If you have a child who is interested in science, and loves to figure out how things work, here's a great tip!! It's called Elenco Snap Circuits SC-300. It will supply hours of fun, and it's educational as well.

The SC-300 is designed to teach the value of electronic components and instigate independent thinking. The kit contains over 60 parts and lets you build over 300 electronic devices. The projects range from fast simple ones (can get a light bulb and a switch going in a minute or so) to more elaborate, more interesting ones (we actually built a working AM radio).

The kit promotes a clear and logical way of thinking. You can't just throw things together and expect it to work. You must read the instructions and construct the kit and circuits as prescribed. For students who are already learning about electronics in school, this set creates a hands-on experience that makes for more fun than reading in a textbook about how these things work. Higher report card grades will reflect this enhanced learning experience.

The included instruction manual offers 305 projects ranging from a simple light switch to a noise-activated burglar alarm, from AM and FM radios to digital voice recorders, doorbells, and much more. Plenty of projects to keep the kids occupied on rainy summer days. The projects are super cool and educational.

The two large manuals included with the SC-300 kit are perhaps the best manuals I've seen for anything I've ever purchased. They lay out all the projects possible with the kit and also the principles that govern how the projects work. I am impressed by the progression of difficulty and skill level in the instruction manuals.

The electronics of the kit come attached to thick slabs of plastic which have spring-loaded button-snap connectors (as found on clothing) on the backside. Each piece is clearly marked, especially so for those electronics that attach in one specific current direction. The kit should last for a long time. To operate, you simply snap the electronic elements onto the plastic grid, and then connect them together with wire pieces that snap easily into place.

With the kit, you get a plastic "circuit board" and over 60 pieces including: a nice range of resistors, capacitors, ICs, and special function electronics, including photo sensors, speakers, sound sensors, motors, microphones, wire, speaker, battery holder, motor fan, red led, and lamp module, etc. It's definitely a good mix of electronics.

Elenco's new Snap Circuits makes learning electronics easy and fun! Everyone gets involved - children, college kids, and adults - they all love this. It's a great gift for a child (or adult) who loves to tinker with things and to understand how things work and why. Unquestionably, this is absolutely one of the best gifts you can get a 7-12 year old.