Snap Circuits SC-750R

Product: Snap Circuits SC-750R Student Electronics Training Program (& other kits)
Company: Snap Circuits (Elenco)
Website: www.snapcircuits.net
Recommended Age Range: 4 and Up
Price Range: ~$125 (as low as $20 for smaller kits)
Amazon Product Page (Affiliate Link)

Comments: Snap Circuits are a widely and highly recommended, award-winning product (which is how I discovered them). I initially bought the smallest kit (Snap Circuits, Jr. around $21) for a 6 year old neighbor’s birthday party. He and his parents both loved it. After a few initial explanations, the 6 year old is now able to build the circuits entirely independently. In fact, he doesn’t want help and is proud to show off what he can do to visitors. As an engineer, I honestly couldn’t wait to buy this for my son who is only 4. However, I considered it more of an investment than a “toy”. With this mindset, I bought the biggest set available (SC-750R Student Training Program) which is regularly around $125. On the website camelcamelcamel.com, you can see the price history of a product and set price watches for the price you would like to pay. While I consider $125 a good deal for what you get, I wasn’t in a hurry, so I set a price watch for $100 and bought it when it dropped to that price briefly a couple months later. (Note: as of today, it has only dropped to $100 twice in the past year.)

While my 4 year old is not able to make the circuits all by himself like our 6 year old neighbor can, he is definitely learning. He can find nearly all of the components the circuit will need based on the diagrams, though I need to help him locate where they should go on the circuit board. I also love that he is learning the names of electronic components like motor, switch, diode, resistor, LED, etc. Another great thing about this product is that so far the pieces seem really sturdy. After spending as much money as we did, I of course tell my kids (4 years and 2 years) they need to be super careful, but we’ve built more than 30 circuits and I’m getting a little lax. I’ve even let the 2 year old “play” with the pieces with only casual supervision and she hasn’t broken anything. What is also awesome is that she is clearly learning too. When building a circuit using these snap together pieces, there are always at least two layers. The first layer puts down all the major elements of the circuit and the second layer connects everything together. After just the first couple projects, my toddler seemed to catch on before my preschooler the purpose of the second layer, effectively making bridges across the pieces. I was amazed when she started trying to put a few of the pieces intuitively in the correct locations. (The 2 year old still has trouble actually snapping them down though.)

Another great aspect of this product is that it’s fun and intuitive for adults as well. Yesterday I showed my 35 year old journalist friend how easy it was to make a circuit so she could see what it was like since she is considering getting it for her kids. Together, we made a doorbell with her doing nearly all the work. She was initially intimidated, but after building her first circuit, she felt confident she knew how to do it on her own. She was so proud of herself she took a picture of the finished product and when my husband came home, she said, “Did Michelle tell you what I did today?” Since it was hours later, I had no idea what she was talking about. She said in a very self-satisfied, pleased tone, “I made a doorbell.”

This is truly one of my favorite educational products in our house. I’ll need to see as time goes on what the upper limit of the educational value of this product is, but given the enthusiasm my kids have whenever I say, “Wanna build a circuit?” I’m sure we’ll get through all 750 projects eventually.

Included on Lists:

1. Best Gifts for 4 Year Olds
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3. Best Gifts for 6 Year Olds
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