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

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 Average rating - 5.0

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-11-19
Content: This is not your old science kit that sits on a shelf that you need help to do. This is so simple. My boys were 5 and 8 when they got this and both can look at the diagrams and simply snap their way to a new experiement - no help needed. But it is actually fun to do this with them. I think this was just the right size set, too.
Summary: Everyone should have this toy

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-11-08
Content: We bought this for my daughter as part of HomeSchooling's projects. She and my husband work together but mainly our 8-year-old does it pretty much on her own- very fun and easily instructed! What a great product!!!!
Summary: Great Kit!!!

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-10-18
Content: I purchased this kit for my grandson's 9th birthday. It has to be kept up high and away from his little brother. The giftee gets it down and does an experiment or two, puts away the pieces, and voluntarily returns it to safety.
I am impressed by the progression of difficulty and skill level in the books of experiments. He is learning about electricity and enjoying it too!
Summary: Grandson loves it!

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-07-12
Content: This is a great educational "toy." The book has so many models to build, each illustrating a different concept. The color coding of the parts and their durability and ease of use are brilliant. This set inspires my 10 year old son to build other inventions. Hours of focus and learning!

My son first started with the Snap Circuits Jr and now loves the Snap Circuits SC-300. Snap Circuits are far superior to other electronic kits. Color coding of parts and modular building on a platform make the Snap Circuits sets immediately accessible to the child (and even adults!) and allow independence right away! The book gives projects in increasing difficulty. Just an amazing set!
Summary: Inspires Learning

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-06-23
Content: My son loves it. He is in middle school, but this is his first exposure to electronics. I wished they had a little more explanation about certain components and what they do and what their purpose is. Luckily I was able to explain but not all parents will be.
Summary: Educational and fun....what a parent likes