MEL Science Box Review: Hands-On STEM Fun for Kids

When a box shows up on our doorstep, the excitement in our house is instant. But when that box promises bubbling experiments, bright colors, and a side of learning? That’s next-level.

That’s exactly what happened when the MEL Science Box arrived. It’s basically a mini science lab in a box, packed with hands-on experiments, clear instructions, and everything you need to make real science happen right at home. It’s designed to make learning feel less like homework and more like an adventure.

Even better, MEL Science grows with your kid’s curiosity. They offer themed boxes across a range of topics and ages: STEM for ages 5+, Math for ages 8+, Physics for ages 8+, Chemistry for ages 10+, and Medicine for ages 14+. Whether your child is just beginning to ask “why?” or already planning their future lab setup, there’s a perfect fit for every budding scientist.

We tried The Art of Math box, which blends math and creativity in ways that even the most number-averse kids can appreciate. Using fractions and geometry to make stunning patterns and mosaics, it turns simple equations into what MEL Science calls “math-terpieces” and that’s exactly what happened at our table.

What’s Inside the Box

The kit included everything needed to complete two main projects:

A cycloid drawing machine that creates mesmerizing, spirograph-style designs.
A set of tessellation pieces that fit together like a puzzle to form intricate patterns.

Every piece was clearly labeled, and we didn’t have to scramble for any extra supplies, a HUGE plus when you have a super-excited kiddo who is ready to work on the projects as soon as the box is delivered. There was also a sheet of fun stickers that related to the activity theme. Our kiddo used some of them to decorate the cycloid drawing machine when he finished it. (and he even let us keep a couple of them so we could be as “math cool” as he is. Never thought we would be called “math cool” but it sounded like a compliment, so guess that’s a win all around.)

mel science box art of math — everything we needed, all in one place!

There’s an App for That

One of the standout features was the MEL Science app. It provides step-by-step video instructions, broken into short, easy-to-follow clips instead of one long video. It pauses after each step and was easy to navigate if we needed to go back and rewatch a step. The videos were clear, engaging, and showed exactly what each part of the project should look like along the way, which is perfect for kids who like to do it “all by myself” or for grown-ups who want to make sure it’s assembled correctly the first time.

Great for a Range of Ages

This particular box is designed for ages 8 and up, but our 5-year-old was able to join in with just a bit of extra help. The activities were easy to tailor for different age levels so younger kids can enjoy the building and pattern-making, while older ones can dive into the math behind it. It’s an awesome fit for homeschool families or anyone who loves sneaking a little learning into playtime. The videos explaining the math behind the projects were interesting and fun. (Our kiddo actually asked to watch them more than once so we were pretty impressed with that.)

Why It Stands Out

MEL Science does a fantastic job bringing STEM off the page and into the real world. Instead of filling out worksheets about fractions and symmetry, kids get to see how these concepts work through motion, color, and design. It’s learning by doing, the kind that actually sticks.

This occupied him for a WHILE so big points from us on that!

mel science box — seriously, how cool is this? answer: super cool

Final Thoughts

The Art of Math box turned what could have been another afternoon of “boring math practice” into a creative, hands-on adventure. The projects were high quality, the app made it easy to follow along, and everything we needed was in the box, no last-minute craft store runs required.

If you’ve got a curious kid who loves to tinker, build, or create, the MEL Science Box is a keeper.

Perfect For:
🧮 Homeschool Enrichment – Turn math lessons into hands-on, project-based learning that connects geometry, art, and fractions in one activity.
🎨 STEAM Fridays or Unit Studies – Pairs beautifully with art or nature study units about patterns, symmetry, and design.
👩‍🏫 Multi-Age Learning – Easy to scale for different ages; older kids can explore the math concepts while younger ones enjoy the creative process.
📦 Low-Prep Parents – Everything’s included, so no hunting down extra supplies before a lesson.