Some children love to learn. They love the classroom environment and enjoy listening to their teacher, making notes, asking questions and soaking it all up,, and that’s brilliant. But for some that style of learning simply doesn’t work. It doesn’t matter how hard they try they simply can’t grasp things as well as they can when they get hands on which is why the Bandai’s National Geographic Kids STEM sets are so amazing. They allow children to get physical with their learning, see how things work in real time and allow them to be more active participants in the process. It makes learning magical, bringing to life things they have only previously read about in books or watched on TV and now they can build, dig, touch and uncover the information for themselves.
What is STEM?
STEM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. Subjects that very much open themselves up to the possibility of hands on learning.
- Science – the study of the natural world (e.g., biology, chemistry, physics).
- Technology – applying scientific knowledge through tools, software, and systems.
- Engineering – designing and building structures, machines, systems, and processes.
- Mathematics – the language of numbers, patterns, and logic used across all fields.
STEM is often emphasised in education and careers because these fields are critical for innovation, economic growth, and tackling global challenges.
Bandai’s National Geographic Kids STEM Range
The Bandai’s National Geographic Kids STEM range aims to inspire, illuminate and teach future generations of young scientists and explorers. There are multiple sets in the range covering a variety of topics that kids will love to explore.
Build your own Volcano
Budding volcanologists can explore the fascinating science behind volcanic eruptions with the Build Your Own Volcano Kit (RRP £9.99). Kids will learn how to build and paint their own volcano, before seeing it erupt using the special eruption powder! The handy learning guide comes loaded with lots of information about the science behind volcanic eruptions, and the kit comes with everything required to create an awesome eruption, including two genuine volcanic rock specimens, volcano mould, paints and brushes, eruption powder and plaster.
Review
This set is great for curious minds and those that love arts and crafts, getting a bit dirty and physically doing. It does take time and you need to do it in stages as the volcano needs to set but for that reason it makes a great longitudinal project that you can do with your child for continued learning.
Gemstone Dig Kit
Reveal spectacular hidden gems in the Gemstone Dig Kit (RRP £9.99). Perfect for treasure hunters, this kit comes with handy digging tools to carefully uncover three genuine gemstones! With an excavation time of around 30 minutes, which gems will be discovered first – amethyst, quartz or tiger’s eye? Complete with everything kids need to channel their inner gemstone hunter, this kit includes digging brick, archaeological digging tools, magnifying glass and learning guide.
Review of the Gemstome Dig Kit
This set is a firm favourite in our house. It is easy to use and although it states from aged 8 our daughter (5) loved it just as much as her brother (12) so as long as you can supervise I would say from age 5 is fine.
The kit comes with everything you need but be warned it does get messy and dusty so cover your table first and avoid doing it in a carpeted room if possible. We had so much fun using this, the excitement to see what gems they could find was lovely to watch and it was great to spark conversations about archaeologist, gem stones and even fossils, palaeontologists and different jobs.
Dino Fossil Dig Kit
Become a real palaeontologist and experience the thrill of discovery with the Dino Fossil Dig Kit (RRP £9.99). Roll up your sleeves and grab the archaeological digging tools, because it’s time to excavate a life-sized replica of a 8cm T-Rex tooth! Complete with digging brick, tools, magnifying glass and learning guide, this kit is guaranteed to fascinate young minds!
Crystal Growing Lab
Bring some sparkle to your science experiments with the Crystal Growing Lab Assortment (RRP £9.99). With a choice of two sets in the assortment, these fun and fascinating sets teach how to grow your own crystals in 7-10 days. With top tips and packed with facts, the learning guide provides instructions on how to create glow in the dark green or cool purple crystals. The set also comes with a genuine crystal too, so you can compare your creations with the real thing! It’s easy to get started, as the kit comes with everything you need, including growing powder, seed rock, stir stick, a fluorite specimen and learning guide.
Crystal Garden Kit
Take your crystal-growing skills up a level with the Crystal Garden Kit (RRP £9.99). This brilliant set cleverly blends a science experiment with an art project, where kids have to colour in trees and then watch crystals grow in as little as 6 hours! The handy learning guide provides easy to follow instructions, but it’s super easy to get started! Simply use the pens to decorate the tree, then place the tree in the plastic tray before pouring in the crystal growing liquid – easy! Then watch as your crystal tree grows real rose quartz crystals! Comes with two trees, a crystal growing solution, five felt pens, tray and learning guide.
Cool Reactions Chemistry Set
Grab your lab coat and prepare to explore the exciting world of PH science and chemical reactions with the Cool Reactions Chemistry Set (RRP £9.99)! There are five awesome chemistry experiments to try out, all of which cleverly demonstrate the principles of acid-based reactions, PH indication and colour-changing reactions. Which will you complete first; make it red with acid, make it blue with base, the power of purple (mixing acid and base to create a fizzing reaction), reveal a secret message or hide a secret message? Whatever you choose, the kit comes with everything you need, including sodium bicarbonate, citric acid, red cabbage powder, four pieces of PH paper, three sponges, three cups, two measuring scoops, a spray bottle, pipette and learning guide. This kit also comes with enough materials to do the experiments more than once – cool!
If you have a child who either struggles with the usual classroom based learning, or has shown a real interest in STEM subjects then these are a must. They are so much fun, come with everything you need, are easy to use and spark some fantastic conversations allowing your child to learn though hands on experiences. It also leaves your child with an end product too, something to show for their hard work and something that can act as a reminder of the knowledge learnt at a later date.
If you are already thinking ahead to Christmas then this will be a great gift