For your older child who would like to learn electronics, we have found what we think is the best at-home course currently available. Similar to sets that used to be readily available at electronics stores, the 500-in-1 Electronic Lab is by far the superstar of them all.

As the name implies, there are over 500 electronic experiments in a wide range of topics ranging from special lighting effects to radio transmitter and receivers, electronic sound effects, even simple computer programming. Using a built-in breadboard for easy wiring and connection of components and an LCD to indicate information during the experiment in process, your child will build knowledge by exploring analog and digital circuits and learn how to read schematic diagrams.

Kit includes three of what the supplier terms as easy-to-read, illustrated, lab-style manuals. They are illustrated, and the text is friendly and personal, but I would hesitate to label them easy. I suppose that a lot will depend on your background, but initially you should plan to spend some introductory time with any child new to electronics.

The first book, the entry course, is an introduction to familiarize your child with the basics of electronics. It has over 250 experiments pertaining to both analog and digital circuits. Book 2, the advanced course, will increase the depth of his understanding of analog and digital circuits with over 140 additional experiments.
Book 3 is the programming course, wherein your child will learn the fundamentals of computer programming.

Do you, like us, think that knowing electronics is an essential, not optional, skill for our sons? (I suppose my gender bias is showing.) In this fast-paced, electronics-driven world it is no longer enough to learn
the basics of electronics. You need to know how to put this knowledge to work, and 500-in-1 Electronic Lab will give you that necessary information. If your child does not share your enthusiasm for electronics,
we suggest starting this program when your son is a young teen so that he will be able to complete all the experiments without the pressure of time.

There is no soldering required and everything is battery powered. This is an extremely complex course, suggested for children ten and older, but I probably wouldn't even
consider it for any child younger than twelve.

Requires six "AA" batteries, not included.