Many of us who grew up in the sixties and seventies (and probably earlier too) might remember putting together a crystal radio kit. I remember my first one- from a Radio Shack kit when I was 10 years old back in 1980. It was one of the few Christmas presents I specifically remember asking for. It was on a plastic and cardboard base with spring terminals, some wires, the crystal and a small ear piece speaker. To this day I remember the thrill of making an AM radio work without batteries, and the excitement when I first heard an actual radio station.

Well, I don’t know if Radio Shack still makes their crystal radio kit, but Slinky Science Kits now have this one. It is very similar to the one I put together almost 30 years ago and just playing with this one was a real blast from the past for me. If you’re thinking about introducing your child to this neat topic that was the forerunner to the transistor radio, you can’t go wrong with this kit. This is one of the more educational toys you can get for under $10. Recommended for ages 8 and up, this is a pretty solid kit and will actually entertain and educate for kids u    p to about 12 years old. Unless of course, you want to relive a part of your past, I’d say it’s fun for all ages.

This radio kit was a previous winner of the Dr. Toy Best Classic Toys Award.