Best science kits for kids: telescopes, terrariums and more

Science is as diverse and exciting as kids themselves, and there are plenty of ways to appeal to all interests and sensory needs. Some of the kits below focus on step-by-step experiments, while others encourage imaginative play and creativity.

If your child has a penchant for potions, then why not go for a chemistry kit? Or, if they've got their head in the clouds, perhaps a telescope will help them see the stars.

We've rounded up the top science kits for kids of all ages below. Be warned that some of them might get a little messy- but it's all in the name of science!

While you're here, why not take a look at the best STEM toys, as well as the best science toys?

Best science kits for kids at a glance

• Science 4 You Green Science Kit | £19.99
• Insect Lore Butterfly Garden | £20.99
• Horrible Science Chaotic Kitchen Experiments | £24.99 £23.99 (save £1 or 4%)
• My First Telescope | £17.99 £15.99 (save £2 or 11%)
• Science Museum Create A Night Sky | £15.99
• UNGLINGA 50+ Science Lab Experiments Kit for Kids | £21.99 £17.99 (save £4 or 18%)
• Nickelodeon Experimake Explosions and Eruptions Science Kit | £20 £12 (save £8 or 40%)
• Science in Wonderland | £24.99 £9.31 (save £15.68 or 63%)
• Science 4 You My First Science Kit Experiment Set | £22.99
• Clementoni Vecna's Upside Down House Terrarium | £19.99 £17.99 (save £2 or 10%)
• Science Mad 100X Microscope | £19.99
• Galt Rainbow Lab | £15.99 £14.99 (save £1 or 6%)
• Spy Labs Forensic Investigation Kit | £27.99
• Clementoni Minerals and Geodes | £14.99

Best science kits for kids

Science 4 You Green Science Kit

• Suitable for: 6 and up

It's never too early to spark an interest in ecology and conservation in your child, and this green science is the perfect way to do it.

With over 15 experiments, all made without using plastic, this kit takes children through the importance of caring for the planet, as well as air pollution, renewable energy, recycling and more.

Buy Science 4 You Green Science Kit for £19.99 at Boots

Insect Lore Butterfly Garden

• Suitable for: 4 and up

Our child testers thought that the Insect Lore Butterfly Garden was just magical and became very attached to their caterpillars, as they watched them wriggle and spin silk – and grow enormously.

Peak excitement – and a test of patience – is the chrysalis stage, which takes about 10 days, and results in wonderful butterflies.

Buy Insect Lore Butterfly Garden for £20.99 at Amazon

Horrible Science Chaotic Kitchen Experiments

• Suitable for: 8 and up

This title may inspire some fear in the heart of parents, but we're certain that your kids aged eight and above will love it.

From powering a clock using a potato to learning how to write mystery messages and creating some... interesting kitchen smells (sorry), these 14 experiments will provide afternoons of fun.

Buy Horrible Science Chaotic Kitchen Experiments for £24.99 £23.99 (save £1 or 4%) at Debenhams

My First Telescope

• Suitable for: 8 and up

Inspire a love of space from an early age with My First Telescope, suitable for kids aged 8 and up.

The telescope is specially designed for little hands, and, although it comes with a tripod, is lightweight enough to use by hand. It is also easy to use, adjust and focus.

Buy My First Telescope for £17.99 £15.99 (save £2 or 11%) at Very

Check out our roundup of the best children's books about space, as well as the best space toys and rockets.

Science Museum Create A Night Sky

• Suitable for: 3 and up

If your child doesn't fancy looking through a telescope, then why not bring the night sky to them? This Create a Night Sky star projector is made by the team at the Science Museum, and can transform any bedroom into a beautiful starry night.

Buy Science Museum Create A Night Sky for £15.99 at Hamleys

UNGLINGA 50+ Science Lab Experiments Kit for Kids

Why focus on just one science experiment when you could have them all? This kit comes with the equipment for over 50 science experiments, meaning that this is a kids science kit your child could never get bored of.

Mum Amy agrees, saying "I got this for my three year old for Christmas and he loves it. We've done so many of these and he quite often asks to do 'science experiment kit' when I ask him what he wants to do together."

Buy UNGLINGA 50+ Science Lab Experiments Kit for Kids for £21.99 £17.99 (save £4 or 18%) at Amazon

Nickelodeon Experimake Explosions and Eruptions Science Kit

• Suitable for: 8 and up

It's the classic kids science experiment- the fully functioning erupting volcano!

And it's not just volcanoes on offer in this Experimake kit. Kids can also make explosive rockets, colourful explosives, sparklers, water bombs and more. Everything in this kit is designed to encourage your child's creativity.

Buy Nickelodeon Experimake Explosions and Eruptions Science Kit for £20 £12 (save £8 or 40%) at The Entertainer

Science in Wonderland

• Suitable for: 5 and up

This kit is full of fairy-themed experiments, including making a kaleidoscope in a tree stump, making a ladybird's wings flap with solar energy, making a fairy dance, making flowers bloom and creating magic colourful butterfly wings.

It was a huge hit with our child tester Hope, 6, whose mum Sarah said, "This toy is amazing for anyone who loves science and fairies. Hope plays with the fairy for hours, watching it dance up and down the water. She finds new things in it every time she plays."

Buy Science in Wonderland for £24.99 £9.31 (save £15.68 or 63%) at Amazon

Science 4 You My First Science Kit Experiment Set

• Suitable for: 4 and up

This kit is ideal for little scientists. It contains 26 science lab experiments made up of 38 contents, which will help you do anything from making a rainbow to growing seeds.

If you want a birthday or Christmas gift for your child which will help them both learn and have fun, this is exactly where you should be looking.

Buy Science 4 You My First Science Kit Experiment Set for £22.99 at Amazon

Clementoni Vecna's Upside Down House Terrarium

• Suitable for: 8 and up

If your child is a Stranger Things fan with a penchant for plants, then this is the perfect gift for them. Our child judge Jessica said, "I think it is really cool the way it is designed, how it has the roots as the plants on the other side.

"I think the only problem was the painting was a bit fiddly, so it didn’t turn out as well as I hoped. I really liked how the house plaster cast turned out really well, it had no cracks or holes. So apart from the painting it was really good."

Buy Clementoni Vecna's Upside Down House Terrarium for £19.99 £17.99 (save £2 or 10%)

Science Mad 100X Microscope

• Suitable for: 6 and up

We all know that kids are endlessly curious, so what better way to give them a closer look at the world then with a microscope?

The Science Mad 100X Microscope comes with bright battery-powered illumination, up to 100X magnification and everything you need to prepare your own slides, which you can view up close in fascinating detail.

Buy Science Mad 100X Microscope for £19.99 at Very

Galt Rainbow Lab

• Suitable for: 3 and up

From colourful crystals to test tubes, this kit contains everything your child needs to conduct 12 different experiments.

Mum Lauryn is a big fan of the Galt Rainbow Lab, saying it has "so many experiments to do time and time again and really well-priced. My five year old daughter loves it."

Buy Galt Rainbow Lab for £15.99 £14.99 (save £1 or 6%) at Amazon

Spy Labs Forensic Investigation Kit

• Suitable for: 8 and up

Calling all secret agents! It's time for you to learn all the essential skills, like identifying unknown liquids, analysing fingerprints and using a UV light.

There are plenty of experiments that can be carried out on evidence included in this kit, which helps you solve make-believe crimes and mysteries.

Buy Spy Labs Forensic Investigation Kit for £27.99 at Hamleys

Clementoni Minerals and Geodes

• Suitable for: 8 and up

It turns out that you don't need to go underground to mine precious stones. You can find them in your very own home thanks to the Clementoni Minerals and Geodes kit, packed full of collectible rocks and gemstones.

With this kit, you'll get a fun activity and some beautiful display pieces- a double win.

Buy Clementoni Minerals and Geodes for £14.99 at Very

Take things a step further with these 20 easy science experiments.