Best in Show
SparkFun Inventor's Kit (SIK)
Why we love it:
The SIK v4.1 is the culmination of years of revisions based on user feedback on how to get started with programming and hardware interaction with the Arduino language. Besides the careful consideration of included hardware, the SIK v4.1 also includes the full-color, spiral-bound guidebook with circuit diagrams and hookup tables for building each project and circuit. Plus, the final project is an autonomous robot!
For ages 10 and up.
Purchase the SIK
For Young Children
Snap Circuits - 300 Experiments
Why we love it:
Start learning electronics by simply snapping parts together while following a fully-illustrated guidebook. With easy-to-use, well-built pieces, children are able to complete projects such as a Light-Controlled Alarm or a Saltwater Detector. The experiments include resistors, capacitors, transistors and more, so children gain an understanding of how these parts function in the electronics world.
For ages 8 and up.
Purchase the Snap Circuits Kit
Learning Soldering
SparkFun Simon Says - Through-Hole Soldering Kit
Why we love it:
This a versatile soldering kit for beginners to learn to solder LEDs, battery clips, a 28-pin microprocessor and more. The kit also comes with batteries and, of course, you'll have your very own Simon game when you're finished!
Added bonus: After it's all put together, you can reprogram the kit with Arduino.
For ages 11 and up.
Purchase the Simon Says - Soldering Kit
Intro to Robotics
Why we love it:
Robots are fun, and the micro:bit is the perfect controller for learning how to build and program robots! Combining the micro:bit with the SparkFun moto:bit carrier board creates a flexible, low-cost robotics platform for robot enthusiasts young and old! With the SparkFun micro:bot kit you will be able to create simple robots quickly without spending hours learning how to build and program your bot.
For ages 9 and up.
Purchase the micro:bot Kit
Playing with Simple Circuits
Makey Makey Classic by JoyLabz
Why we love it:
With the Makey Makey, you can make anything conductive into a key, just by connecting a few alligator clips. The Makey Makey Classic by JoyLabz is an invention kit that tricks your computer into thinking almost anything is a keyboard. This allows you to hook up all kinds of fun things as an input; for example, play Mario with a Play-Doh keyboard, or make a piano with fruit!
For ages 8 and up.
Purchase the Makey Makey
Crafting with e-Textiles/e-Sewing
LilyPad Sewable Electronics Kit
Why we love it:
This kit lets you explore the wonderful world of electronic sewing (e-sewing) and e-textiles through a series of introductory projects using the LilyPad system. You’ll learn how to sew basic circuits to light up LEDs, control them with buttons and switches and even experiment with a pre-programmed LilyMini circuit that reacts to ambient light levels.
For ages 10 and up.
Purchase the Sewable Electronics Kit
Connecting Projects Online
SparkFun IoT Starter Kit with Blynk Board
Why we love it:
The SparkFun IoT Starter Kit with Blynk Board is a great way to gain a solid introduction to the world of Internet of Things (IoT) technology without any difficult programming. With this kit, you will be able to get your Blynk Board connected and, by utilizing the pre-loaded projects, use diverse set of components to build an array of web- and phone-connected projects.
For ages 10 and up.
Purchase the IoT Starter Kit
Citizen Science
Why we love it:
The SparkFun micro:climate kit is a great way to get your feet wet in high-grade sensors like our tried-and-true Weather Meters and Soil Moisture Sensor. Whether you’re an agriculturalist, a professional meteorologist or a hobbyist, you will be able to build a high-grade weather station powered by the micro:bit. You can even talk via wireless communication between two micro:bits with this kit to monitor the weather without being exposed to it!
For ages 9 and up.
Purchase the SparkFun micro:climate kit
Must have tools
Why we love it:
We’ve found our favorite, low-cost tools, and created a kit that we would give to our friends. While these tools might not be enough for more difficult, surface-mount type assembly, they should be just what you need for through-hole soldering, stripping wires, and much more!
For ages 11 and up.
Purchase the Beginner Tool Kit