Best Science Kits for 11 Year Olds

Powered by natural sunlight, this eco-friendly STEAM building kit will allow your budding scientists to build four moving robot models. This 2021 Winner at the Independent Toy Awards is a fun beginners’ introduction to solar power technology. All powered up by simply placing in direct sunlight – a truly brilliant kit!

Recipient of Gift of the Year 2019, you know you’re onto a winner with this brilliant marble run. A flat-pack that kids can assemble themselves, they just need to follow the simple instructions and push-fit the plywood pieces together, with a build time of 1-2 hours. Once the the spiral run and zig-zag are assembled the electric motor is added, and then the fun begins. The marbles are raised to the top of the lift, descend down the spiral then the zig-zag track, then taken back up to start all over again. As well as being fun to build and mesmerising to watch, this kit helps aspiring scientists develop their logical reasoning, concentration, and spatial insight.

This entertaining 230 piece kit combines solar and hydraulic power to build twelve different mechanical models, from a snapping crocodile and a running ostrich to a master with a dog and a digging excavator. Each model has its own unique mechanical move, and everything is powered by solar energy and water, no batteries required. The kit comes with a solar panel, mechanical gear box and hydraulic transmission – a fantastic way for 11 year old girls and boys to learn about science.

This awesome 250-piece kit allows pre-teens to explore kinetic energy and launch balls up a twisting track! Featuring two alternative builds, eight ping-pong style balls and full colour illustrations, this set is a sure-fire winner.

Build one yourself and learn about pneumatic, robotic and hydraulic technology in the process. Using over 200 plastic pieces and piston tubes that you fill with water, build an awesome mechanical hand that uses hydraulic power to simulate the movements of the human hand–no motors or electricity required! Once assembled, your cyborg hand slips onto your own hand like a glove, with mechanical fingers that you operate with your own fingers and that can grip objects with enough force to lift them.

This fantastic game is all about balance, but it’s more interesting than it sounds! The challenge is to balance the eight connected discs on top of each other, but there’s a twist. Each magnetic wooden disc rotates on a different axis, which means they spin and swivel all over the place. Once – or should we say if! – you’ve mastered the upright stack, try using your other hand or even upside down for the ultimate challenge. A really mesmerising gift idea for any 11 year old interested in science – lots of fun and impossible to put down!

Another super cool gift idea – what science-loving 11 year old doesn’t want to build their own robotic arm? And the really cool bit – it’s fuelled by the power of water, no motor or battery required. Once the mechanical arm has been constructed, it can be moved with great accuracy using levers. It can lift objects of up to 50g using the gripper, or the suction cup attachment can pick up smooth items. A great way to build engineering skills and learn all about hydraulic power!

Any 11 year old excited by exoskeletons will be stoked to own this amazing model showing the internal and external parts of a scorpions body. An illustrated guide book contains step-by-step instructions showing how to snap-fit the pieces together without any tools or glue needed. Then the 30cm skeleton and organs can be inspected through transparent panels. It comes with a stand so it can be displayed in bedrooms to fascinate onlookers – or surprise the unwary!