{{Short description|Children's electronic kit}} thumb|alt=AM radio|An AM radio made from a Snap Circuits kit '''Snap Circuits''' is a line of electronic kits manufactured by Elenco Electronics and aimed at children eight years and older.<ref name=schoolhouse/> The kits come in a variety of sizes, and may include capacitors, diodes, electric motors, lamps, LEDs, radios, electromagnets, speakers, resistors, transformers, transistors and voltmeters. The kits contain a plastic baseboard into which the various components and wires can be snapped to easily create a working circuit.<ref name="geekdad">Mills, Joey L. (16 March 2016). [https://geekdad.com/2016/03/snap-circuits-teach-electricity/ Snap Circuits Uses Construction to Teach Electricity Basics], ''GeekDad''</ref> Snap Circuits was first released in 2002.<ref name="anb1media">(January 2022). [https://www.anbmedia.com/news/2022/01/elenco-is-positively-charged-for-a-snap-circuits-celebrations-in-2022/ Elenco is Positively Charged for Snap Circuits Celebrations in 2022], ''ANB Media''</ref>
Snap Circuits has been praised for exposing young children to elementary engineering concepts.<ref name=schoolhouse/><ref name=quirky/><ref name="radar1">(10 December 2019). [https://www.undertheradarmag.com/blog/under_the_radars_holiday_gift_guide_2019_part_8_toys Under the Radar's Holiday Gift Guide 2019 Part 8: Toys], ''Under the Radar'' ("A goldmine for STEM learning expertly disguised as a plaything,")</ref> A related line entitled Snap Circuits Jr. is geared towards younger children.<ref name="younger">(12 May 2022). [https://www.kxnet.com/reviews/br/toys-games-br/best-toys-for-7-year-olds/ Best toys for 7-year-olds], ''KX Television''</ref> The different sets are all compatible with each other so you can combine sets and the company sells "upgrade" sets as well.<ref name="insider-best">{{Cite web |title=The best educational toys for kids |author=Kara Kamenec |work=Insider |date=3 April 2020 |access-date=13 June 2022 |url= https://www.insider.com/guides/parenting/best-educational-toys#the-best-educational-toy-for-learning-about-electricity-2 }}</ref>
Elenco was founded in 1972 and originally developed products for the testing of electronic equipment. It later developed educational materials for schools to provide hands-on experience in electronics building. A toy division was created in the late 1990s, and Snap Circuits, first released in 2002, soon grew in popularity. By 2015, Snap Circuits were among Amazon's Top 20 best selling toys.<ref name="qzone">Purdy, Chase (31 December 2015). [https://qz.com/584103/a-tiny-electronics-company-makes-some-of-the-most-popular-toys-on-amazon/ A tiny electronics company makes some of the most popular toys on Amazon], ''Quartz''</ref><ref name="anb1media"/> As of 2020, Snap Circuits have won more than 30 awards by different toy and industry groups.<ref name="insider-best" />
==References== <references>
<ref name=schoolhouse> {{cite web |url=http://thehomeschoolmagazine.com/Homeschool_Reviews/reviews.php?rid=526 |title=Electronic Snap Circuits |work=The Old Schoolhouse Magazine |first=Anne Margaret|last=Wright |date=n.d. |accessdate=29 August 2013 }} </ref> <ref name=quirky> {{cite web |url=https://quirkyfusion.com/snap-circuits-review/ |title=Snap Circuits review |author=Christy |date=25 November 2012 |accessdate=29 August 2013 |work=Quirky Tech It concludes of 125 different activities }} </ref>
</references>
Category:Electronic toys Category:Electronic kit manufacturers Category:Educational toys Category:Construction toys
{{toy-stub}}