Chemistry can be a daunting subject, but chemistry sets for kids make learning about basic chemistry concepts fun and inviting. Many children learn best when presented with hands-on experiences, and science kits lend themselves easily to this type of teaching and learning. While some kits, often designed for older kids, include all of the components for more advanced scientific learning and, there are plenty of chemistry kits for kids that focus on the fun aspects of science.
Whether you are encouraging the youngest scientists to learn basic concepts in a way that resembles play, or helping an older child to prepare for advanced concepts and lab situations, there is something to suit each need. When choosing chemistry sets for kids, consider your child’s age and experience level. A younger child may enjoy a basic kit with humorous experiments, while older children may benefit from more in-depth scientific exploration.
Fun and Educational Chemistry Sets For Kids
 | Thames & Kosmos CHEM C3000 (V 2.0) | Check price at |
 | The Magic School Bus – Chemistry Lab | Check price at |
 | SmartLab Toys Ultimate Secret Formula Lab | Check price at |
 | Be Amazing Toys Big Bag Of Science | Check price at |
 | Educational Insights Nancy B’s Science Club Stir-It-Up Chemistry Lab | Check price at |
 | Scientific Explorer Magic Science Kit for Wizards Only Lowest Price | Check price at |
1. Thames & Kosmos CHEM C3000 (V 2.0)
The Thames & Kosmos CHEM C3000 (V 2.0) is the premier choice in chemistry sets for kids. This is an advanced chemistry set, intended for children 12 and up, and is an excellent way to prepare your child for high school chemistry classes. But, any child with an interest in science and chemistry will enjoy the experiments, and younger children can perform many experiments with the help of an adult. The set includes 103 pieces like vials, test tubes, acids, bases, many tools, and even an alcohol burner. All of the pieces store easily in the secure plastic trays. Introduce more advanced concepts like chemical equations, atomic structures, and the periodic table with this comprehensive kit.
Recommended Ages: 12+
2. The Magic School Bus – Chemistry Lab
While the first kit on this list is geared towards older kids, The Magic School Bus – Chemistry Lab is designed for younger children, 5-12 years old. Little scientists will recognize the familiar Magic School Bus and Ms. Frizzle as they learn about science and chemistry. On their exciting journey, students can make sticky ice, use litmus paper, measure pH, and perform chromatography. They make bubble sculptures, wake-up fungus, create slime, form a bouncy ball. Finally, they learn about density, produce a milk rainbow, plate copper, explode a volcano, and more. Each experiment is both fun and educational. All of the items store neatly in the bus-shaped kit. The kit includes 51 colorful experiment cards and a data notebook to record observations. Reviewers love this kit and praise the sturdy laminated experiment cards and clear instructions.
Recommended Ages: 5–12
3. SmartLab Toys Ultimate Secret Formula Lab
Chemistry sets for kids should make science exploration fun. The SmartLab Toys Ultimate Secret Formula Lab does just that. Even the names of the experiments sound fun. Try out the Pop Push Challenge and Spud Bubbles. Explore chemical reactions with Visible Vapor and the Foaming Pink Volcano. Or, learn about pressure with the Gravity-Defying Water, The Amazing Breathing Marshmallow, and Super Squeeze. This unique set also includes a custom experimentation so kids can develop their own experiments. In addition to necessary supplies for completing these experiments, the kit includes a 40-page lab book and instruction manual. Many of the experiments can be performed more than once. Simply re-stock supplies with basic kitchen ingredients.
Recommended Ages: 8+
4. Be Amazing Toys Big Bag Of Science
The Be Amazing Toys Big Bag Of Science‘s number one purpose is to make science fun. Using the included tools like test tubes, geyser tube, magnifying glass, and insta-snow powder, little scientists can experiment with the world around them. In addition, the fun, witty 70+ page lab book guides children through their experiments and later experiments encourage them to venture outside for collecting and discovery. Each activity is fun, but also fully explains and explores the experiment’s scientific processes. Finally, this kit uses science to ask and answer real-world application questions like why paper diapers are absorbent and what makes us burp. Reviewers love this kit but explain that younger children may require assistance when performing the experiments.
Recommended Ages: 8–14
5. Educational Insights Nancy B’s Science Club Stir-It-Up Chemistry Lab
While some chemistry sets include more than 100 components, the Educational Insights Nancy B’s Science Club Stir-It-Up Chemistry Lab keeps learning simple. This simple kit includes necessary equipment like a beaker, test tubes, rack, graduated cylinder, lab glasses, dropper, funnel, and stirring rod. But, there aren’t a lot of liquids and powders. This unique kit uses common household items and the scientific method to complete experiments. Fun activities include extinguishing a flame with invisible gas, making bubbling “lava” in a bottle, and causing chemicals to change color. Explore basic chemistry concepts like atoms, molecules, and density. In addition, the kit includes a 22-page activity journal with experiment instructions, activities, and writing prompts.
Recommended Ages: 8–12
6. Scientific Explorer Magic Science Kit for Wizards Only
Many kids may be interested in magic, but the Scientific Explorer Magic Science Kit for Wizards Only teaches kids that science is magic. Use the included components like basic, safe chemicals, test tubes, and a ‘wand’ tube to perform fun, ‘magical’ science experiments. First, create a ‘Wizard Wand’ for spell-casting, Next, create a test-tube crystal ball to see into the future. Finally, make a frothing, color-changing potion. And, there are many more experiments! The kit includes everything for nine complete experiments and kids can use their new knowledge of chemical reactions to create their own ‘magical’ experiments and demonstrate for their friends. A fun, lighthearted way to introduce chemistry to kids.
Recommended Ages: 6–10
7. Balance Living Chemistry Fun Lab Set
The Balance Living Chemistry Fun Lab Set has everything to perform more than 40 exciting chemistry experiments. This kit uses safe materials and equipment to introduce chemical reactions, acids and bases, measurements, and more; there are no potentially dangerous chemicals and no glass equipment to break. Safety goggles included. Children use the detailed, easy-to-understand, instruction manual to complete experiments like crystal strings, invisible ink, foaming monsters, rockets, and much more. This set is designed for children ages 10 and up, and younger children may require some assistance from a parent.
Recommended Ages: 5+
What do you think of these chemistry sets for kids? We love to hear from you! Let us know in the comments section.
Feature image courtesy of Flickr, Iwan Gabovitch.