Description

This educational kit is loaded with more than 300 projects to build. For example, kids can learn how transistors and capacitors function, and how to make time-delay circuits. In addition, this version includes circuits showing how oscillators and photo sensors work. Projects involve an AM Radio, Burglar Alarm, Radio Announcer and more. Contains over 60 parts. Requires 4 "AA" batteries, not included.

Amazon.com Review

Electronic Snap Circuits by Elenco is an award-winning toy for budding engineers eight years old and above. The SC-300 model includes over 60 parts for creating more than 300 exciting projects. With lights, sounds, motors, and more, you'll not only enjoy creating beeping games, but also learn about basic electronics as well!

Making a simple flying UFO took only a few minutes. View larger.

Create your own complex inventions using parts such as the fan motor, alarm speaker, and over 60 other pieces. View larger.

What We Think Fun Factor: Durability: (what this means) The Good: Makes learning about electronics fun. The Bad: Physics principles can be difficult to understand. In a Nutshell: Interactive, hands-on way of playing with electronics that is fun and educational. At a Glance Ages: 8 and older Requires: 4 AA batteries

Real Electronic Parts
Electronic Snap Circuits includes real circuit components just like the circuit boards inside radios, televisions, computers, and other electronic devices. This set makes it easy for anyone to create simple electronic circuits and devices. To operate, you simply snap the electronic elements onto a plastic grid, and then connect them together with wire pieces that snap easily into place.

The SC-300 lets you build electronic devices such as a whistle chip, speaker, alarm circuit, LED, lamp socket, fan motor, and a speaker. Additional pieces can be purchased separately, or in different models, and they can all be used together to create larger and more elaborate projects.

Making Electronics Fun and Easy
The included instruction manual offers 305 projects ranging from a simple light switch to a noise-activated burglar alarm. We found the color-coded instruction manual clear and easy to understand, and we had no problems creating any of the projects we tried. The projects are organized by levels of difficulty, and each project teaches an objective such as "To show how electricity can only pass in one direction through an LED."

We definitely experienced a sense of satisfaction as we completed each project, and we definitely learned about electronics concepts. The manufacturer recommends the set for ages 8-108; younger engineers should be able to easily follow the diagrams for each project, but will probably require their parents to help explain how everything works. So a word of warning to parents: Brush up on your high school physics! Although the instruction offers some good information, we found that we still needed to brush up on the physics we learned years ago so we could understand concepts such as the difference between a circuit in parallel and in series.

Unique Learning Experience
Creating a flying UFO from "scratch" with rudimentary electronic pieces was highly satisfying to us, and we think Electronic Snap Circuits may well help young students gain and foster an appreciation for, and interest in, how electronics work and are built.

For students who are already learning about electronics in school, this set creates a hands-on experience that makes for more fun than reading about how these things work in a textbook. So don't be surprised if report cards come back with higher grades after playing with this toy.

Parent-Child Bonding Experience
The Elenco Electronic Snap Circuits would make a great parent-child bonding experience that is both educational and fun. As you work through each project with your child, don't be surprised when you, too, are learning something new and interesting. And after you've completed all the projects, you can create your own! The combinations are limitless!

What's in the Box
Plastic "circuit board," over 60 pieces including wire, resistors, speaker, battery holder, motor fan, red led, and lamp module.

Customer Reviews

 Great Mind Toy - Jun 22, 2010

We bought this for our 7 year old for Christmas 2009. What a blast. We were getting a robot for our other son, so we had to up the anty. Well, this one did it. The instructions are very visual, and while our son was starting to read, the words were too difficult, but he could create just following the pictures.

This toy has provided hours of BRAIN-tainment. He has learned all about electricity in a fun way - sirens, helecopters, lights, and more. This may just get him interested in science for life. We chose to use rechargeable batteries, because it gets used so much.

By the way, the robot sits in the corner as a door stop, the snap circuit still gets used! And, he also wants the snap circuits for christmas this year.

 Terrific Set - Jun 11, 2010

This is a really great set and I can't recommend it strongly enough. I bought this for my 4-year old so we could work on it together. It's been three days since it arrived and we've built the first 15 circuits. Both of us love it. The set is well made and the instructions are very clear. The snaps are a bit challenging for a 4-year olds dexterity, but this is expected given the higher age recommendation; she gets very excited with the lights, sounds, and especially the flying saucer. Lots of fun and very educational!

 This is the ultimate thing! - Jun 07, 2010

Talk Education! Talk Fun! Talk all family getting together! Talk invantions!... THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT TO BUY FOR YOUR KIDS!

 Just one more experiment, Mom-PLEASE! - May 21, 2010

I originally bought this 'toy' for my 8-yr old daughter for Christmas. But it was the ONLY thing that both she and her 16 yr old brother ended up playing with that day. These are fun! With a step-by-step color manual, the experiments build one on top of the other. It is easy to follow, and easy to learn. I ended up buying the upgrades for my son, and he used the more advanced parts for his IB Physics class. I will probably have to buy him his own set for college!

My daughter is now studying electricity in her 4th grade class. Her teacher had an old fashioned kit that had never been used and was probably from the 1950's that she was trying to figure out. Instead, I brought in our Snap Circuits. One of the kids was happy to announce he also had them and "they are addictive!" (They are! Even for moms!) The two of them ended up conducting the lesson based on what they'd learned playing, referencing the manual with what you should and shouldn't do. The teacher was thrilled with the set - declaring, "I want some of these." So she is getting a set for her end of the year gift . And we couldn't get the kids to stop! Hence the title of my review-it was the last sentence of a very well received lesson.

And when it is time to clean up? Every piece goes back in it's place with a diagram of where every piece goes-no more junk boxes. AND if you loose a piece or one breaks-Elenco sells spares.

10 stars if I could!

 Great kit for kids - May 10, 2010

We got this kit for our daughter on her 8th birthday. We all loved the simplicity of snapping circuits into place. The only drawback is that the educational value is somewhat limited. Our daughter tends to simply snap the next circuit using the provided picture without understanding what she is doing and why the circuit is built this way. That being said, it's a great kit for kids.

 Best Toy Purchase Ever!! - May 05, 2010

Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.com/review/R2FRYYJVA76HB5 Built his own radio, listened to the ball game. He was SO PROUD of himself! Bought this at Christmas, is still a huge hit six months later. This is a definite buy!

 grandson joy - Apr 20, 2010

The message is loud and clear. My grandson LOVES his birthday present, a toy that is as fun as it is educational. Thanks for getting the present to him so promptly without a hitch. From me in Australia to him in Indiana--simple!

 Snap Circuits Mom - Apr 14, 2010

My 10 year old son asked for this after using Snap Circuits Jr. at school. It provides hours of not just fun but educational value for him his friends and older sister. It makes electronics simple to understand. I found the best price on Amazon.com This is an execellent product.

 Shows how valuable Amazon reviews are - Apr 13, 2010

I bought this for my 10 y.o. son who has shown little interest in science and who, I felt, was falling behind in his 4th grade science subject. His class had done experiements with circuits and he didn't seem very interested.

I wasn't sure if he'd like this or not, but thought I'd give it to him for his birthday. I was prompted by the great reviews. I was half expecting him to turn up his nose when he receive it, but he didn't. It sat on the floor for a few days unopened but then one day he picked it up showing interest in it. I opened it and he began creating the projects that come in the book. He really loved it and so did his 6 y.o. sister. They sit and put the projects together.

My only criticism would be to echo one of the other reviewers that it would be good if the booklet describes a little more what's going on electrically. There are some very complex circuits that you get to build and, for the life of me, I can't figure out how they work. From that point of view, it's not as educational as I'd like. But everything else about the toy is just great.

I have found that every highly-rated toy I've bought at Amazon (and I buy mostly everything on Amazon) has been great. Now when I need to buy a gift, I just go to toys and filter for age and four star or higher reviews. I'm never disappointed.

 A Great Gift for the Right Kid - Apr 03, 2010

I got this kit for my 10 year old. We had been experimenting with kit electric motors, magnets and radios and everything ended up mixed in a box that he liked to play with, so there was interest in this type of toy.

The parts of this kit snap together on a clear plastic grid. The instruction book is a black and white center stapled pamphlet that can be challenging to decipher for builds that are more complex. My son liked building the simple circuit that included the motor with the fan. Many of the advanced plans are very similar.

The kit seems durable but not indestructable. My kids can be pretty rough on things so they have been using this kit with my supervision.

For most kids under 10, this is not the type of toy that they can play with on their own. I have my son use this toy at the dining room table. We check to make sure that all of the parts get back in their place when we are done.

This is an educational toy. My experience is that early exposure to learning experiences like this can shape interests later on in life.

I would have liked to have seen a description of what the various modules do to the electricity to make the magic happen.

If you have any specific questions please leave a comment and I'll try to get back to you as soon as I can.

 A Learning Experience - Mar 26, 2010

My grandson 8 has learned many facts about electricity. He has enjoyed the projects and has many more to do. A great gift for a young person showing an interest in sceince.

 Fantastic educational yet fun toy - Mar 23, 2010

I got this toy for my 10 year old son's birthday, and it's the best $40 I've ever spent. My son loves science and he just learned about circuit at school. So being able to make his own circuit plus much more just delights him. Ever since he got this gift, he's building different projects. He was so happy when he heard sounds from his AM radio. This toy will be a great birthday/Christmas present for kids who are glued to TV/handheld games too.

 Best $40 buck I ever spent!!!! - Mar 20, 2010

Just get this toy. I'd trade in 10 of my sons other toys for this one. He's 5 and in kindergarden and can now build a radio, fan thing, sound machine thing, all by himself. He's done maybe 30 projects overall. He's taken at least 3 projects to school for "share" that he has built. This toy is well built, fun and educational. A must have for boys and girls alike. I wish all toys were as cool as this one.

 I bought this for my creative 9 year-old - Mar 20, 2010

I bought this for my creative and sometimes understimulated 9 year-old for his birthday. He played with it for about two weeks nonstop and when he was detained his older brother, who is 11, played with it. There were so many things for him to do, he almost couldn't decide what to do first. The pieces were easy to fit and the projects were complex enough to make him think but not too hard for him either.

 Fun and educational toy - Mar 11, 2010

I have bought versions of Snap Circuits for both my kids. These sets are unique: intriguing, fun, generally easy but with certain 'good' challenges. If you buy the right set for the right age, kids can overcome the challenges and they love the sense of accomplishment! Every activity on the board leads to a small but cool 'product,' like a disk that flies up or a fan that can be turned on and off. Older kids can learn why the circuit of electricity works and doesn't work. There is a very informative booklet. Even the littliest can get the idea that the circult must be connected properly to make electricity. Very nicely made, lots of activities with each set, great booklet. An all-around exceptional toy!

 Wonderful toy... - Mar 07, 2010

I echo the chorus... This toy is great. It's so much fun that you don't notice how very educational it is. (I'm learning as much as my children.) Would not hesitate to buy it again.

 Exceptional Toy for Curious Minds -Young and Old - Mar 05, 2010

Bought this for my daughter for Christmas. At age 9, she loves science and wanted to know more about electricity and electronics. She and my engineer husband have spent hours together building projects from this kit. The projects start with simple circuits and move on to more complex builds. The kit and instructions are well-designed. The instructions are easy to follow. The parts included in the kit are sturdy and are a "snap" to use. We can't wait to show Snap Circuits to our Science Olympiad Team. We highly recommend this toy!

 Snap circuits sc-300 - Mar 03, 2010

Excellent learning tool! This toy should not be catorgorized as a
a toy! The learning value for this "toy" is unbelievable. I'd
highly reccommend it anyone. If you are a science teacher, its a great
way to teach your student electronics.

 Decent gift from an uncle - Feb 17, 2010

It may be better suited for classroom environments, but it was still well received by my neices. They weren't very interested in _how_ it worked.

 Educational gift - Feb 14, 2010

This was purchased for my grandson's 10th birthday. He loved it and immediately built several of the things in the booklet.

 One of the best educational toys out there - Feb 11, 2010

My son received this as a gift when he was five and we just bought one for my nephew who just turned seven. Not only do they enjoy building the different circuits (which is pretty easy to do because the pictures are so well-done), but I enjoy it as well! I've learned a lot about electricity and once I got over my fear that we would somehow all shock ourselves, we've really gotten into understanding the fundamentals and not just following the directions. Highly recommended.

 Grandma made a poor choice - Feb 10, 2010

This product looks wonderful, came highly recommended, and looked very durable. I bought two of the Snap Circuits SC300 and 2 Snapticity My 8 and 9 1/2-year-old grandsons were not at all interested in the Snap Circuits. I spent $180 when all was totaled (including 2 Hyper Dash toys) and the boys have not used any of the items. It was very disappointing. My intent was to buy very interesting toys that would bring them enjoyment and help them learn something new. The youngest thanked me when they were ready to leave and said, "Grandma, for our birthdays we would like Lego's."

 8 yr old granddaughter as fascinated as 10 yr old grandson - Feb 09, 2010

I bought Snap Circuits for my grandson for Christmas and we started building the different circuits the next day. He loves Legos and this is perfect because of the different modules. The positive reinforcement of lights and sound from easy to more complicated circuits is great. My 8 year old granddaughter was intrigued by the patterns of the different pieces, and quickly was telling him where to put the pieces. I am an engineer and an educator, and think this is a great product.Snap Circuits SC-300

 Great toy!!! - Feb 08, 2010

My 8 year old son loves this toy. It is made well and they quickly replaced a defective part. I would highly recommend this for any child who loves to build and explore.

 One of the best purchases ever - Feb 06, 2010

We have had Snap Circuits SC-300 for about six weeks, and it has been used every single day. My 6 year old says he wants to be an electrician from playing with it. The projects are fun, and creating your own projects is exciting.

We had a couple parts burn out already, but the company quickly sent replacements at no charge to us.

I gave the educational value 4 stars because I wish the booklet explained more about electicity. We don't always understand what the parts actually do. Despite this, we are learning a ton and enjoying the project immensely.

Perfect for homeschoolers like us!