Stay in your element with the best chemistry sets for kids and adults.
Chemistry is one of the most exciting types of experimental science, but it can also be an intimidating and complex subject for some people. But learning about chemistry doesn’t have to be boring. With hands-on activities found in chemistry kits, kids and adults alike will catch on quickly. The best chemistry sets include a diverse variety of challenging experiments for every skill level.
Some kits are better than others, though, especially if you’re looking for a beginner kit. For kids, you’ll want to stick to one with easy-to-read instructions and basic experiments that don’t require many moving parts. If a more advanced chemistry kit is on your wish list, there are plenty of options – including subscription boxes. With these, you can have a new experiment every month. One-time kit purchases are more common, sometimes including up to 80 experiments. From mixing chemicals to growing crystals, the possibilities are endless.
Whether you’re looking to stay within a small price range or have plenty to spend, we’ve compiled a list of the best chemistry sets for every budget. With our kids and adults list, you won’t have to worry about finding a chemistry kit that is exactly what you’re hoping for.
For more scientific tools and toys for your young ones, check out our guides to the best microscopes for kids and science kits for kids.
Best chemistry sets for kids
Starting things off with the best chemistry sets for kids, we have the National Geographic Science Magic Kit. This is a great option for those looking for a way to engage kids with science, by framing experiments as magic tricks. Color changes, magically appearing snow, and floating coin activities will gradually build on your child’s understanding of chemistry. There’s a magic wand included and easy-to-read kid-friendly instructions.
Even the most seasoned scientists still manage to find wonder in the basics of chemistry, with many fundamental experiments seeming like the work of magic. There are a few options available here, ranging from a starter kit featuring 10 activities, to a larger bundle that offers a wider variety of tests and tricks. The Science Magic Kit is designed for kids that want to show off their experiments to friends and family, adding a layer of theatricality to the proceedings.
For those looking for a more expansive chemistry set that’s still approachable for young kids, WILD! Science’s Test Tube Chemistry Lab is a solid choice. For starters, there are over 50 experiments to learn, including a test tube lava lamp, and STEM projects involving the metals copper and zinc.
Clear and easy-to-understand instructions can really make or break a kids’ chemistry set, so it’s great that you’ll find a large, full-color set included here. One of the bonuses with this kit are the resealable containers, which should help cut down on waste and mess. There’s a wide variety of activities for your child to enjoy, covering everything from color changes to more educational tasks that explain pH, diffusion, and invisible gases.
When selecting a chemistry set for children, presentation and packaging can be key to getting them engaged initially. The Playz Extreme Kids Chemistry Kit features a more cartoon-like design on the box and has more of a playful tone than other kits on this list. It offers over 52 experiments, including crystal growing and an underwater volcano.
The main issue here is that the kit is pretty pricey when compared to its competitors. It does seem to be on offer fairly often however, so well worth picking up if you can catch it on a discount.
The Ooze Labs kit from Thames & Kosmos features 20 experiments that teach chemistry through the wonder of slime and ooze. This is a brilliant set for younger kids, and has an easy to set-up stand. This stand holds test tubes and can be used to clip the experiment cards to. The experiment cards are brief, easy-to-understand instructions for each activity, with deeper explanations and science facts found in the accompanying booklet.
As you will likely know, kids love slime, and this is a way to get them active and interested in how stretchy materials are formed. The Ooze set adds an extra layer of fun, framing important scientific concepts in ways that children will love.
If color-changing and crystal science are your jam, the Einstein Box Ultimate Science Kit will provide hours of fun. Forty experiments are included, with activities ranging from soap science to glow-in-the dark materials, and even making your own bath bombs. The great thing about this set is that the instructions are downloadable, saving you from physical booklets that can be prone to damage and spills.
The chemicals that are included come in resealable packaging, alongside brightly colored equipment and tools. The only downside here is that it's slightly more expensive than some of the other options available, though it would be perfect if you can pick it up on sale.
Best chemistry sets for adults
For those looking for a more science-focused chemistry set, the Discovery STEM Science Kit is a great choice. There are 40 experiments to try out, ranging from core concepts like acid/base reactions, to creating stringy worms. That’s not to say that this set is at all dense, more that it presents the science behind each experiment up-front. Important topics like pH litmus changes are taught, helping you take on some of the fundamentals of professional chemistry.
The Discovery STEM set has a couple of bonuses over the others on this list. First up is the included blacklight, which adds an extra layer of magic to some of the experiments. There’s a bonus poster too, showing off some of the activities that you will have carried out.
National Geographic has some truly great science sets, being one of the best brands for those wanting to scratch their inner Einstein. The best thing about these sets is that while they can be enjoyed by kids, the presentation and contents appeal to all ages too. This stunning set is a great option for adults/teens looking for quantity as well as quality when it comes to experiments as this box is split into three different sets: chemistry, Earth science, and science magic. As this is a bundle of sorts, it carries a higher price tag, but with the variety and depth to back it up.
Earth sciences and chemistry topics are all covered here, with everything from crystal growing to pH tests included. This is a chemistry set that will have something for everyone, with enough diversity in its activities to keep things fresh and interesting.
Now for something completely different. The MEL Science Experiments Subscription Box allows you to purchase chemistry experiments a box at a time. Three experiments are featured per month, building on the starter kit to cover new topics every time. This subscription-based model does make things a bit more expensive, but it’s perfect for teens/adults who want to expand their knowledge of chemistry, and receive regular updates to their available experiments.
The first shipment includes 71 high-quality tools, setting the groundwork for future deliveries. Topics include colorful chemistry and VR-based activities. A cardboard VR headset is also included in the first shipment, with 70+ VR experiments to explore.
The Thames & Kosmos Chem C500 kit is another great example of a chemistry set that offers science-focused, fact-based fundamental chemistry experiments. There are 28 experiments to work through, with electrochemical reactions and invisible ink production being the highlights.
The set comes with a 48-page full-color booklet that explains each experiment in detail. Chemistry goes beyond textbooks, and this set does a fantastic job at conveying just that.
Finally, we have another set from Thames & Kosmos. This gigantic set is the most expensive on this list, but with 250 experiments, and a full set of professional quality lab tools included, it’s well worth the investment. This is definitely a step up from the other selections on this list in terms of quality, so it’s perfect for adults. You’ll find great easy-to-read instructions, a wide range of activities, and plenty to keep you busy.
