Discovery Kits
Meet Our Discovery Kits! In 2016, the Youth Services Department received a grant from IEEE, Chicago Section to create a new collection of circulating STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) materials. We call our collection Discovery Kits, and they'll allow you and your child to learn, play, and discover all sorts of things. Whether it's learning math from playing Free Range Fractions to building while learning about shapes, Discovery Kits are a fun way to expand your knowledge at home.
Discovery Kits empower kids to see themselves as scientists, engineers, creators, and makers. Inspired by both STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) and the Maker Movement, each Discovery Kit includes a hands-on-experience to encourage curiosity, learning, and experimentation.
Magna Tiles
Great for kids ages 2 and older.
Build anything you can imagine with these magnetic tiles.
Explore the Magna Tiles Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Build with Dado
Great for kids ages 3 and older.
Build with these cubes and squares by sliding them together at the notches.
Explore the Build with Dado Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Design and Drill
Great for kids ages 3 and older.
Use battery-operated tools to make patterns on cards. Great for improving fine-motor skills!
Explore the Design and Drill Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Insectmania
Great for kids ages 3 and older.
Get an up-close look at real insects.
Explore the Insectmania Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Measuring Length
Great for kids ages 3 and older.
Learn how to measure in a fun, visual way.
Explore the Measuring Length Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Bee-Bot
Great for kids ages 4 and older.
Learn sequencing, counting, estimation, and problem solving.
Explore the Bee-Bot Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Cubelets Six
Great for kids ages 4 and older.
Learn by building robots with these magnetic cubes.
Explore the Cubelets Six Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Cubelets Twelve
Great for kids ages 4 and older.
Learn by building robots with these magnetic cubes--and explore Bluetooth too!
Explore the Cubelets Twelve Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Gears
Great for kids ages 4 and older.
Snap Gears pieces together to create a moveable jungle. Meanwhile, kids learn about cause and effect and engineering fundamentals.
Explore the Gears Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Goldie Blox and the Dunk Tank
Great for kids ages 4 and older.
Use this kit to help Goldie and her friends build a dunk tank, and learn more about basic engineering.
Explore the Goldie Blox and the Dunk Tank Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Goldie Blox and the Spinning Machine
Great for kids ages 4 and older.
Use this kit to help Goldie and her friends build a spinning machine, and learn more about basic engineering.
Explore the Goldie Blox and the Spinning Machine Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Measuring Volume and Mass
Great for kids ages 4 and older.
Learn about volume and mass with measuring tools and a bucket balance.
Explore the Measuring Volume and Mass Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Simple Machines and Force and Motion
Great for kids ages 4 and older.
Explore simple machines and physics basics with this fun kit.
Explore the Simple Machines and Force and Motion Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Botley
Great for kids ages 5 and older.
Learn the basics of sequence programming with Botley.
Explore the Botley Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Brainiac
Great for kids ages 5 and older.
Learn more about your brain, then give it some exercise by playing some games.
Explore the Brainiac Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Engineering Ants
Great for kids ages 5 and older.
Play a cooperative building game that lets kids use engineering to create solutions to obstacles.
Explore the Engineering Ants Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Basic Math
Great for kids ages 6 and older.
Have fun playing Free Range Fractions and Math Dice Jr.
Explore the Basic Math Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Human Torso
Great for kids ages 6 and older.
Put all the organs back in the right spot and learn biology with this kit.
Explore the Human Torso Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
KEVA Contraptions
Great for kids ages 6 and older.
Use KEVA Contraptions to build action-packed structures.
Explore the KEVA Contraptions Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Snap Circuits Jr.
Great for kids ages 6 and older.
Learn about electronics by snapping together projects.
Explore the Snap Circuits Jr. Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Stomp Rocket
Great for kids ages 6 and older.
Have fun launching foam rockets while learning physics.
Explore the Stomp Rocket Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Math Games
Great for kids ages 7 and older.
Play fun math games and practice your skills.
Explore the Math Games Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Code Master
Great for kids ages 8 and older.
This fun one-player game uses programming logic to move around the game board.
Explore the Code Master Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
littleBits
Great for kids ages 8 and older.
Use littleBits to start designing and prototyping your own inventions.
Explore the littleBits Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Makey Makey
Great for kids ages 8 and older.
Use Makey Makey to turn everyday objects into touchpads and combine them with the internet for endless fun.
Explore the Makey Makey Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Snap Circuits Alternative Energy Green
Great for kids ages 8 and older.
Learn about green energy options while making 125 different projects.
Explore the Snap Circuits Alternative Energy Green Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Snap Rover
Great for kids ages 8 and older.
Build a remote control space vehicle by snapping together building pieces-and learning about electronics along the way.
Explore the Snap Rover Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.
Microsope
Great for kids ages 9 and older.
Use this microscope to magnify and explore the world around you.
Explore the Microscope Discovery Kit Guide to learn more about the activities you can do and fun links to explore.