Large‑scale model of NASA's Apollo Saturn V rocket with detachable stages and lunar module; educational display set for space fans.

I revisited the Saturn V (21309) this month and it still delivers one of the best LEGO build experiences around. The 1:110 scale rocket stands just over a meter tall, and each stage separates exactly like the real vehicle—complete with the lunar module and command module tucked inside. The Technic core keeps the tower strong while SNOT techniques round out the iconic black-and-white livery, so you get both structural integrity and display accuracy. I display mine on the included stands horizontally, but it also looks phenomenal towering vertically in a corner. Build time was about eight relaxed hours; the repetitive booster segments are meditative and the payload section remains a highlight. It’s pricey on the secondary market, yet if you’re a space nerd, the build quality and display presence make it worth tracking down.

LEGO NASA Apollo Saturn V 1:110 Scale Model 21309 Set

LEGO 21309 NASA Apollo Saturn V

LEGO Ideas set 21327 recreates a 1950s-style typewriter with functional keys, moving carriage, and a printable letter from the LEGO Group.

I finally built the LEGO Ideas Typewriter this fall and it easily earns a spot among my favorite display sets. The Technic core under the retro shell is a marvel—each key triggers a hammer and advances the carriage just enough to feel satisfying without jamming. The ribbon spools, sliding platen, and paper return lever all work, so dropping in the included letter from The LEGO Group feels authentic. It’s a lengthy build (about 12 hours across a weekend) with repetitive key assemblies, but the payoff when you test the mechanism is worth it. I added my own printed stationery and tucked an Easter egg message under the carriage; visitors can’t resist tapping out a few characters. The price is steep and the finished model is more for display than play, yet as an AFOL showpiece it’s outstanding.

LEGO Ideas Typewriter 21327 with Functional Keys Set

LEGO Ideas Typewriter

An expanded electronics learning kit with 130 experiments that teach advanced circuit concepts including oscillators, amplifiers, digital logic, and integrated circuits through hands-on projects without soldering.

The Elenco 130-in-1 Electronic Playground is the big brother to the 60-in-One kit, and it's worth the upgrade if you want to go deeper into electronics. With 130 experiments covering everything from basic LED circuits to digital logic gates, oscillators, and integrated circuits, this kit bridges the gap between beginner electronics and more advanced concepts. The spring-based connection system remains foolproof—no soldering means kids can experiment freely without fear of breaking components or creating cold joints. What impressed me most was how the experiments build complexity: you start with simple resistor networks and progress through transistor amplifiers, timing circuits, and even basic digital logic. The manual does an excellent job explaining not just what each component does, but how they work together to create functional circuits. By experiment 50, my daughter was understanding concepts like voltage dividers and RC timing that I didn't learn until college. The included ICs (555 timers, op-amps, logic gates) open up a whole new world of possibilities, and the experiments show practical applications like light sensors, sound generators, and even a simple digital counter. For serious young makers who've outgrown simpler kits, this is the perfect next step.

Advanced electronics kit with 130 experiments teaching circuits, digital logic, and integrated circuits. Spring-based connections, no soldering required.

Elenco 130-in-1 Electronic Playground Learning Center

Elenco 130-in-1 Electronic Playground and Learning Center

A hands-on electronics learning kit with 60 experiments that teach kids the fundamentals of circuits, resistors, capacitors, transistors, and more through interactive projects without soldering.

The Elenco Electronic Playground 60-in-One is exactly the kind of hands-on learning tool I wish I'd had as a kid. My daughter spent hours working through the experiments, and I was impressed by how well it bridges the gap between abstract electronics concepts and tangible results. The spring-based connection system means no soldering, no breadboards, and no frustration—just snap components together and watch LEDs light up, buzzers sound, and motors spin. The manual walks through each experiment step-by-step, explaining what each component does and why the circuit works. By experiment 20, she was already understanding how resistors limit current, capacitors store charge, and transistors amplify signals. The included components are durable enough to survive curious hands, and the experiments progress logically from simple LED circuits to more complex oscillator and amplifier projects. For under thirty bucks, you get a complete electronics education that's actually fun—perfect for kids who want to understand how the gadgets they use every day actually work.

Electronics learning kit with 60 experiments teaching circuits, resistors, capacitors, and transistors. Spring-based connections, no soldering required.

Elenco Electronic Playground 60-in-One Experiments Kit

Elenco Electronic Playground 60-in-One Experiments

Elegoo’s V4.0 Arduino-based smart car kit bundles ultrasonic, IR, Bluetooth, and FPV Wi-Fi sensors with keyed wiring, a 2000mAh Li-ion pack, and step-by-step tutorials for hands-on robotics STEM projects.

We rebuilt the Elegoo V4.0 kit this summer and it’s still the quickest way to teach sensors plus Arduino basics. The new keyed wiring harness meant my kids could plug everything in without soldering, and the illustrated manual walks through each stage from chassis assembly to ultrasonic obstacle avoidance. After running the stock line-following demo we extended it with Bluetooth control via the Elegoo app and a custom MQTT sketch so it could stream distance readings back to my home lab. The included 2000mAh lithium pack powers roughly two hours of line tracking; we swapped to high-capacity cells for longer rover missions and filed the acrylic edges for comfort. For under sixty bucks you get motors with encoders, IR tracking, ultrasonic ranging, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi FPV, and an Arduino-compatible brain—perfect for a weekend STEM build.

Arduino-based robot car kit with ultrasonic, IR, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi FPV sensors. Keyed connectors eliminate soldering, perfect for STEM robotics projects.

Elegoo Smart Robot Car Kit with Arduino and Sensors

Elegoo Smart Robot Car Kit

STEM building sets and electronics kits we've used for learning and projects. Educational and fun for all skill levels. Find 5 products with detailed reviews, p

STEM Products

LEGO 21309 NASA Apollo Saturn V

LEGO Ideas Typewriter

Elenco 130-in-1 Electronic Playground and Learning Center

Elenco Electronic Playground 60-in-One Experiments

Elegoo Smart Robot Car Kit