Hobbies And Interests
Identification
Snap Circuits are electric circuit activity kits made by the Elenco Company. The battery-powered kits teach children the fundamentals of electric circuits by allowing them to conduct a single project or several projects. There are several kits available, ranging in cost from $15.95 to $199.95. The kits are designed for children 8 years and older.
How the Kits Work
Snap Circuit kits allow children to create electric circuits without using solder. The kits contain specialized versions of all of the components that are used in regular circuits, including capacitors, resistors, transistors, diodes and wires. The parts are designed so that they snap together. Each kit comes with painstakingly detailed directions that teach children about the workings of the circuits while ensuring their safety.
Types of Kits
Each kit creates a different interactive, electronic toy. The least expensive and simplest kits (at $15.95) are the Space Battle, Music Box and Flying Saucer kits. At $22.95 each, the Motion Detector, Musical Recorder and FM Radio are slightly more complex kits. Snap Circuits also manufactures some 300-in-1 ($63.95) and 100-in-1 junior sets ($31.95) that allow the user to make several projects. Some of the more expensive kits in the toy line are 750-in-1 kits ($129.95) and 500-in-1 kits ($114.95). All prices listed are as of 2011.
Warnings and Safety Precautions
There are several common safety warnings that all users of Snap Circuits should be aware of. Some kits contain moving parts, such as fans and motors. These parts should never be touched while in operation. Snap Circuit parts should never be plugged into any household outlet for any reason. All of the kits contain small parts that could pose a choking hazard to children under 3 years old. The wiring of the assembled project should always be checked before operating. Make sure that the batteries are installed correctly as well.