Reddit reviews Elenco Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100, Black

Try snap circuits:
http://www.amazon.ca/Elenco-Snap-Circuits-Jr-SC-100/dp/B00008BFZH/ref=sr_1_3?s=toys&ie=UTF8&qid=1417963646&sr=1-3&keywords=snap+circuits

The links for the JR. Snap Circuits which is what I used in summer camp for kids 4-12. Kids love them because they can try to make their own circuits and there's some really cool ones in the attached book. There're the really basic ones that just light a bulb but they get more and more complicated. Only warning is that it comes with a fan that can fly off and potentially cut someone, so I'd supervise him very carefully.

EDIT: The kit does say 8+ but you can use it with younger kids without too much trouble. I used to keep the batteries and just make sure it was all connected properly with the younger kids.

Preschool teacher here!

Expensive STEM stuff -- I've worked with all of them. If I had to get one, I'd probably do Osmo.

Bee bots

Dot and Dash

Cubetto

Osmo

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Other Manipulatives and Toys:

Reptangles - I found these at Savers and my students are super in to them right now.

Snap Circuits

Ikea Cars (not really stem but fun and high quality)

Mobilos -- can create cars but also so many other things

Marble runs of any style

"Pattern Play" Blocks -- We have these but I don't have the instructions, but kids still end up making fun designs out of them!

BIG Waffle Blocks

Architectural blocks sets -- for example

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I have a major soft spot for board games (and related) at this age. Here are a few I love.

Animal Upon Animal

The Little Orchard

Count Your Chickens

Snug as a Bug in a Rug

Snail's Pace Race

Rivers, Roads, and Rails

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Ultimately, though, your focus should be on having fun! Your 3 year old does not need to be reading and writing or doing basic math. He should be learning to play cooperatively, self regulate, and be independent. I would focus on language skills and his ability to communicate effectively and understand directions. I teach Pre-K (currently 5 year olds about to go into Kindergarten) and I do not care at all whether they can write their names or do simple math.

If they liked the perplexus, get the child a Snap Circuit Jr. Its a great learning tool for electronics and circuits, but also a ton of fun to build things along the way. Comes with instructions for like 80+ different mini games etc.

https://www.amazon.ca/Elenco-Snap-Circuits-Jr-SC-100/dp/B00008BFZH

You can also add onto the kit later if they enjoy it.

>First, can any of you recommend some good kid-friendly resources for learning the fundamentals of physics, electrical theory and engineering, particularly as they relate to Nerf blasters?

https://smile.amazon.com/Nerf-Blaster-Modification-Guide-Unofficial-ebook/dp/B07KGG7P89/

https://smile.amazon.com/Thinking-Physics-Practical-Lessons-Critical/dp/0935218068/

This same kind of thing can be accomplished using breadboard, nerf mod supplies, switches, battery packs, solid-core wire, and a multimeter.

https://smile.amazon.com/Snap-Circuits-SC-100-Electronics-Exploration/dp/B00008BFZH/

https://smile.amazon.com/3D-Printing-Projects-DK/dp/0241302218/

And then when a bit older

https://smile.amazon.com/Research-Design-Qualitative-Quantitative-Approaches/dp/1506386709/

I got this for my gfs niece last year. Her mother said she loves it. https://www.amazon.com/Snap-Circuits-SC-100-Electronics-Discovery/dp/B00008BFZH/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1467901834&sr=8-8&keywords=science+toys

Check out Snap Circuits and Snap Circuits Jr. as well.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008BFZH/

These are in regular rotation at my house:

[Snap Circuits] (https://www.amazon.com/Snap-Circuits-SC-100-Electronics-Discovery/dp/B00008BFZH/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479317434&sr=8-1&keywords=snap+circuits)

[Xyloba Musical Marble Run] (https://www.amazon.com/Xyloba-Musical-Marble-Run-Mezzo/dp/B0039BDB8U/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1479317393&sr=8-1&keywords=xyloba)

[hot wheels cars and track] (https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_2?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=hot+wheels+track) - we don't have any of the prefab sets, just the track - miles of it from what it feels like.

Art Supplies - paper, paint, markers, colored pencils, oil pastels

[And then adding on to Legos, books like Crazy Contraptions or Chain Reactions] (https://www.amazon.com/Klutz-LEGO-Chain-Reactions-Craft/dp/0545703301/ref=pd_sim_21_17?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1&refRID=D9EYSBSVT92VETETB5WS)


Board games -

Sleeping Queens, Card and Go Seek, Creature Clash, Battle Ship, checkers, Sorry

Toy robots like Transformers Rescue Bots might work for her age. As she gets older, introduce her to toys like Snap Circuits to help her learn about electronics. Understanding about electronics will come in handy for anyone who likes building robots.

http://www.amazon.com/Snap-Circuits-SC-100-Electronics-Discovery/dp/B00008BFZH

My daughter loves hers. It's enough of a "toy" to not have a serious mentality.

Snap Circuits Jr. SC-100 Electronics Exploration Kit | Over 100 STEM Projects | 4-Color Project Manual | 30 Snap Modules | Unlimited Fun https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008BFZH/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_YBD9BbYEFZTDE

These were my son's favs last year... they're good for a kid who likes taking stuff apart and putting it back together (I mean, who doesn't?), can follow directions and will spend time working through a bit of frustration. Or good for a kid practicing those things :)

• Snap Circuits
  
• Basic erector sets > legos
  
• Marble mazes, contraptions
  
• Squishy Human body is squishy AND sticky but pretty darn nifty
  
• Lab in a bag is worth the $12 or whatever but beware fake snow
  
• Rush Hour Jr. is a ridiculously fun single player game
  
• Hyper dash - awesome for getting out nasty weather, stuck indoors heeby-jeebies while... learning math?
  
  And I just found this 6-in-1 solar projects kit... must have it.
  
  Toys are awesome.

My 11 yo son got snap circuits a few years ago and loved them. I think they'd still be cool for your son. Snap circuits are electric parts that snap together like legos and you can make projects such as a light that flashes or a siren. It teaches them about electricity and it's my favorite educational purchase ever. It's $20 for a basic kit that does about 80 different projects in increasing difficulty. They are rated #1 in science education on amazon. They come with everything.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00008BFZH/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1426979922&sr=8-1&keywords=snap+circuits&dpPl=1&dpID=51J81R-V0TL&ref=plSrch&pi=AC_SX200_QL40

Abstract toys are a good idea, we've got a few sets of those for kids to play with. I remember the tub of Legos I had growing up and how much fun that was building things with it.

In addition to abstract toys, I'm looking for things that parents wouldn't normally have access to. Many kids already have Lego sets but they probably don't have something like this http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008BFZH

I have a 7 yr old girl (and 5 yr old boy) both of whom love science & any type of hands-on activity. I emphasize hands-on because I would suggest not getting a DVD set or book set.... kids are more apt to get excited about actually DOING science (oh, and I'm a former science teacher too). My daughter also enjoys reading science books & I just let her go wild at the library & she always finds something that surprises me.

We got my daughter "Snap Circuits" last xmas and BOTH kids love it. It's a little hard for them to do alone & MANY (most?) of the circuits/projects are over their heads conceptually. Regardless - this is a set that they can both use for years (in the reviews, there are many teens and pre-teens who enjoy experimenting), and it DOES help to show the basic concept of what a simple circuit is/does and what components may be present. They have come to understand that a circuit includes a closed loop, power source, etc... Looks like their smallest model is less than $30.

http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-SC-100-Snap-Circuits-Jr/dp/B00008BFZH/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1376360010&sr=8-1&keywords=snap+circuits

Another thing that both kids have loved is just a basic "science experiment" kit that my bro-in-law gave her for her 6th b-day. I was opposed to ever buying one of these sets b/c so many of the ingredients are just simple household items - I thought I'd much rather have them experience the "magic" of science via materials in the kitchen cupboards. But - the kits are really great & provide a lot of instruction & explanation & include things that you wouldn't necessarily have on hand. I think they're actually well worth getting (and contain lots of fun pipettes & test tubes/etc). I can't find a link for the one she got, but search Amazon & you'll see lots of selection for $20 or less.

There is competition, but they don't seem to emphasize learning curves, where they start with simple projects that grow in complexity as new concepts are learned. The kits seem like a hodge-podge of parts and a project book, without a lesson plan.

This is an ideal product, though it involves simpler circuits and targets 8-and-ups. I'm hoping to target 12-and-ups.

If people are looking for ideas for educational toys, this range of kid's electronic circuits are great - https://www.amazon.co.uk/Snap-Circuits-SC-100-Jr/dp/B00008BFZH/

They are compatible with other simlar ones (e.g. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Cambridge-Brainbox-Primary-Electronics-Kit/dp/B001MJ7DB2/)

Great to find in charity shops and car boot sales too since you can keep building up a library of components

Non-mobile: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00008BFZH/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1426979922&sr=8-1&keywords=snap+circuits&dpPl=1&dpID=51J81R-V0TL&ref=plSrch&pi=AC_SX200_QL40

^That's ^why ^I'm ^here, ^I ^don't ^judge ^you. ^PM ^/u/xl0 ^if ^I'm ^causing ^any ^trouble. ^WUT?

My minecraft kid really loves the shirts that feature his youtube heroes, in fact i'm getting him a pat and jen shirt this year, but he also loves the dantdm one from walmart. As Ejalamung suggested, sunglasses are huge and a watch is great. Those are two really good ones.

Nerf shooters go over really big, as well as the toy archery kits.

Have you looked at anything like snap circuits?
https://www.amazon.com/Snap-Circuits-SC-100-Electronics-Discovery/dp/B00008BFZH/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1478652891&sr=1-1&keywords=snap+circuits

My kids also really loved this, moon in my room
https://www.amazon.com/Remote-Control-Décor-Night-Light/dp/B000EUHKUE/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1478653304&sr=1-1&keywords=moon+in+my+room+uncle+milton

Hope you have a wonderful christmas!

Sonya, Your Momma wouldn't tell you this but ....

Sweet child, this world is made up of all kinds of people with different ways of thinking, believing and feeling, this is important because be different is not being wrong, being different is what makes you unique. Love what makes you different, and love what makes others different.

I hope it's okay to share more than one thing that I think every child should have.

rock tumbler

Snap Circuits jr kit

Prime Club game

Happy birthday!!