If you have a little paleontologist, a star-gazer or a budding chemist, one of these science-inspired toys may be right for your child. Here's a look at some of the best Amazon Cyber Monday deals.
Meccano-Erector - Micronoid Code Zapp Programmable Robot Building Kit: Kids can build their own robot (named Zapp) with this kit. Once it's built, they can hook it up to a computer and away you go — your child can program their bot to be a personal DJ, change Zapp into robot fighting mode, or see where Zapp will be in the future with magic 8-ball mode. The robot, which should take about an hour to build, is recommended for ages 8 and up. For Cyber Monday, Amazon is selling the Zapp-building kit for $25.20, or 37 percent off the normal list price (and the lowest price Amazon has sold the the kit for).
Thames & Kosmos Geckobot Wall Climbing Robot: This may be one of the cutest climbing robots. Recommended for ages 8 and up, the Geckobot model can climb up smooth, vertical surfaces like windows and mirrors. The kit comes with a manual and instruction video to help kids put the bot together. Along the way, they will learn about physics — some of the basics of air pressure, suction and surface texture. For Cyber Monday, Amazon is selling the kit for $27.99, or 44 percent off the normal list price.
Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Discovery Kit: Snap circuits are a great way to teach kids ages 7 and up about how electricity works without too much complexity. No tools are required, just little fingers to snap in the circuits to the plastic board. Kids can build a photo sensor, a flashing light and an adjustable-volume siren. Plus, they can go rogue and figure out their own configurations by snapping together parts in various orders. Right now, for Cyber Monday, Amazon is selling the kit for $19.99, or 43 percent off the normal list price.
K'NEX Thrill Rides – Web Weaver Roller Coaster Building Set: For ages 9 and up, this building set comes with 439 pieces, including glow-in-the-dark coaster tracks. Once the web-weaving track is put together, your child can set an air-powered car on and let it rip, speeding through horizontal and vertical twists and turns. Amazon is now selling the set for one of its lowest prices $35.69, or 55 percent off the normal list price.
Thames & Kosmos Remote-Control Machines: Space Explorers Science Kit: Do you have a budding astronaut or astronomer? This might be the perfect gift. With this 237-piece engineering kit, kids can build a remote-controlled model of a robotic rover like the ones that explore Mars. The manual also includes instructions to help you build nine other space-themed models. According to Amazon, kids will "learn about the history of Mars exploration, robotics in satellites, deep-space exploration and the robots in popular space-related science fiction." Right now, Amazon is selling the kit for $69.35 for Cyber Monday, which is 31 percent off the normal list price.
Anki Overdrive: Fast & Furious Edition: Recommended for ages 8 and up, this racing system lets kids (and adults alike) use a mobile device to battle the Toretto crew and race high-tech robotic Supercars; you can build up to eight battlefields with magnetic track pieces. Our sister site Tom's Guide reviewed this product, giving it an 8 out of 10 rating, saying that the system "offers a fantastic racing experience for everyone and an extra treat for anyone who likes the films." Right now, Amazon is selling Anki Overdrive for $110.49, or 35 percent off the normal list price.
Scientific Explorer Disgusting Anatomy Brain: Recommended for kids 9 and older, this brainy kit includes a brain mold, an eyeball mold, gelatin, cornstarch, three food coloring bottles, a paintbrush, mixing stick and instructions. Turn your kitchen into a Frankenstein laboratory while creating a slimy and squishy brain that will not only freak out your friends but teach you a bit about anatomy. Right now, the kit is selling on Amazon for $14.09, or 30 percent off the normal list price.
Melissa & Doug Wooden Stamp Set: Dinosaurs: Kids as young as 4 years old can create dinosaur-populated landscapes with this stamp set, which includes a two-color stamp pad and eight stamps featuring six dinosaurs — Tyrannosaurus, Stegosaurus, Triceratops, Ankylosaurus, Apatosaurus and Velociraptor — and one pterosaur (which lived alongside dinosaurs), as well as a volcano stamp to make the prehistoric scene complete. The stamp set is available for the special Cyber Monday price of $6.99, or 30 percent off the normal price.
Meccano-Erector M.A.X Robotic Interactive Toy with Artificial Intelligence: Recommended for kids ages 10 and up, M.A.X is a robotic toy with built-in infrared sensors to sense obstacles and navigate various surfaces. Once assembled, M.A.X is a friendly robot companion that engages kids in conversations, learns from every interaction and remembers important dates. Amazon is selling the robotic toy for $84.99, or 43 percent off the normal list price.
Star Wars Droid Inventor Kit: Kids can create and control their own droids using a "droid inventor" app on iPhones and Androids. The app helps them teach their droid new skills such as head spins and then send it on one of 16 special Star Wars missions. "Each electronic block has a different function (motor, sensor, speaker, etc.), enabling kids to rebuild their Droid in new ways, transforming their original R2 Unit into any Droid they can dream up," according to littleBits, a New York City-based startup. Right now, Amazon is selling the kit for one of its lowest prices at $79, which is 21 percent off its normal list price.
Scientific Explorer Magic Science for Wizards Only Kit: Recommended for kids ages 6 and up, this science kit is magical: Kids can pretend like their wizards while learning about science. For instance, to cast a spell, any wizard needs a wand and this one requires a fun chemical reaction. There are supplies and instructions for nine experiments, such as making ordinary powders mystically foam into a Fizzy Frenzy, using Hocus Pocus Powder to make those powders change color, creating a test tube crystal ball and more. Right now, the kit is at the lowest price Amazon has ever offered, selling for $12.29, or 49 percent off the normal listing price.
Scientific Explorer My First Mind Blowing Science Kit: This 20-piece kit "allows your young scientist to explore and learn the basics of science from chemical reactions to the use of science tools," according to the manufacturer, Scientific Explorer. The kit is built on principles of STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) and includes open-ended toys to construct and explore. The "mind-blowing" experiments include creating a sunset in a test tube and making a color-changing volcano. The kit is recommended for kids 6 and older, with adult supervision. For Cyber Monday, Amazon is selling the kit $12.03, or 50 percent off the normal listing price.
K'NEX Education - Intro to Simple Machines: Levers and Pulleys Set – 178 Pieces – For Grades 3-5 – Construction Education Toy: Learn the basics of engineering with this K'nex introduction to simple machines. The toy includes basic levers and pulleys, along with easy-to-use instructions to help young builders. The K'nex system is currently $33.94, or 15 percent off the normal list price.
Thames & Kosmos Optical Science: Elementary school kids can learn about the bending of light and the perception of color, and they can view some amazing optical illusions with this optical science kit. The kit includes 3D glasses, lenses, color wheels and a camera obscura. This set is geared toward children ages 8 and older, and is currently $33.11, or 5 percent off its list price.
Celestron 21035 70mm Travel Scope: Star-gazers can now take the love of the night sky on the go. This travel telescope is perfect for budding astronomers and fits in a backpack or travel case. The telescope has a 20X magnification, which can reveal details of the moon or planets, or provide a close-up view of wildlife. The telescope is currently $59.99, 33 percent off its regular price of $89.95.
Brainwright GeoBrix, Solve Build Create Puzzle: This simple set of shapes provides more than a dozen spatial challenges. The combinations of shapes can be used to create 20 different objects, including the hardest challenge, a 3D cube. The GeoBrix puzzle set is best for kids ages 8 and up, and is currently $17.99, or 10 percent off its list price.
Thames & Kosmos Wind Power (V 3.0) Science Kit: Learn the basics of wind power with this special kit. The kit comes with instructions and the tools to make your own wind turbine with adjustable blades. Kids can learn the how to optimize power by adjusting the wind turbine blades. The wind turbine set is currently $38.49, 30 percent off the regular price of $54.99.
Originally published on Live Science.
