We're inching closer to Thanksgiving, which means it's about time to start thinking about holiday gifts. This year, you can give your kids the gift of science with fully immersive VR experiments.
Two of the coolest gifts for science or space-obsessed kids are Bill Nye's Virtual Reality Science Kit ($60) and Professor Maxwell's VR Universe ($50). Both science-based virtual reality experiences include VR goggles and a free mobile app that can be used on any smartphone to make kids feel like they're floating in deep space or are exploring rocky caves, volcanoes, or waterfalls.
Bill Nye's VR Science Kit
Bill Nye (the Science Guy)'s kit lets kids join Bill in his virtual reality science lab. The kit includes an 80-page book that can be brought to life through the VR goggles, which teaches 30 step-by-step science projects.
Kids will learn chemistry, biology, and physics through experiments that help them "tattoo" an egg, create a lemon battery, or make their own speakers. They'll learn about scientific principles like density, oxidation, and chemical reactions and be able to follow along with Bill Nye as he walks them through all 30 experiments (with all the materials they'll need included in the 50 piece set).
In addition to the hands-on experiments, kids will get to watch 185 VR and AR experiences, not only in Bill Nye's lab but also in volcanoes, waterfalls, icy rocks, and caves.
Professor Maxwell's VR Universe
And for kids who are in love with space, Professor Maxwell's VR Universe is the ultimate immersive experience. Like the Bill Nye kit, this VR science kit also includes hands-on experiments and play. The 21 piece set includes materials kids will need for 31 projects, including space-related games, experiments, and crafts.
Kids will learn about Earth's layers and be able to model them out of clay, they'll be able to explore how craters are created with moon dough and rocks that simulate asteroids and meteorites, and to build a compass to explore magnetic fields and a sun dial to learn about the sun's rotation.
The VR goggles in Professor Maxwell's kit brings pictures from the 80-page activity book to life, letting kids get a 360-degree view of the sun, for example. The goggles also allow kids to feel as if they're astronauts in space, exploring Earth, our solar system, our galaxy, and other parts of the universe. They'll get to drive a rover on Mars, see eclipses, and hold the Earth in their hands.
If you're still looking for the best toys for the little science-lovers in your life, be sure to check out our best space gifts for kids buying guide.
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