Kids are naturally inquisitive, and that opens up some pretty compelling opportunities to learn through play.
Science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) concepts have been pretty buzzy when applied to toys in recent years, and when it comes to most elements of the acronym, the name “Smithsonian” has been synonymous with the discovery of those concepts for decades.
Now, kids can explore the world (and the galaxy!) around them with the latest Smithsonian STEM Kits from NSI International.
These giftable sets are perfect for self-guided learning and engage curious kids with facts and fun.
For kids interested in what lies beyond our atmosphere, the Smithsonian Planetarium Projector provides a high-definition look at celestial bodies, stars, planets, nebulae, and more. Kids can bring the nighttime sky to their own bedroom by pointing the projector at the ceiling and using the three included discs to discover more than 50 different image combinations.
The Planetary Projector also includes a 15-minute auto-shutoff so that kids can fall asleep beneath a rotating vision of the Northern sky.
Budding geologists can get hands-on with the Smithsonian Rock & Gem Dig Kit. It comes with a full-color poster featuring STEM-based content, including information on different kinds of rocks and how they form.
Kids can chip away at the sand block to carefully excavate an assortment of six rocks and minerals alongside five gemstones.
Fun fact: The Smithsonian has more than 155 million scientific specimens in its collection!
Finally, the Smithsonian Microscope Kit is the perfect tool to provide a bigger look and the smaller things around us at 150x, 450x, and 900x magnification.
An included booklet features suggested beginner experiments and details on how to prepare slides for examination. The kit comes with a trio of prepared slides, a pair of specimen vials, a petri dish, slide labels and covers, tools, and a storage case.
In our house, the kids enjoyed looking at the onion skin from the prepared slides and were able to look at flower petals and blades of grass from our own backyard. The built-in light is reversible with a mirror to get just the right balance for optimum viewing.
While all three of these Smithsonian Kits are packed with educational play value, they’re also incredibly affordable at $14.99-39.99, making them big on fun and light on the wallet!
SMITHSONIAN MICROSCOPE KIT
The Smithsonian Microscope Kit lets kids view leaves, pollen, insect parts, fibers, and more at up to 900 times their actual size! This kit comes with everything kids need to study organisms around them — three prepared slides, six blank slides, two specimen vials, a petri dish, slide labels and covers, tools, a storage case,…
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SMITHSONIAN PLANETARIUM PROJECTOR
When kids aim the projector at a light-colored wall or ceiling, it will project a rotating star pattern of the northern sky. The set includes three disks with 24 space images that kids can project alongside the stars.
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SMITHSONIAN ROCK AND GEM DIG KIT
With Rock and Gem Dig young scientists can carefully chip away at a sand block to excavate six different rocks and minerals and five real gemstones. Kids can learn how different types of rocks form and the difference between rocks and minerals, then use the magnifying glass to inspect their samples. Includes a color STEM…
