I bought this about three years ago to teach my three kids about electronics. It's a fantastic kit. I was amazed at what they were able to learn from it. They experiment all the time with it.

The construction is very sturdy (my kids are rough!), except for two wires with snaps at each end. They should put extras of them in the kit, since everything HAS to snap together (there are no ways to connect bare wire to anything). I recommend getting some small alligator clip wires to go with it.

Lead is almost no problem at all with this kit. Almost all electronics has lead in the soldering joints. Nearly every soldered joint on this kit is protected by the plastic. The only exposed lead I could find was at the base of two tiny light bulbs included. The recommended minimum age limit is eight and up. Unless you have an eight year old who is likely to stick the light bulbs in their mouth, there really is almost no danger.

The only problem I have with it from a learning standpoint is that the documentation doesn't include any instruction of how the actual components work at the atomic (electronic) level. The lessons are all "cause and effect," without much explanation of what actually happens inside a transistor, capacitor, coil, etc. All you really get for the most part is "This is what happens when you connect this to that, and do this."

If you want to really learn WHY it happens, get a good electronics book.

This is a great kit to explore a child's interest in electronics, and test whether it's actually worth getting a more depth texts, many of which cost more than this kit!

Overall, a VERY good starter kit for the price.

A nice and artistic way of presenting an electronic circuit in 3D perspective. It's just amazing how many experiments can be build around these blocks (even FM reception). The manual lacks educational background, but apart from this, I think this is a real cool project kit for young and old.

[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]

This is as much fun as the old one I grew up with, and still have, with spring clips and wire. The lead contained in this product is most likely from any soldered parts, which they must warn you about by law. Most parts are encased with plastic. And most modern solder doesn't contain much or any lead. Unless your child is eating the parts, I wouldn't be too concerned about it. More than likely your child will get more lead exposure from their environment than from this. Still I have to agree, you should wash your hands before eating. But, all in all, just have fun.

I bought this to learn a few things about electronics. The 'computer interface' is what I was most interested in. Sadly, the interface is a pair of alligator clips allowing use of the computer's microphone input, in order to use software emulating an oscilloscope. Still useful, but I was hoping for a serial interface.

It should teach me what I hope to learn though, and in a fun manner.

My 7 year old son loves all things scientific, and really loves this kit. I was somewhat skeptical when my husband suggested it, thinking he was too young, but I was proven wrong. We got the 101 kit, and he plays with it all the time. The 5 yr old sister, all the way to the 14 year old cousin have had fun making projects together. They're learning without realizing it... the very best way! I highly recommend this.

[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]

This kit was a great investment because our kids of various ages get something out of it. We use it on family game night; we divide into teams and make a contest out of who can build the coolest project in 15 minutes. The kit teaches many things: planning & organizational skills, attention to detail, problem solving, patience, cooperation, perseverance, etc. Plus the concepts behind electrical circuits and their components. Playing with this kit has also encouraged the kids to be curious about how things in the real world work. The only complaint we have is that the computer software & mic cord connection never worked. We tried it on three different computers. That was one whole book of experiments that we never got to use. Definately not for families with children under 3 because of all the small parts. Otherwise, this is a great kit that every family should have.

AMAZING TOY, VERY EDUCATIONAL IN ELECTRONICS!

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

My sons favorite gift on his 6th birthday!! First night, he went through several of the projects in the easy manual.

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

Excellent kit. It is very easy to use for an 8 year old. Projects are really fun. The best thing of all is that it comes with a way to turn your computer into an oscilliscope. Professional software is available to do this for hundreds of dollars, yet this incredible set has it included. Not only that, but the instruction manual is bright and very colorful, quite an improvement from just a few years ago.

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

I purchased the 303 Snap Kit for my 8 year old daughter. When I was growing up, I received a Radio Shack "300 in 1" Electronics kit with the jumper wires. While the concepts are the same, the design has evolved into a much better product. The manuals are very good, along with the quality and variety of components. I would definitely recommend the kit for children 8 and up. It is OK for younger children (with adult supervision). My 11 year old son also enjoys the kit. Here is what my daughter had to say about the 303 Snap Kit: "It is easy to snap the parts together. It is neat because the parts are made on the pieces (you don't have to make them--just snap them together). The manuals are color-coded, and they show the circuit 'shapes' and 'layers.' I think other kids would enjoy it, especially if they read the manual (my daughter's words!). The manual shows 'do's and don'ts."

[2 of 2 customers found this review helpful]

My six year old Son received this as a birthday gift(which was the largest kit made) and he loves it! He's eight. He's made some pretty wild projects (which are clearly shown how to on each page of the instruction manuals) since he's had it! The one thing I would recommend to the folks who purchase this Kit is to have a fine point marker on hand. There's plastic trays that hold every piece in place when you first open the Kit so when you go to put them away I found it's time efficient to use the marker to write the number that's printed on each electronic piece in the slots that they came out of (Q1, Q2, R1, R2 etc) so you're not trying to figure out where exactly they belong. It makes it easier for him to put everything back as well. The grid where you snap the electronic parts onto is clear plastic so I had also used the fine point marker to write over the raised Numbers and Letters to make them more visable when corresponding the layout from the manuals to the grid. No complaints from this end! It's loaded with fun, learning projects! I enjoy helping to build them various projects myself! An excellant "constructive" gift idea!

awesome toy great toy, very educational a must have

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

My 7-year old started playing with this as soon as he got it and has continued to work with it for two years since. I'm using it now to test out what I've learned from study, before I go buy a breadboard kit. This is definitely a great product.

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

I am a student and I received this kit for Christmas and was impressed with it; however there are a few drawbacks. For example it does not allow you to attach 12-pin ICs to it and it comes with only a small amount of information on what the pieces do separately. It also only gives a brief amount of detail on how some of the more complicated projects work. Overall it is a nice educational kit, but for those who are looking into electronics as a career would be better off with a breadboard kit.

Looking for moving your kid away from videogames? Look no further. First thing the game has an excellent finish, everything snap easy and the manuals ar clear and accurate. My 12 yr. old only needed help with the first project and has played a lot since them. It is fun and educational.

Both my seven-year-old (with my help) and my 12-year-old (without) enjoy this kit. I find myself exploring with it too. There is something about the separate, snapable parts -- parts that you can hold in your hand and won't break -- that helps kids learn. The separate part are also easily replaced. I haven't had to buy replacement parts but they are very reasonably priced (the most expensive at the time I am writing this is I think $2.39 for the IC chips). A great product.

My ten year-old son got this for Christmas from his Grandfather. He absolutely loves it. His exact words were, "my Papa Nick sure knows gifts!" He runs around to show everyone all thing different things he has built. A great educational toy that doesn't "feel" educational. Even to a kid with a PS2. Awesome.

Great set! The first day I got it, I was up till twelve thirty playing with it. It is very easy, and teaches a ton of skills, through simple expiriments.