all with Little Bits, but I do like the idea of being able to use the components in the kit with everyday materials.
There’s a lot more info in the Wirecutter article, so I’d encourage you to read the article before making a purchase.
Having said that, how many of you had electronics kits as a kid? What kind did you have? What kind of cool things did you make with it?