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9.7
Based on 0 reviews

About product

With 10 different missions laid out and supplies to complete them included, this National Geographic Spy Science Kit allows your child to experience the thrill of spy work. The periscope is perfect for secretly looking around corners, and they can look both forwards and backward at the same time using the reflective spy glasses. The instruction guide lays out the details of each mission and provides a history of spy work. This educational set is a fun and creative way for your kids to develop their organization and observation skills.

Pros

  • Includes invisible ink pen, UV light, and decoder wheel
  • Comes with required batteries
  • Suitable for children eight years old and up
  • Includes a notebook to track mission progress

Customer Reviews

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Customer Reviews

Excellent fossil samples. Family really enjoyed digging for them.

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Our 6 year old grandson loves his spy kit, & has completed several "missions" since Christmas. He's a kid that enjoys toys & activities that really spark his creativity, & the fun things like disappearing ink, see-behind-you glasses, & the periscope really intrigued him! Based on his reaction, I highly recommend this kit for bright, curious kids!

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Bought this for a gift my nephew loves it! It’s ver cute for a 6 year old present and I love how many items are included.

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My nephew just turned 6 and is having a blast being a spy agent !!He absolutely loved the kit..- all of it - the periscope to catch thieves. the invisible ink, UV light and scrambler to write us secret messages, and the rear view glasses. He now has an agent code and secret name too.Even as adults we loved them too and happily played agent with him all through the day.Would love more of the secret gadgets. Kids absolutely love them.

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My grandson loves playing with it. He wanted it ever since he saw it.

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Granddaughter loves it

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Got it for or sons birthday he loves it

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My 7 year old grandson was thrilled. Not too long after he opened it at Christmas he was spying around the corner at his cousins. He’s an active kid so it important to find a gift that he can use and inspires his imagination.

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Kid loved it.

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My grandson wanted this because some friends got it at the school’s book fair. They sold out. So enter grandmother. He loves it but was disappointed that there was no briefcase like is shown on the box. Otherwise - perfect.

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The periscope is blurry and doesn’t work. It’s a cute idea, but I didn’t find the set to be worth the money.

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This product is a disappointment. It is over packaged and very cheap quality. I do not recommend this toy

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9.5
Based on 0 reviews

About product

The waterproof dual coil of the National Geographic Junior Metal Detector ensures accuracy and can detect metal objects up to six inches deep, while the adjustable sensitivity helps to avoid false positives. Plus, the telescoping arm and padded arm strap are easy to adjust, making it suitable for kids of all sizes. For those looking for an educational as well as entertaining product, the learning guide that comes included will be invaluable. It provides in-depth information about metal detectors, how the coils work to detect metal underground, and other practical knowledge that is essential to any treasure hunting enthusiast.

Pros

  • Educational and encourages interest in STEM
  • Easy to store and take on-the-go
  • Collapsible and weighs less than 1.4 lbs
  • A great gift for both boys and girls

Customer Reviews

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Customer Reviews

We bought this for our 10 year old son for Christmas. He loved it, but we live in Maine so he wasn't really able to use it till spring cause of snow on the ground. Well this April it started acting weird and was overly sensitive to things and would beep even if pointed towards the sky!. We were bummed because he barely got to use it. It was difficult tracking down someone to talk to (Call centers are shut down a but during covid), but they emailed back and shipped us a new one free of charge. They were very easy to work with and very fast. This new one has been great and seems to be even better than the first one. I would recommend.

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This metal detector is AMAZING! My sister in law lost her engagement ring in the backyard playing stick with one of our dogs and we initially went out looking for it with our own eyes. After realizing we were looking for a needle in a haystack, I did some research and found this to be a reliable product to consider. This metal detector is extremely easy to use and also very accurate!!!! While it’s marketed as a junior detector, I’m 31 years old and it’s perfect! After 15 minutes of use in the backyard, we were able to find the engagement ring which was buried in the grass. AMAZING!!!! Would highly recommend for anyone who’s lost an important piece of jewelry in a particular area, or for anyone who wants to find treasures in the future :)

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The volume is very weak and the detector is useless in a setting with loud background noise like the beach. A cheap headphone jack would solve this problem.

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I bought this metal detector for my two kids, ages 6 & 9. Since outdoor activities and staying at home has become more favored during the pandemic-I wanted to get them a toy that was different and might hold their interest as well as possibly make us millions. This metal detector is easy to learn how to use-is light weight-and is adjustable so that my 6 year can use it and I can too. While we haven’t discovered anything of value...yet...it’s still fun to entertain the idea that maybe one day we will come across some kind of vintage diamond ring.

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Works as described

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My child was so happy to get a metal detector for her birthday but unfortunately it was a disappointment because the one we received doesn’t work.The item was easy to put together. I believe it would have been great of it worked.Unfortunately my child was not able to use it because it keeps making a constant noise. The manual has instructions on how to put it together and simple instructions on how to use it. But, nothing about if anything is wrong or troubleshooting, so originally we thought this noise was normal. I wasn’t able to find anything on this issue. We tried taking the batteries off and on and still the same..the sensitivity is at the lowest setting but the noise doesn’t go away. I’m guessing we got a faulty metal detector.

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This works very well and picks up everything from any metal (pipes, grills, nails in the fences) to pennies and the sound does not differentiate between them. So you might dig up a bottle top or you might dig up a penny. It works best in sandy areas.You cannot set the sensitivity very high because the sound will not stop so you are not going to go more than about 3 inches below ground if your wand is about an inch above ground. I have tried going to where there was no metal around for a couple of miles and still had the same problem.It is good to play with for kids. Throw some money, fake jewelry, or other trinkets in the grass and let me play Indiana Jones for awhile. I got about an hour of peace and quiet but it definitely is not worth $45.I would have returned it but by the time I figured out that I want to return it I had past the time allowed.

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My boys wanted to try out metal detecting and decided to use their holiday money on these. They seem to work great when tested around the house. Tried at the beach with no success yet but looking forward to getting out more with these

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I bought this device with the intention of getting out more and exercising by walking.Two years ago I lost a crossbow bolt in my back yard. I knew withing about 10 feet where is was but was not able to find it.Withing 2 minutes of searching the area this new detector found the bolt!It also detected two pieces of junk. One was a snipping of metal gutter that was down about4 inches under the grass roots. The other was an old drill bit I lost about 12 or more years ago.I'm sure I will have a lot of fun with this detector!Highly recommended.

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A mi hijo le encantó... Despierta su curiosidad e imaginación, el producto funciona a la perfección buen tamaño y es ideal para un niño y adulto.

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لم يعجبني ادائه

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Déçu ne détecte pas les métaux enterrés

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Purchased this for our grandson’s Christmas present. I will let you know if it is what he is looking for

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9.8
Based on 0 reviews

About product

National Geographic delivers a great toddler activity that encourages imagination, active playtime, and the development of gross motor skills with these colorful stepping stones. The unique foam formula is both durable and flexible, making this a reliable and long-lasting toy. The lightweight stones are soft to the touch and perfect for indoor or outdoor use. Use them to create fun obstacles and encourage your child’s creativity and growth.

Pros

  • Includes 10 brightly colored stones
  • Educational and encourages interest in STEM
  • Improves balance and coordination
  • Awarded the 2019 Toy of the Year Award

Customer Reviews

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Customer Reviews

Our 8, 6, and 2 year olds all have a blast with these! Lots of creative play options! Be careful when they come out of the box, as they were incredibly slippery, and left a slippery residue on our wood floor.

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Great product that can be used in many ways for creative play. As mentioned, these slip quite a bit out of the box, but can easily be improved by placing Rug Gripper Tape along the bottom of the stepping stones. This eliminated the slip and made it much more enjoyable for play. Highly recommended with the supplemental purchase.

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I got these Nat Geo Stepping Stones for my 3 y/o grandson and he couldn't be happier! These colorful stones have turned playtime into an exciting adventure. The foam material is soft and safe and he loves jumping from stone to stone (trying not to fall into the hot lava). My DIL is a physical therapist and said it encourages kids to be active while improving their balance and coordination. They are lightweight and easy to store, which is a bonus. Highly recommend them to any parent (or grandparent) looking for a great way to engage little ones.

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We got a set of these "on sale" for $40. Just for reference, that means each cow-patty shaped piece of foam costs $4, which IMO is outrageous. They've held up under at least a dozen hours of play and the kid likes them.

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Great colors, texture and size. Our 2 year old loves them. *Be warned, slippery when on carpet!

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The stones were soft and my daughter loves bouncing around from stone to stone. I just wish they were a little bigger.

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I purchased these for my home daycare, ages 0 to 5. I purchased in 2021, it’s the end of 2024 and I still have them. Only one of them has a bite taken out of it by a toddler. So they are definitely durable. I have not used them outside, however. I don’t remember what I paid for them, I hope it wasn’t the $50 that it is now I would be extremely upset. worth about half that I’d say. the color is vibrant, they are soft, but the kids cannot put these on the floor and jump from one to the other, because they 100% slip and slide all over the place on the vinyl flooring, carpet and wood. Most days the kids are just tossing them around or using them for some other kind of pretend play. Actually, based on other reviews, I should probably consider putting them outside, but it would be another thing to pick up off the grass. Wait for these to be on sale, $50 is a hard no. If I could go back, I probably wouldn’t have purchased them at all. They are also about the size of a large adult hand, I definitely thought they would be bigger.

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I purchased these as a gift for my grandchildren's "obstacle course." They are well made and I think they will hold up very well. More importantly, I discovered that they are fabulous for seniors, who are having balance problems! They would be a great addition to any therapy. As a former yoga instructor, I am considering buying these for myself!

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Bought these as an alternative to the balance stones and love them! The kids use their full imagination with these, from stepping stones to pancakes and pillows. They are soft enough not to do any damage but durable not to break. Honestly should have bought more then one set since they are such a hot item in our house.

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Me llevo a tiempo, bien sellado, no estaba maltratado, me encanta, ciertamente como lo comentan antes se siente un poco resbaladizo el material, si embargo es una buena herramienta para desarrollar el equilibrio en los peques de una manera lúdica.

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My 3 years old daughter loves this

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My kids love these and use them in lots of different ways. A shame they are so slippery on the bottom side - jumping sideways onto one of them, it slipped out from under my daughter’s feet and caused her to land heavily on her wrist.

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3 children in the household love stepping on these stones

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Best kids spy kit of 2025

Updated Apr, 2025
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Written by Connor Manion
Connor Manion
Connor Manion
Connor Manion is a University of Florida graduate living in the mountains of Northern Georgia. You can find his work among the pages of the Miami Herald, The Olympian, the Sun Herald, and the Fresno Bee. His writing covers a broad range of interests including health and fitness, home improvement, cooking, and pet care. In addition to writing, Connor tutors middle and high school students in math, English, and Economics.
Updated Apr, 2025
Best Pick
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10/10

Product Details

Best Junior Metal Detector
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9.8/10

Product Details

Best Toddler Obstacle Course
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9.4/10

Product Details

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Buying Guide

When it comes to rock tumbler kits, it can take time to narrow down your choices and determine which one is right for you. This guide highlights what to look for when choosing a rock tumbling for an adult. First, consider the type of rocks you'd like to polish. Different kits may be better suited to different types of rocks, so check the product descriptions and materials to see which type of rocks a kit is capable of polishing. Some rocks are harder than others, and some soft rocks can get broken if the tumbler doesn’t have a gentle setting. Rock tumblers generally have size limits to the rocks they can effectively polish. Larger rocks will require a larger tumbler and more grit, so make sure to check the size of the tumbler and the amount of grit included in the kit. You'll also want to consider the number of steps needed to polish your rocks. Some kits offer two-step tumbling which is easier and takes much less time, while others include up to six steps for a higher-quality finish. If you want to polish rocks to a lustrous shine, kits with more steps and different grains of grit will work better Finally, consider the price of the kit and whether or not it includes all the components you need to get started. Some kits may require you to purchase additional supplies, so make sure to research all of the components before making your purchase.
national geographic spy science kit
national geographic spy science kit

Featured Products

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Spy Science Kit - Kids Spy Activity Set, Complete 10 Secret Spy Missions with Spy Gadgets for Kids and Spy Gear, Kids Detective Kit, Science Kits for Kids, Pretend Play

national geographic spy science kit

@blue marble

With 10 different missions laid out and supplies to complete them included, this National Geographic Spy Science Kit allows your child to experience the thrill of spy work. The periscope is perfect for secretly looking around corners, and they can look both forwards and backward at the same time using the reflective spy glasses. The instruction guide lays out the details of each mission and provides a history of spy work. This educational set is a fun and creative way for your kids to develop their organization and observation skills.

Check Price

Product features

  • Includes invisible ink pen, UV light, and decoder wheel
  • Comes with required batteries
  • Suitable for children eight years old and up
  • Includes a notebook to track mission progress

FAQ

Can multiple children participate in each mission?

Absolutely! They can even create their own missions in addition to the provided ones. This is a great way to encourage teamwork and innovative thinking.

How long does each mission take?

The missions vary in time based on the child’s age and experience, along with other factors. Most kids are able to complete each mission independently without too much difficulty.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Junior Metal Detector - Adjustable Metal Detector for Kids with 7.5" Waterproof Dual Coil, Lightweight Design Great for Treasure Hunting Beginners

national geographic junior metal detector

@blue marble

The waterproof dual coil of the National Geographic Junior Metal Detector ensures accuracy and can detect metal objects up to six inches deep, while the adjustable sensitivity helps to avoid false positives. Plus, the telescoping arm and padded arm strap are easy to adjust, making it suitable for kids of all sizes. For those looking for an educational as well as entertaining product, the learning guide that comes included will be invaluable. It provides in-depth information about metal detectors, how the coils work to detect metal underground, and other practical knowledge that is essential to any treasure hunting enthusiast.

Check Price

Product features

  • Educational and encourages interest in STEM
  • Easy to store and take on-the-go
  • Collapsible and weighs less than 1.4 lbs
  • A great gift for both boys and girls

FAQ

How does it indicate when metal is located?

An LED light will start flashing and the detector will beep once it locates metal. This model can detect up to a depth of 6 inches.

What can interfere with a metal detector?

They can be interfered by machines and devices that emit radio waves, electromagnetic fields, or high vibrations. For the clearest quality, try detecting in an isolated outdoor area.

NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC Stepping Stones for Kids – 10 Soft Durable, Encourage Toddler Balance & Gross Motor Skills, Indoor & Outdoor Toys, Balance Stones, Obstacle Course (Amazon Exclusive)

national geographic stepping stones

@blue marble

National Geographic delivers a great toddler activity that encourages imagination, active playtime, and the development of gross motor skills with these colorful stepping stones. The unique foam formula is both durable and flexible, making this a reliable and long-lasting toy. The lightweight stones are soft to the touch and perfect for indoor or outdoor use. Use them to create fun obstacles and encourage your child’s creativity and growth.

Check Price

Product features

  • Includes 10 brightly colored stones
  • Educational and encourages interest in STEM
  • Improves balance and coordination
  • Awarded the 2019 Toy of the Year Award

FAQ

How big is each stepping stone?

This set comes with 10 stones that vary in size, though they are all between 6 and 8 inches wide.

What are these stones made out of?

They are crafted from polyurethane foam. This makes them sturdy enough for kids to stand on, but soft enough not to cause injuries.

Amazon Reviews

Read the review on Amazon
"Excellent fossil samples. Family really enjoyed digging for them."
Read the review on Amazon
"Our 6 year old grandson loves his spy kit, & has completed several "missions" since Christmas. He's a kid that enjoys toys & activities that really spark his creativity, & the fun things like disappearing ink, see-behind-you glasses, & the periscope really intrigued him! Based on his reaction, I highly recommend this kit for bright, curious kids!"
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