The Best Preschool Science Curriculum

In the 2019 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP), about one in three fourth graders reached “Proficient” in science, which is a signal that many children are not building strong science foundations early enough. Preschool is where that foundation can begin, but many families notice that “science” often becomes occasional crafts, random experiments, or short activities that do not steadily build understanding. Parents want something different: hands on curiosity, clear explanations, minimal prep, and materials that feel worth the effort, without turning science time into a complicated production. To find the best preschool science programs, we reviewed widely used early science and STEM resources, read program samples closely, and prioritized options that are secular, scientifically accurate, engaging, mastery based, and aligned with the scientific practices children will use in kindergarten and beyond.

For most preschoolers, Green Kid Crafts is our top pick because it delivers high quality, age appropriate STEAM projects with the convenience of a subscription and an eco conscious approach that many families appreciate. It is an ideal fit for parents who want science to happen consistently without sourcing supplies. The main drawback is that, like most kits, it is not a full, sequential science curriculum, which is why we also recommend strong alternatives for families who want a more complete nature based plan, a different monthly kit experience, or a low cost animal science supplement.

Watch: A quick overview of what strong preschool curriculum can look like at home.

How we vetted

Preschool science works best when it builds real habits of mind, not just cute outcomes. We look for resources that help children observe carefully, ask questions, compare patterns, and explain what they notice using evidence from the world around them. In practice, we start by screening for secular content and basic scientific reliability, because early misconceptions can stick. Then we evaluate engagement, clarity, and the amount of adult setup required, since a program that is too complicated will not last through a busy week. Finally, we check whether a resource supports mastery over time by revisiting ideas and encouraging children to talk, draw, sort, build, and test, which are the same kinds of scientific practices they will need as they move into NGSS aligned kindergarten science.

• Secular. We prioritize non religious resources that present science through evidence and observation, without religious framing or doctrinal explanations.
• Scientifically accurate. We look for correct explanations and trustworthy content that matches scientific consensus, without errors or misleading shortcuts.
• Engaging. We prioritize programs children genuinely enjoy and want to repeat, because attention and delight drive learning in the early years.
• Mastery based. We favor resources that build concepts gradually and give children repeated chances to apply ideas, not just complete a one time activity.
• Aligned with NGSS. NGSS officially begins in kindergarten, but we look for preschool resources that develop the same practices, such as observing, modeling, testing, and explaining.

Our top choice overall: Green Kid Crafts

Green Kid Crafts is a monthly STEAM subscription designed for young children, with projects that blend science, engineering, and creative making in a way that feels achievable for preschool families. What differentiates it is the balance of kid friendly activities and parent convenience, paired with a sustainability minded approach that many families prefer when teaching about nature and the environment. It is an excellent fit for households that want a predictable “science box” routine, children who love building and creating, and parents who want supplies delivered rather than sourced. It is not the best fit for families seeking a fully sequential science curriculum with a planned scope across life, Earth, and physical science, or for households that prefer a completely screen free, book centered nature study as their main approach. Pricing is subscription based and typically sits in the low to mid $30s per box, with better per box value on longer plans, which can be a strong return if consistency and prep time are your biggest barriers.

What parents like

Parents often choose Green Kid Crafts because it makes science feel easy to start and easy to finish. They also like that the projects feel purposeful, not like random crafts with a science label.

• The boxes reduce planning time because materials and instructions are organized and ready to use.
• The projects are engaging for young children and often hold attention longer than worksheets or passive videos.
• The eco conscious emphasis is appealing for families who want science to connect to care for the natural world.
• The subscription rhythm helps many households make science a consistent weekly routine.
• The activities create natural opportunities for conversation, prediction, and explanation, which are core early science habits.

What parents think could be improved or find frustrating

The most common frustrations are about the limits of a kit format rather than the quality of the materials. Families often need to add discussion and simple follow up to make learning stick.

• The projects are not designed as a complete preschool science curriculum with a yearlong sequence.
• Subscription costs can add up over time, especially if boxes pile up unused during busy months.
• Some activities require setup and cleanup, which can feel like a lot for preschool households.
• Parents sometimes want deeper explanation tied directly to each activity so the learning feels more explicit.
• Children may treat a box as a fun activity unless adults prompt reflection with simple questions.

Alternatives to Green Kid Crafts for different families

Blossom & Root Mega Bundle: Early Years Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 and Kindergarten Science Unit

Blossom & Root Mega Bundle: Early Years Vol. 1 and Vol. 2 and Kindergarten Science Unit is a nature based early learning bundle that many families choose when they want early science to be part of a complete, gentle early years plan rather than a standalone kit. What differentiates it is the way it builds science through nature study, books, and simple activities that encourage careful observation and meaningful conversation. It is an ideal fit for families who want a screen light routine, enjoy reading aloud, and prefer science that feels connected to seasons, plants, animals, and the everyday world. It is not a good fit for parents who want supplies delivered in a box, families who need an open and go kit with minimal sourcing, or households that cannot regularly get outdoors and will not want to adapt activities. Parents often love the calm tone and the depth that comes from repeated nature observation, but they may find book sourcing and parent facilitation demanding. The cost is typically a one time digital purchase with a higher upfront price than a single unit, but strong value if you want multiple volumes you can reuse and revisit across years.

Watch: An interview with Blossom and Root founder Kristina Garner.

What parents like

• The nature based approach keeps science grounded in real observation and real questions.
• The literature rich structure supports vocabulary and comprehension through high quality books.
• The plan feels gentle and sustainable, which helps families actually stick with science.
• The bundle format can be strong long term value because families can reuse it across multiple years.

What parents think could be improved or find frustrating

• Parents often need to source books and supplies, which adds planning time.
• The program is parent led, so it does not function as an independent option for preschoolers.
• Outdoor and seasonal activities require adaptation in bad weather or limited outdoor access.
• Families who want frequent structured experiments may want to add a kit subscription for variety.

KiwiCo

KiwiCo is a hands on STEM subscription known for build projects that encourage children to make, test, and troubleshoot. What differentiates it is convenience paired with a strong engineering feel, which can be especially motivating for preschoolers who love to construct and see results quickly. It is an ideal fit for families who want a predictable project day, parents who want materials delivered and organized, and children who engage best when they are building and experimenting with their hands. It is not a great fit as a complete preschool science plan because subscriptions are not typically designed as a cohesive, yearlong science sequence, and families often need to add books and conversation to connect projects to broader science ideas. Parents often like the clear directions and the satisfying finished projects, while frustrations tend to include subscription cost and the need for adult help with assembly at this age. Pricing varies by crate and plan, but many families should expect a recurring monthly cost in the mid $20s and up, and the value is strongest when the convenience actually replaces parent planning time.

What parents like

• The kits arrive with organized materials, which lowers the barrier to doing hands on STEM regularly.
• Projects often keep preschoolers engaged through building, testing, and trying again.
• The format naturally supports problem solving and persistence in a developmentally appropriate way.
• Families can use it flexibly as a supplement alongside nature study, library books, or museum visits.

What parents think could be improved or find frustrating

• It is not a full preschool science curriculum with a planned sequence across topics.
• Ongoing subscription costs can add up quickly if you subscribe year round.
• Many preschoolers still need hands on adult support for setup, assembly, and cleanup.
• Some families want more explicit explanation tied to each project so the science feels clearer.

Wild Kratts World Adventure App

Wild Kratts World Adventure App is an educational game that introduces animal facts, habitats, and basic ecological ideas through interactive play. What differentiates it is motivation, because many young children who love the show will participate willingly, which can turn animal curiosity into real vocabulary and knowledge. It is an ideal fit as a light supplement for busy days, travel time, or short science moments when a child is especially fascinated by animals. It is not a good fit as a primary preschool science program because it is screen based and does not provide hands on investigation, real world observation, or a coherent curriculum sequence. Parents often like that it feels more purposeful than random entertainment apps, but they may find children need adult conversation to connect what they see on a screen to real understanding. The cost is typically a low, one time purchase, often just a few dollars, which makes the value strong as a small add on when it replaces less educational screen time and prompts discussion, books, and nature observation about animals.

What parents like

• The animal focus is highly engaging for many children and often sparks genuine questions.
• The app can reinforce vocabulary about habitats, adaptations, and animal behavior.
• The low one time cost makes it an easy supplement for families on a budget.
• It can motivate follow up learning through library books, documentaries, or outdoor observation.

What parents think could be improved or find frustrating

• It does not provide hands on experiments or a structured science plan for preschool.
• Children may focus on gameplay more than content unless adults follow up with questions.
• Families limiting screen time may prefer an offline option as their main science approach.
• It works best with parent conversation, which some families may not have time to do consistently.

NGSS science standards for preschool

NGSS officially begins in kindergarten, but preschool science can absolutely build the same habits that children will use in NGSS aligned classrooms. A strong preschool science plan typically includes:

• Practicing careful observation, including noticing patterns in weather, plants, animals, and everyday objects.
• Asking questions, making simple predictions, and checking ideas by trying something and watching what happens.
• Sorting, classifying, and comparing, which lays the groundwork for later data skills.
• Using simple tools, such as magnifiers, cups for measuring, or basic ramps, to explore cause and effect.
• Explaining findings with evidence, often through drawings, simple sentences, or guided conversation.

What's the point of science? How to convince your kid to learn science

For preschoolers, the point of science is to protect curiosity and turn it into thinking. Science teaches children that their questions matter and that they can find answers by observing, testing, and explaining. That matters because it builds confidence, attention, and reasoning long before formal science classes begin. When a child learns to notice which objects sink, how shadows change, or why plants grow toward light, they are building the early foundations of scientific reasoning.

The easiest way to motivate preschool science is to connect it to what your child already loves and give them a simple, powerful role. Make them the “family scientist” who spots patterns on a walk, predicts what will happen in a simple experiment, and explains what they saw. Keep the work short and repeatable, such as one weekly project, one nature walk, or one kitchen investigation. Then ask better questions than “What did you do?” Ask, “What did you notice?” and “How do you know?” That is how science becomes a habit.

Watch: A parent focused breakdown of preschool readiness and what you do (and do not) need at this age.

Further reading

If you want a broader framework for choosing secular, scientifically accurate science resources across ages, start with The Best Secular Science Programs for Homeschoolers, which explains what to look for and what to avoid. If you are deciding whether to slow down for deeper understanding or move on for broader exposure, So what’s the big deal about Mastery Learning? offers a practical way to think about pacing. If you want vetted science videos you can use selectively with adult discussion, 200 Amazing Educational YouTube Channels includes many strong science options for young children. If you want a curated way to compare resources and build a complete plan across subjects, Modulo’s Free Curriculum Planner can help you map out what to use and when.

About your guide

Manisha Snoyer, CEO and co founder of Modulo, wrote this preschool science guide. Over more than 20 years of teaching in three countries, she has worked with more than 2,000 children across public schools, private schools, and alternative programs, which gives her a clear view of what actually builds early scientific thinking. She graduated summa cum laude from Brandeis University and minored in Environmental Studies, a useful lens when vetting nature, Earth science, and climate related content for young kids. Before Modulo, she built CottageClass, an early microschool marketplace, and co founded SchoolClosures.org with Eric Ries to support families during pandemic shutdowns. She also leads MasteryHour.org, a free online tutoring program listed by Stanford’s National Student Support Accelerator. Her recommendations prioritize secular accuracy, child engagement, and practical programs that parents can use consistently at home.

Affiliate disclaimer

Some links on this page are affiliate links, which means Modulo may earn a small commission if you choose to make a purchase through them at no extra cost to you. We only recommend resources we believe are genuinely high quality and useful for families.