Chemistry experiments are so cool! Along with being super fun, experiment kits help children to prepare for STEM learning and the careers of the future.
Today, we’ll share the top chemistry kits for children. From curious kid to young scientist, there are fun & enriching science experiments for all age groups.
Let’s take a look at the best chemistry sets for kids!
Why Chemistry Kits?
Science is amazing, but it can also be hard to understand (or even seem boring). With fun science kits, the world of chemistry comes alive!
Along with being entertaining, these kits allow for kids to test big concepts and abstract ideas with concrete ingredients and experiments. This hands-on approach reinforces STEM learning, so that younger kids to older teenagers can retain the information better. Plus, well-designed lab kits help to encourage a lifelong love & appreciation of science!
Explore our online science courses!
How to Choose the Right Chemistry Set
When it comes to the ideal kit, there are 5 main points to take into consideration: age group, type of equipment, longevity, startup time, and parental supervision.
Age Group
If you take a look at most chemistry lab kits, they are designed for older kids. That’s because they are more likely to use these types of kits. However, there are a number of sets that are designed for younger children. Make sure to find one that is age appropriate, so an aspiring scientist (or just curious mind) can learn & grow confidently!
Type of Equipment
Some kits come with everything you need, including goggles and gloves. Other kits... well, you’ll probably need to grab some extra items. From household cleaners to harder-to-find items, you might be disappointed to find out you don’t have everything to make a set work. That’s why it’s so important to read the details and find out ahead of time!
Longevity
Novel innovations and flashy toys are fun at first, but then they lose their appeal pretty quickly. When researching a chemistry kid, you want to find one that will hold a child’s interest for longer than a day. One tip is to keep an eye out for kits that provide more than enough materials and ingredients for multiple experiments.
Startup Time
It’s not exactly fun when you open a new kit just to find out it will take a long time to set everything up. This can be a major issue, especially for kids that are still working on patience and perseverance. The best chemistry sets for children typically offer a short startup time, so that a child can keep their enthusiasm up while learning science!
Parental Supervision
A lot of these kits come with non-hazardous, non-toxic materials. However, this does not mean that parental supervision is not a requirement. More advanced kits that use baking soda and other chemicals most likely require an adult to be present. Also, some sets might require household items. In any case, be sure an adult is present when needed!
Top 20 Chemistry Kits for Kids
With the help of chemistry lab equipment—test tubes, pipettes, beakers, petri dishes, and more—chemists explore science, perform experiments, and develop new products.
Whether you’re looking for cool chemical reactions or DIY crystal growing, there are many fun experiments to explore chemistry. From preschoolers to high schoolers, here are the top 20 chemistry sets for kids (in alphabetical order)!
Ben Franklin Chemistry Lab Pad
Looking for arguably the best STEM educational toy? Look no further than the Ben Franklin Chemistry Lab Pad Science Kit! The kit includes more than a dozen safe & enriching science experiments for children ages 5 and up. One of the key features is the lab pad, which keeps things organized and makes for easy cleanup!
Candy Chemistry
Want to eat science? Candy Chemistry makes chemistry fun & delicious! Make gummies, chocolates, rock candy, and more with this culinary kit. As kids age 10+ make delicious candies, they learn about how crystals form in rock candy or the phases of matter while molding chocolates. Science is yummy with Candy Chemistry!
Chanys Fun Science Lab For Children
Helping to increase focus in kids age 8+, Chanys Fun Science Lab for Children features 8 fun-packed experiments and color-changing chemicals. This lab kit helps to boost sensory skills, science knowledge, operation ability, creativity imagination, and much more! Kid-friendly and safe, this kit offers hours and hours of fun science learning!
Click-A-Brick Creative Chemistry: Crystals & Slime
Designed for kids ages 6+, the [Click-A-Brick Creative Chemistry: Crystals & Slime for Kids] makes real science into a hands-on experience for aspiring scientists! The chemistry lab includes over 9 science experiments tailored for younger kids. If you want to boost STEM education at a young age, you should definitely check this kit out!
Crayola Color Chemistry Arctic Lab
As a leading STEAM toy, the Crayola Color Chemistry Arctic Lab helps kids unlock the secrets of colors. As an Arctic edition, the lab explores the “cooler” colors of the spectrum. The kit is recommended for ages 7 and up, and it includes more than 50 experiments. Create crystal effects, magic water beads, snow globes, and more!
Discovery Extreme Chemistry Science Kit
Have aspirations of becoming a mad scientist? If you’re 8 years old or older, the Discovery Extreme Chemistry Science Kit is the right fit! From gasses to polymers to color science, the set offers over 30 science experiments to explore chemistry and boost STEM learning. If you want a fun & engaging time with “extreme” chemistry, grab this kit!
Discovery MindBlown Pack-N-Go Chemistry Set
Yes, we have another Discovery kit on this list! If you truly want your mind blown, the Discovery MindBlown Pack-N-Go Chemistry Set is right up your alley! Want to test air pressure? Check. How about liquid density? Check. Acids and bases? Check. The kit includes a cool collection of beakers, tubes, and more!
Geosafari Rockin’ Reactions Chemistry Set
Want to learn about scientific observation (as well as how to document it)? The Geosafari Rockin’ Reactions Chemistry Set is perfect for STEM learning! Ideal for ages 8-12, young scientists get to perform real experiments while fostering a strong understanding of the scientific method. Includes a 22-page activity guide.
Kids First Chemistry Set Science Kit
Designed for children ages 8 and up, the Thames & Kosmos Kids First Chemistry Set is one of the best introductory chemistry kits on the market! Safe & simple, younger kids can confidently perform scientific experiments with this fun-filled science set. You can purchase this kit on Amazon and other sites.
Learn & Climb Science Kit (Slime Edition)
Slime, anyone? If you love the oozy material or want to try it out, the Learn & Climb Slime Making Lab Kit is the way to go! Designed for children ages 5-10, the kit encourages adults and kids to explore the world of science through slime. Non-toxic and kid-friendly, the slime lab boosts self-esteem, creativity, and a love for science!
National Geographic Stunning Chemistry Set
From building volcanoes to launching rockets, the National Geographic Stunning Chemistry Set is both inspiring & engaging! Offering a collection of 45 easy science experiments, kids can entertain themselves and friends for hours. This is a high-quality educational toy, complete with easy-to-understand instructions.
Ooze Labs Chemistry Station
Courtesy of Thames & Kosmos, the Ooze Labs Chemistry Station is a highly affordable & playful entry into the world of chemistry (for ages 6+)! This station comes with 20 experiments that range from bubbly to slimy to colorful. It includes beakers, measuring cup, petri dish, non-hazardous materials, and much more!
Playz A+ Kids Chemistry Science Lab Kit
The Playz A+ Kids Chemistry Science Lab Kit is a great introduction to scientific discovery! Composed of 32 experiments and 16 tools and materials, the set encourages STEM education in a way that’s super kid-friendly. It also comes with a 32-page guide for even more immersive science fun!
Playz Extreme Kids Chemistry Set
Want to make a fire-resistant balloon? How about an underwater volcano? All these fun experiments and more are at your fingertips with the Playz Extreme Kids Chemistry Set! With over 50 experiments and 50+ tools & ingredients, this set offers many junior science experiments perfect for age 8 and up.
Scientific Explorer My First Chemistry Kit
As the name implies, the Scientific Explorer My First Chemistry Kit is a great first pick for young kids! Chemistry is easy to understand with this kit, whether you want to explore acids and bases or test solutions. You can also explore the invisible world with the included microscope. This is one of those kits that make children feel like real chemists!
Thames & Kosmos Chem C1000
As one of the most popular kits (made by one of the most popular companies that make STEM kits), the Thames & Kosmos Chem C1000 is an affordable entry point into the world of chemistry! It offers a complete chemistry with high-quality materials and ample instructions. As with most kits, it’s advised that kids use it under adult supervision.
Thames & Kosmos Ooze Labs
Love slime? Want to learn more about it? If you’d like to make your own slime, look no further than the Thames & Kosmos Ooze Labs! There are multiple ooze labs to choose from, including Thermocolor Slime, Glitter Slime, and Glow-in-the-Dark Slime. Fun & simple, each ooze lab is safe, interesting, and exciting to use!
The Magic School Bus Chemistry Lab
Ever read The Magic School Bus? If you liked the book, you’ll love The Magic School Bus Chemistry Lab! Ideal for ages 5 and up, the STEM kit is a perfect intro to the wonder of chemistry. Ms. Frizzle helps guide young scientists on a learning journey: slime, volcanic activity, bases & acids, bubbles, and much more!
UNGLINGA DIY Science Kit for Kids
Safe and lots of fun, the UNGLINGA Science Kit for Kids is a winning combination of accessible science and entertaining experiments! It offers over 30 experiments, many of which can be performed with household items. From measuring cups to beakers to chemical reactions, this science kit makes chemistry easy to learn and enjoy!
Wild! Science Test Tube Chemistry Lab
If you or someone you know is a curious kid age 8+, the Wild! Science Test Tube Chemistry Lab is a great introduction to the world of chemistry! This lab set allows children to perform more than 50 experiments, all with the help of test tubes, chemicals, full-color instructions, and more. Want to experience real-world chemistry? Here’s your opportunity!
Yellow Scope Foundation Chemistry Kit
Designed for kids ages 8-12, the Yellow Scope Foundation Chemistry Kit is an award-winning kit (including a Parents' Choice Gold Award)! Kids feel like real chemists with this set (because it allows them to do real experiments). Whether you want to explore chemical reactions or molecules, the kit offers many hours of fun scientific experiments!
Top Chemistry Sets for Older Kids
Getting interested in chemistry is a lot easier & fun with the right kits. From middle school to high school (and beyond), these following chemistry kits for teens are the best in 2022.
Creative Cosmetics Lab Science Kit
Through the creation of cosmetics, soaps, and salt scrubs, older kids can learn how science really exists outside of the classroom! Creative Cosmetics Lab Science Kit makes chemistry accessible and concrete through the exploration of skin care, body care, and more. Includes 16 experiments and a 32-page illustrated manual.
Happy Atoms 2D: Interactive Chemistry Puzzles
Made by Thames & Kosmos, the Happy Atoms 2D: Interactive Chemistry Puzzles is an amazing teaching tool for teens age 16 and up. This kit allows you to build more than 17,000 molecules. This is possible with the help of 16 elements that can be combined in numerous ways. Along with the physical puzzles, you can also use the Happy Atoms app!
Happy Atoms Complete Set
Both a physical and digital system, the Happy Atoms Complete Set revolutionizes how older kids learn about atoms! Designed for ages 10-17, the set offers 50 atom models composed of 16 elements. It also harnesses the power of the Happy Atoms app. If you’re looking for an alternative to Happy Atoms 2D for pre-teens and younger teens, this is it!
KiwiCo Chemistry Pack
What’s better than one chemistry kit? Three chemistry kits! That’s what you get with the KiwiCo Chemistry Pack, one of (if that the) best chemistry set for teens. Its charm lies in the fact that it feels and looks like a high school chemistry lab, inspiring young adults to explore via three unique labs: Electrochemistry, Glow, and Vortex.
KiwiCo Fire Lab
Another knock out of the park by its company, the KiwiCo Fire Lab is a great intro to all things fire for ages 14 and older. Explore the colorful and mesmerizing world of combustion via 7 fire experiments. Teens not only learn about combustion but also oxidation and capillary action with this high school level kit!
Thames & Kosmos Chem C2000
As a step up from the Chem C1000 lab set, the Thames & Kosmos Chem C2000 is a more advanced chemistry lab set. Chemical equations and atomic structure are main focus points, and the kit offers double the amount of materials compared to the C1000 version. It’s good to point out that the Chem C1000 kit is a great starter for older kids (10 to 16-year-olds).
Thames & Kosmos Chem C3000
Considered one of the best chemistry kits for young adults (and adults in general), the Thames & Kosmos Chem C3000 offers more than 330 experiments! It also comes with a 192-page, full-color manual. As with the other two kits (C1000 and C2000), the C3000 offers an excellent hands-on approach to learning about chemistry!
Discover our private 1:1 science courses!
Final Notes: Science Kits & Chemistry Labs
Science projects make chemistry fun & easy to learn!
From educational toys to deluxe science labs, chemistry experiments allow kids to get hands-on and interactive with science. It’s one of the best ways to learn! It also helps to build interest in other science subjects.
Of course, we highly recommend adult supervision. Along with step-by-step instructions and personalized tutoring, a student can go a long way in exploring the world of chemistry!
Help Kids Discover & Grow
We hope you've enjoyed our guide on the best chemistry sets for kids!
Science kits are both educational & entertaining. Along with preparing young kids for STEM learning, chemistry sets offer kid-friendly experiences. There's so much to love about science experiments!
Check out our STEM guides, or contact our Advisor Team by calling (650) 263-4306 or emailing advisors@learnwithjuni.com to learn which courses are best for your student’s learning journey. You can also read more about how to encourage early STEM education.
