18 Best Circuit Boards For Kids
We tested the top-rated kids circuit boards and gathered the best products based on reviews.
Every parent and teacher knows that it’s important for kids to learn how electronic gadgets and tech toys work. That’s why circuit boards for kids are absolutely perfect. You should try to get your children interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) at a young age so they can develop their education. STEM circuit kits are fun and interesting toys that can teach kids a lot of useful skills. Not only will kids learn technology, but they can also learn how to complete a project. This guide will provide parents with a comprehensive overview of circuit board toys.
What Are Circuit Boards?
A circuit board, also known as a printed circuit board (PCB), refers to a flat surface made of fiberglass, plastic, or other insulated material. Circuit boards are used to mechanically support and electrically connect various electronic components using pathways called “traces.” These components may include resistors, capacitors, switches, transistors, and integrated circuits.
What are Circuit Boards for Kids?
Circuit boards are the building blocks of most electronic devices. For kids, specially designed circuit board toys allow them to safely construct, power, and manipulate simple circuits just like real engineers and programmers. By snapping components like lights, buttons, buzzers, switches, and sensors onto a flat board grid, children can bring their electronic creations to life and observe cause-and-effect relationships, teaching core STEM concepts through hands-on learning.
5 of My Notes on Choosing Kids Circuit Boards
- They are generally created for kids who are 8+.
- They are one of the best educational STEM toys for kids.
- Find a kid’s circuit board kit with a lot of different projects.
- Start with a simple circuit board before moving to the advanced boards.
- They are great for a group of kids to learn how to work together on a project.
18 Top-Rated Circuit Kits for Kids
These kits are perfect for budding engineers and scientists who want to learn about electricity, circuits, and other STEM topics through hands-on activities.
1. Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Exploration Kit, Over 100 Projects
This award-winning Snap Circuits kit provides hands-on fun while teaching kids ages 8+ about electronics and circuitry. Build over 100 projects like alarms, music makers and more using the color-coded snap-together components – no soldering required! The easy-to-follow manual includes step-by-step instructions for creating cool gizmos like a flying saucer, flashlight, and musical doorbell. All 28 electrical parts snap onto the included plastic grid base with no tools needed.
Perfect for kids 8+
List Price: $44.99 – Best Price Below
2. Snap Circuits LIGHT Electronics Exploration Kit
This award-winning Snap Circuits kit allows kids ages 8+ to build over 175 illuminated electronic projects! Create colorful light shows, music-synced strobes, fiber optic displays and more. Easy connect numbered parts snap together on the included plastic grid – no soldering or tools needed. Clear manual provides step-by-step instructions for building cool creations like a blinking LED necklace, rotating projection fan and adjustable strobe light. Develops STEM skills and core circuitry concepts through hands-on learning.
List Price: $99.99 – Best Price Below
3. Snap Circuits Classic SC-300 Electronics Exploration Kit
This award-winning Snap Circuits kit allows kids ages 8+ to build over 300 electronic projects! Construct AM radios, burglar alarms, doorbells and more using the 60+ included color-coded parts which snap together on a plastic grid – no soldering required. An expansive full color manual provides step-by-step instructions for creating cool inventions like a flying saucer and electronic game. Develops vital STEM skills and an understanding of circuitry through interactive, hands-on learning. Combine with other Snap Circuits sets as your child’s skills progress for even more building possibilities.
List Price: $79.99 – Best Price Below
4. Snap Circuits Pro SC-500 Electronics Exploration Kit
This award-winning Snap Circuits kit allows kids ages 8+ to build over 500 electronic projects! Construct radios, voice recorders, LED displays and more using 75+ included parts which simply snap together on a plastic grid – no soldering required. Massive full color manual provides step-by-step guidance for building fun inventions. Develops vital STEM skills and an understanding of circuitry through hands-on, interactive learning.
List Price: $124.99 – Best Price Below
5. Snap Circuits Arcade Electronics Exploration Kit
This Snap Circuits kit allows kids ages 8+ to build over 20 arcade-style games with lights and sounds, plus over 200 unique projects! Create spinning LED messages, lie detectors, digital songs and more using 36 included parts which snap together on a plastic grid – no soldering required. Clear, colorful manual provides step-by-step guidance for hands-on circuitry fun. Develops vital STEM skills and sparks imagination through inventive play.
List Price: $79.99 – Best Price Below
6. Snap Circuits 203 Electronics Exploration Kit
This Snap Circuits kit provides a fun introduction to electronics and circuitry for kids ages 8+. Build over 200 exciting projects like burglar alarms, doorbells and electronic games using 40+ included color-coded parts which snap together on a plastic grid – no soldering required! Clear, illustrated manual provides step-by-step guidance. Develops vital STEM skills and sparks creativity through hands-on play.
List Price: $49.99 – Best Price Below
7. Playz Electrical Circuit Board Engineering Kit for Kids
Let your child explore electronics and engineering with this 25+ experiment circuit board kit. Kids ages 8+ can build over 25 exciting projects including AM/FM radios, lights, motors and more! Connect wires and components to see STEM and physics concepts come to life. 64-page manual provides step-by-step instructions for building cool creations. Develops vital technical skills as kids assemble their own circuits using real electrical components.
List Price: $34.99 – Best Price Below
8. Playz Advanced Electronic Circuit Board Engineering Toy for Kids
Let your child explore advanced electronics and engineering with this 328+ experiment circuit board kit. Kids ages 8+ can build over 328 exciting projects including radios, motors, lights and more! Connect components using wires to see STEM and physics concepts come to life. 64-page guide provides step-by-step instructions for building cool inventions. Develops vital technical skills as kids assemble their own circuits using real electrical parts.
List Price: $99.99 – Best Price Below
9. Discovery #MINDBLOWN Particle Analyzer Circuitry Set
Let your child explore electricity and engineering with this 9-piece circuitry set. Build a working particle analyzer and LED alarm beacon while learning about circuits. Experiments teach the science behind motion, voltage and circuitry. Comes with all parts needed to construct the projects. Just add 2 AA batteries (not included). Step-by-step activity guide makes STEM learning hands-on and fun. For ages 8 and up. Develops vital technical skills as kids assemble their own circuits using real electrical components.
List Price: $23.99 – Best Price Below
10. SmartLab Toys Tiny Circuits with 20 Fun Activites
Build 20 fun projects including musical instruments, games with lights and sounds, and circuits that glow. Learn core concepts like parallel circuits, electricity flow and microprocessor function through hands-on play. Portable case includes a speaker, LEDs, battery pack, buttons, wires and an instructional manual. Develops vital STEM skills like critical thinking and problem solving.
Ages 8-14
List Price: $34.99 – Best Price Below
11. Squishy Circuits Kit Electric Circuit for Kids
Mold conductive and insulating doughs to create light-up shapes, buzzing robots and more. The all-inclusive set has dough, LED lights, a battery pack and guide for building over 35 projects. Or invent unique designs that light up and make noises. An engaging way to teach circuitry basics, electrical engineering concepts and problem solving skills.
Ages 8-12
List Price: $39.99 – Best Price Below
12. Science Can Circuit Board for Kids with 50 Experiments
Build over 50 projects using large, colorful components that snap together easily. Clear instructions provide step-by-step guidance for creating cool gadgets like doorbells, musical pianos, light displays and more. Progresses from basic builds to more complex circuits. Teaches core concepts of electricity through hands-on learning.
Ages 8+
List Price: $44.99 – Best Price Below
13. Electric Circuit Kit for Kids with 45+ Stem Projects
This STEM circuit kit combines hands-on building blocks with electronic components to create over 45 functioning projects. Build robots, vehicles, buildings and more, then light them up with included LEDs, motors and sensors. Easy-connect numbered pieces snap together on the included baseplate grid. Compatible with major brands like Lego. Illustrated guidebook teaches circuits, current flow and electronic diagrams.
Ages 8-12
List Price: $34.99 – Best Price Below
14. MicroKits Theremin Electronics Kit
Build your own musical invention without soldering or tools using this beginner-friendly electronics kit. Follow the colorful step-by-step guide to assemble a working Theremin that creates sounds and music by waving your hands. Learn about capacitance, electric fields and real electronic components like resistors and transistors.
Ages 10+
List Price: $44.99 – Best Price Below
15. E-Blox Build Your Own Burp & Fart Machine
Get ready for laughs with this electronic building block kit that lets kids create a hilarious burping and farting machine. Includes 10 gross and funny sound effects they can integrate into brick structures. Teaches STEM fundamentals of circuits, electronics and innovation. Compatible with major brands. Kids ages 5+ will have a blast building creations that make silly noises for pranks and entertainment.
Ages 5+
List Price: $24.99 – Best Price Below
16. 6 Set STEM Kits DC Motor Electronic Robotic
Let kids ages 8-12 explore STEM concepts hands-on with this 6-in-1 robotics set. Build a mini electric plotter, reptile robot, ball launcher, circuit model, mini boat and balance car. Easy-connect modules snap together and simple instructions guide young inventors. Develops vital Science, Technology, Engineering and Math skills like critical thinking, collaboration and imagination.
Ages 8-12
List Price: $29.99 – Best Price Below
17. Robobloq STEM Science Kit
Turn everyday objects into touchpads and keyboards with this creative circuit invention kit. Connect alligator clips to transform bananas into piano keys, paper into game controllers and more – no programming required! Works via USB with Windows, Mac, Linux and smart devices. Teaches STEM concepts like circuits and conductivity through fun, hands-on learning. Easy to use plug-and-play app eliminates coding. An unlimited sandbox for kids 8+ and inventors of all ages
Ages 8+
List Price: $44.99 – Best Price Below
18. Electric Circuit Motor Kit
This STEM engineering kit allows kids to build over 175 educational circuits and projects. Contains switches, lights, motors, battery packs and component accessories. Build fun inventions while learning about electronics, currents and circuits. Easy-to-follow guide encourages scientific exploration and problem solving. Recommended for children ages 8 and up with adult supervision. Teaches core STEM and physics concepts through hands-on play.
Ages 8+
List Price: $14.99 – Best Price Below
Full Product Gallery of Circuit Board Kits
6 Reasons Circuit Boards are Good For Kids
Circuit boards have emerged as an engaging new category of STEM toys. They allow kids to explore principles of electricity, engineering, and technology through hands-on play. Not only will they have a great time building projects, but they will also gain valuable skills for their future careers in the STEM industry.
There are many developmental benefits circuit board toys provide including:
1. Teaches Cause and Effect
As kids connect circuit components in different sequences and configurations, they see firsthand how manipulation of parts elicits direct reactions like lighting up bulbs, powering motors, and activating sounds. This helps young minds grasp core engineering and coding concepts involving cause and effect, critical thinking, and problem solving.
2. Stimulates Interest in STEM Subjects
Hands-on circuit board kits make electronics and programming fun and accessible for kids as young as preschool age. This positions circuit toys as an ideal way to get children engaged in STEM subjects and may spark lifelong interests in engineering, robotics, design, and computer science career paths.
3. Enhances Fine Motor Skills
Assembling small circuit components requires focus and dexterous finger movements. Mastering insertion and arrangement of parts promotes fine motor development and hand-eye coordination.
4. Encourages Creativity and Imagination
Open-ended circuit board grids allow kids to freely experiment with innovating their own unique circuit designs. This stimulates creative thinking, problem solving, and mental flexibility.
5. Teaches Early Coding Skills
Following step-by-step build guides teaches youth to break down larger goals into discrete, logical steps. This process mirrors skills used in computer programming.
6. Fosters a Sense of Accomplishment
Successfully assembling a functioning circuit boosts kids’ confidence and gives a sense of empowerment. Kids feel proud to see their completed interactive creations come to life.
Overall, circuit board toys provide the ideal bridge between traditional play and our increasingly technology-driven world. Kids have fun while gaining indispensable STEM knowledge.
Why You Need STEM Circuit Kits for Kids
Using STEM circuit kits for kids provides a multitude of benefits for young learners. Not only do children become familiar with how electrical connections work, but they also get to experiment with various DIY projects covering a range of subjects.
Circuit toys require kids to think critically and use problem-solving skills to figure out how to make the circuits work. They may need to troubleshoot and make adjustments to get the desired result, which can help develop their problem-solving skills. Additionally, many circuit toys require kids to manipulate small parts and pieces, which can help develop their fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination.
What Ages Are Circuit Boards Good For?
Most of the circuit boards for kids are geared towards ages 8+. They can be used at an earlier age with supervision. Snap Circuits makes some of the best products and their products are generally for 8 and up. However, there are a variety of kids circuit board toys are available for a wide range of ages from toddlers through high schoolers. Here are some general age recommendations:
- Ages 3-5: Simple circuit kits teach pre-schoolers early electricity concepts using chunky parts even small hands can manipulate.
- Ages 6-8: More advanced circuit boards allow grade-schoolers to build elaborate creations like light-up greeting cards, low-voltage vehicles, and programmable robots.
- Ages 9-12: Tweens can explore complex circuits using higher-functioning components like sensors, motors, and coding modules, often creating impressive robots.
- Ages 13+: Teen kits feature intricate designs leading to electronic devices, mini arcades, lie detectors, and more to prepare high schoolers for future engineering pursuits.
Most circuit board toy manufacturers provide age grading on packaging as a guideline. However, free play and exploration are encouraged, allowing kids to organically interact with any kit to match their individual skill levels and interests.
FAQs for Kids Circuit Board Kits
Are circuit boards safe for kids to use?
Yes, circuit boards designed for kids prioritize safety. However, adult supervision and adherence to safety guidelines are essential to ensure a safe learning experience.
How can circuit boards benefit a child’s education?
Circuit boards enhance educational development by promoting problem-solving, critical thinking, and hands-on learning. They also introduce important concepts in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM).
Do kids need prior knowledge of electronics to use circuit boards?
No prior knowledge is required. Circuit boards for kids are designed to be beginner-friendly, introducing concepts step-by-step and providing clear instructions for each project.
Can girls enjoy and benefit from working with circuit boards, or is it more suitable for boys?
Circuit boards are suitable for all children, regardless of gender. Electronics and circuitry are gender-neutral fields, and girls can excel and enjoy the learning experience just as much as boys. Encouraging diversity and inclusivity in STEM education is essential for fostering creativity and innovation.
Are there any real-world applications for the skills kids learn from working with circuit boards?
Absolutely! The skills kids acquire while working with circuit boards have numerous real-world applications. From understanding household electronics to basic troubleshooting, these skills can be applied in daily life. Moreover, they lay a foundation for potential future careers in engineering, electronics, or technology-related fields.
How can parents or teachers support kids in learning with circuit boards?
Parents and teachers play a crucial role in supporting kids’ learning with circuit boards. They can provide encouragement, participate in circuit-building activities, and discuss the applications of circuits in everyday life. Additionally, they can explore educational resources together and help kids understand complex concepts through practical examples.
Conclusion
As kids grow up in an increasingly high-tech world, helping them establish early proficiency in core STEM concepts through hands-on engineering toys becomes crucial for future success. Circuit board kits provide an accessible, screen-free way to make foundational connections between electricity, design, and programming. Kids of all ages reap cognitive, developmental, and creative benefits from manipulating these engaging electronic components while having fun.
