Thames & Kosmos have been making hands-on science and STEM kits since 1999, and they remain one of the most respected names in educational toys. Based in the US but widely available in the UK, their kits are designed to teach real scientific concepts through genuine experimentation – not just following steps, but understanding why things happen.
What sets Thames & Kosmos apart is the quality of their instruction manuals and the curriculum relevance of their experiments. Every kit comes with a proper experiment guide, and most cover topics that map directly onto the UK National Curriculum from EYFS right through to KS4. We currently stock six Thames & Kosmos kits, covering everything from a child’s first chemistry experiments to renewable energy engineering.
Kids First Science Kit – Chemistry – £48.26
Stage: EYFS / KS1 | Subject: Science
A gentle introduction to chemistry for young children, designed so that no reading is required – just picture-guide instructions. Safe, simple experiments explore reactions, mixtures and materials in a way that sparks curiosity without overwhelming. Perfect as a first science kit for Reception or Year 1 children.
Curriculum link: Supports EYFS/KS1 – Science: First Chemistry and Materials Exploration
Kids First Robot Pet Shop – £29.99
Stage: KS1 / KS2 | Subject: Science / Computing
Build and programme a collection of robotic animal companions through beginner-friendly construction steps. The kit introduces coding concepts, robotics and design thinking through hands-on play – making abstract ideas like sequences and control feel tangible for younger learners. A brilliant entry point into the world of robotics.
Curriculum link: Supports KS1/KS2 – Science: Coding, Robotics and Design Technology
Simple Machines STEM Kit – £33.32
Stage: KS2 / KS3 | Subject: Science / Design Technology
Explore all six types of simple machines through 26 hands-on experiments. Build levers, pulleys, wheels, ramps, screws and wedges to understand how forces work in the real world. The experiments connect directly to the KS2 and KS3 forces curriculum, making this one of the most curriculum-relevant kits Thames & Kosmos produce.
Curriculum link: Supports KS2/KS3 – Design Technology: Forces, Mechanisms and Engineering
Biology: Genetics and DNA Science Kit – £34.99
Stage: KS3 | Subject: Science (Biology)
A hands-on exploration of one of the most fascinating areas of KS3 biology. Students extract real DNA, investigate inheritance patterns and explore genetic concepts through practical experiments – the kind of activity that makes abstract textbook content suddenly click. Ideal for any KS3 student studying genetics or heredity.
Curriculum link: Supports KS3 – Science: Genetics, Heredity and DNA Structure
Motors & Generators Science Kit – £32.52
Stage: KS3 / KS4 | Subject: Science (Physics)
Build real working motors and generators to understand electromagnetism from the inside out. The kit covers electricity generation, magnetic fields and energy transfer – topics that appear directly in the KS3 and KS4 physics curriculum. For students who learn best by building, this is hard to beat.
Curriculum link: Supports KS3/KS4 – Science: Electricity, Magnetism and Energy Transfer
Green Engineering STEM Kit – £77.89
Stage: KS3 / KS4 | Subject: Science / Engineering
Twenty-five experiments exploring solar, wind and water power make this one of the most comprehensive renewable energy kits available. Students develop engineering thinking alongside environmental awareness – ideal for older learners interested in climate science and sustainability. The Green Engineering kit is Thames & Kosmos at their most ambitious.
Curriculum link: Supports KS3/KS4 – Science: Renewable Energy and Environmental Engineering
Why Thames & Kosmos?
What unites the Thames & Kosmos range is a commitment to real science over toy science. Their kits don’t just look impressive on a shelf – they teach. The instruction manuals are detailed, the experiments are genuine, and the curriculum links are built in rather than retrofitted. From a child’s first chemistry kit to a GCSE-level engineering project, Thames & Kosmos have something for every stage of the science journey.