Being a grown up doesn’t mean you have to give up your toy box, right? Here is our top pick of the best science toys. 

Knuckling down with a tricky puzzle or piecing together a complex science toy can be a rewarding and joyful experience. We’ve become quite accustomed to entertaining ourselves at home, but let’s face it, there are only so many banana breads an individual can make, and eat, so spending an afternoon with a new science toy is a great way to spend a quiet few hours.

Our list of the best science toys ranges from crafty and practical tools you can build yourself to educational science toys for children to enjoy.

Whichever area of science you’re passionate about, whether it’s physics, astronomy, or perhaps you are an avid Star Wars fan, our top pick of science toys are sure to keep you busy. 

This is one that your kids can construct themselves, which is always handy if you want to keep them distracted for longer periods.

There are 405 pieces so this is ideal for older kids, from around 8 to 14, who are keen to have a go at a more complex design. The kit comes with step-by-step instructions for children to follow and once complete, the robot is ready for action.

There are two ways to control the robot. The remote controller allows you to move the toy forward, backward, left and right but if you fancy more advanced movements, and why wouldn’t you, you can opt for the smartphone app which connects via Bluetooth. This enables a voice control setting as well as a gyro mode, so you can tilt your phone in order to control the robot’s movements.

There is also the option of programming the robot by piecing various actions together to create a sequence of movements, so you’re spoilt for choice when it comes to deciding how to control this gadget.

If you want the enjoyment of using a telescope as well as the satisfaction of knowing you’ve built it yourself, this could be the science toy for you.

You can build your own telescope without the faff of having to use glue or buy batteries because the kit consists of cardboard pieces that slot together. The telescope features a glass optic lens with 16x magnification as well as an angle finder, a built-in spotting sight and a safety lens cap.

If you get in a bit of a pickle with the instructions, there is also an instruction video available online that explains the building process. 

Another science toy you can build yourself, this calendar 3D puzzle would make a lovely desk accessory.

There are 32 wooden pieces for you to put together to create the end result and it should take around one to two hours, so a nice way to spend a rainy afternoon. Once completed, you can manually set the year and the month to find out the correct day of the week, or you can look for future dates or dip into the past if you are attempting to settle an argument about a specific event that happened on a certain date.

While we may have smartphones and calendars that already share this information with us in a matter of seconds, there is something satisfying about the turning and locking of different parts of the cog. 

Whether you’re a Star Wars fan or not, it’s hard to deny how cute this guy is.

We love the intricate detail of this desk accessory. This toy from Royal Selangor is also more useful than it may appear as it is an airtight canister that can be used to store goods such as tea and coffee.