Spangler Science Club

What's in the box: A typical kit holds the materials and simple step-by-step instructions for a set of hands-on science experiments built around one theme.

Spangler Science Club comes from Steve Spangler Science, a brand that has spent more than 30 years making hands-on science kits and is behind products like Insta Snow and the Geyser Tube. The club is the brand's subscription offering. It sends kids themed experiment kits with simple instructions and the materials needed to run each activity at home. The brand's approach is strong. Its experiments are visual and memorable, and its stated goal is to teach children to think like scientists rather than just follow steps. The big caution right now is how you buy. The Steve Spangler Science website says you can no longer check out there and sends shoppers to Really Good Stuff and Amazon instead. Spangler Science Club still appears in the site navigation, but the homepage does not explain how to start or manage a subscription under this new setup. Before signing up, ask customer support whether the club is actually available and how billing and deliveries now work. The site lists phone and email support, but its footer shows two different sets of hours in two time zones, which suggests the business is still in transition. If you can get a current subscription, it is a reasonable pick for families who want exciting science at home. If not, the brand's individual kits are still sold through retailers.