Buying science kits for 4 year olds can be a challenge.
It’s not always easy to find an age-appropriate science toy. You’d ideally want something that’s not too difficult it’s frustrating. Nor too easy that it’s boring.
The good thing?
Children this age are no longer putting everything in their mouths. So your choice of science kits significantly increases.
But before I show you about the best science kits for 4 year olds, here are some tips on what types of toys to get when you’re choosing one.
- There are science experiments kits with materials that may not be safe for a 4-year-old to tinker with. Always look at the guide and instructions that come with the kit.
- This is the time to develop curiosity in science and discovery. As much as we want them to learn advanced science concepts, many 4-year-olds are more open to learning when they’re also having fun with you.
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The Best Science Kits for 4 Year Olds
Contents
I’ve done some research to find the best science kits for 4 year olds. I’ve picked a wide variety of science toys so you can pick one that best fits your child’s interest.
1. Blippi My First Science Experiment
This STEAM activity kit teaches 4 year olds about primary colors through fun activities. That’s basic Chemistry at work.
Look at your child’s face as they watch how colors change when they mix different colors.
This activity is then taken up a notch when they drop a fizzy tablet in water and the color of the water changes.
Each box includes clear explanation of the science behind the experiments. So you can be sure that you don’t have to go googling all the science concepts when you do this.
- Strengthen hand-eye coordination
- Inspire creativity
- Develop fine motor skills
2. My First Science Kit
The Doctor Jupiter My First Science Experiment Kit is perfect for 4-year-olds because it turns complex science into playtime fun.
Short, snappy experiments grab their attention, while easy-to-follow instructions mean they can start learning and solving problems straight away.
It’s hands-on, which is great for their developing motor skills, and it’s safe, which means peace of mind for you.
3. Gemstone Excavation Kit
If your 4 year old loves rocks or dreams of becoming a paleontologist this gemstone excavation kit is the perfect gift. It IS a one-time activity. But it’s so fun your child will have a lot of fun “digging” for gemstones, crystals and rocks.
When my boy was 4 years old, I remember how he loved these types of excavation kits. We would leave him to dig by himself (which he preferred), and it would occupy him for a good few hours.
4. Life Cycle Science Kit for 4 Year Olds
The Life Cycle Kit Toy is the perfect educational tool for your inquisitive 4-year-old.
This Montessori-inspired set brings the animal world to life through vibrant, realistic figurines that represent the fascinating transformations of frogs, ladybugs, and butterflies.
Each figure is crafted for little hands to easily grasp and match with corresponding life cycle stages, promoting hands-on learning.
Ideal for sparking early interest in biology, this Life Cycle Kit Toy is a must-have for your young explorer’s journey of discovery.
The toys help children
- Practice fine motor skills
- Build descriptive language skills
If you love Montessori toys, you’ll love this kit. These toys are made for supporting the developmental skills of a preschooler and kindergarten kid.
5. Toy Science Kit with Lab Coat
What I love about this science kit for 4 year olds is that it comes with some Science materials & accessories that you can reuse for more activities in the future.
The kit includes:
- a strong quality lab coat
- beaker
- tweezers
- a real working magnifying glass
- droppers
- test tubes
- and many more
As you can see, it’s a science kit that equips your child with everything they need for their first science kit. And since the lab coat is made for 4-8 years old, they will have it to use for many years to come.
The kit also comes with a booklet full of fun hands-on science activities that your 4 year old can easily follow.
6. Backyard Science Kit
Take your 4 year old outside with this backyard science kit. This kit encourages curiosity as kids go outside and learn all about the wonderful natural world.
The science box is full of fun projects that teach kids how to be ecologically responsible through craft activities like:
- decorating pressed leaf clay pendants
- making nature sun prints with sun print paper
- experimenting with a paper-making kit, and designing a paper maché globe
Read the reviews and see that preschooler parents love how easy the activities are to do for a 4 year old. And that very little adult supervision is necessary.
Backyard Science Box
from: Green Kid Crafts
7. Surprising Science Kit
There’s much to learn for your 4 year old with this surprising science kit. Whether you live in a small apartment or a rural area, this garden science box can help kids learn more about gardening and the world around them.
This comprehensive kit turns your home into a fascinating laboratory where your child can create everything from fizzy reactions to wiggly worms.
It is packed with over 100 experiments and comes with many real scientific tools, encouraging your 4 year old to experiment with enthusiasm and learn fundamental concepts through hands-on play.
f you’re looking for a gift that combines entertainment, education, and safety, this science kit will have your 4-year-old exploring and learning, all while having a blast.
Science Toys For 4 Year Olds
8. Solar System
Perfect for a 4 year old who loves outer space, this kids’ science toy and exploration kit teaches basic concepts about the universe. Through fun projects, kids learn about astronomy topics like:
- moon phases
- constellations
- space vehicles
- lunar and solar eclipses
- earth rotations
- and many more
This will get kids building astronomy-related structures like a rocket, solar clock and a 2D solar system. The experiments are very easy to do but will require the supervision of an adult.
The kit comes with a booklet with simple explanations about each activity at a level that a 4 year old can understand.
9. Talking Microscope
There’s a problem with microscopes for 4 year olds: they operate exactly like adult microscopes which makes them difficult for kids to use.
But give a 4 year old the Educational Insights Talking microscope. And they’ll have a science toy they can easily manipulate, play with and learn from.
This is a fantastic microscope made for preschoolers.
Here’s how this works:
The microscope comes with 60 prepared slides. Your child puts a slide onto the stage, turns the audio on and information about the specimen will be narrated by Bindi Irwin, no less.
The narration tells your child what the specimen is and all other interesting information about it. This makes it even more interesting for a 4-year-old.
It’s a fun rainy-day activity when you want to stay indoors but learn about science at the same time. All the interesting information about each specimen encourages curiosity in all things biology and botany.
Here’s what one parent says about the best microscope for 4 year old boys and girls:
10. Insect Lore Butterfly Garden
This is one of those fun science activities your 4 year old will most likely remember (and to be honest, if they don’t, you will!).
When you buy this science kit for 4 year old kids, you’ll get a net habitat, a feeding dropper and an instruction booklet. It also comes with a caterpillar voucher.
Then when you and your child are ready, you order 5 caterpillars and food (you’ll need to pay for shipping), and you’ll get them on your doorstep within 2-3 days.
Now for the experiment: Your child will see exactly how caterpillars turn to butterflies.
They’ll be the “parents” of the butterflies. As each day passes, they’ll see a live transformation of the life of a butterfly.
What a real “hands-on” experience that involves all senses. And since you’ll be doing this “experiment” in about 2 weeks, you can teach different biology concepts during that whole time.
Here’s a youtube review of this kit by _
11. Outdoor Exploration Kits for 4 year olds
Make going outdoors and nature exploration fun with this nature exploration kit for 4 year olds.
Why not make your walks with a 4 year old fun, interesting and educational by taking an exploration kit along with you. This makes being outdoors a lot more fun for preschoolers. And they also learn about scientific exploration.
There are many variations of these exploration kits but most of them will include a bag, binoculars and compass.
12. Moon Torch
Do you want a simple science toy to add to a 4 year old’s stocking stuffer for example? Then check out KidsLabz Moon Torch.
As the name suggests, it’s a torch that projects the moon onto any surface. Kids simply:
- Turn off the lights (or go to a dark room)
- Turn off the torch
- Point it at a flat surface like the ceiling or a wall
- And then they’ll see a clear image of the moon.
It’s a very simple science toy. But 4 year old kids love it. It can even be part of a bedtime ritual as you look at the moon on the wall together.
Engineering Toys for 4 Year Olds
13. Building Blocks – 1000 pieces
Building blocks are one of those toys you feel every child should have. It helps them develop fine motor skills as well as boost their problem-solving skills. The blocks also teach them a lot about math, engineering and technology while having fun.
But for 4 year olds you’ll need to buy building blocks that are appropriate for their age. Legos are great at some point, but at this time, the bigger blocks are great.
That’s what I love about the Garunk Building Blocks. It’s got over 1000 pieces and also comes with other things like doors, windows and wheels. All these give your child much better flexibility than most other building blocks for 4 year olds out there. Check it out.
14. Magna Tiles
Magna Tiles are not the cheapest engineering toys for 4 year olds. But boy is it a great toy.
For those of you who don’t know, Magna Tiles are big magnetic block pieces that a child can put together to build different structures. To borrow their tagline, Magna Tiles is where Math, science and creativity meet.
Children can use it with free play. But you can also use it as props for homeschooling lessons like when trying to learn something like fractions, puzzles or magnets.
There are many types of Magna tiles, but the Metropolis one is great for 4 year olds.
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15. Toy Rocket Launcher
These stomp rocket launchers teach kids about the laws of physics. And they’re also really fun. They’re great for when you have an outdoor birthday party or a picnic activity. If you also just want the kids to be outside more in the garden, this is a fun activity to do, too.
The “rockets” are made of foam and can go as high as 100 ft. Kids can stomp or jump on them. Great for using all that energy.
16. Montessori Screw Toys
I love Montessori toys. They mimic real life situations but in a safe environment. Like these Montessori screw toys.
Your 4 year old is going to love screwing and unscrewing these. And while they’re doing that, they’re not only playing pretend but also developing sensory and motor skills. Some kids even enjoy this so much they can spend many hours just sitting there figuring this out.
A great small toy you can also easily take with you when you travel.
17. Wooden Geoboard
Here’s another Montessori toy that’s perfect for 4 year olds: a wooden geoboard.
What is a geoboard? Here’s Wikipedia
Geoboards help kids think strategically, develop their imagination and introduces geometry concepts.
Science Books for 4 Year Olds
In addition to science kits for 4 year olds, books are also a great way to teach kids about basic science concepts. When choosing science books for 4 year olds, get a combination of fiction and non-fiction books. Here are some books that many parents recommend.
- Rand Riley’s Really Big Hit
- My First Book of Planets
- My Encyclopedia of Very Important Things: For Little Learners Who Want to Know Everything (My Very Important Encyclopedias)
- The Backyard Bug Book for Kids: Storybook, Insect Facts, and Activities (Let’s Learn About Bugs and Animals)
- Science STEM Sticker book
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