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Smithsonian Newton's Cradle: Physics Learning Kit for 3rd Grade with Instruction Guide - 2 of 4Smithsonian Newton's Cradle: Physics Learning Kit for 3rd Grade with Instruction Guide - 3 of 4Smithsonian Newton's Cradle: Physics Learning Kit for 3rd Grade with Instruction Guide - 4 of 4
Smithsonian Newton's Cradle: Physics Learning Kit for 3rd Grade with Instruction Guide - 1 of 4

Smithsonian Newton's Cradle: Physics Learning Kit for 3rd Grade with Instruction Guide

$15.99 reg $19.99
Sale save $4.00 (20% off)

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At a glance

About this item

Highlights

  • Learn about Newton’s Third Law of Motion: For every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction.
  • Watch how momentum and energy are transferred from one side of Newton’s Cradle to the other.
  • Observe how potential (“stored”) energy becomes kinetic energy.
  • Learn about matter, mass and momentum
  • Learn about inertia, force, and centripetal force
  • Observe what happens when you change the combination of balls you swing.
  • Try simple experiments with coins to demonstrate Newton’s First Law of Motion: An object at rest tends to stay at rest; an object in motion tends to stay in motion

Description

Swing one ball or two, and observe what happens on the other end. Based on Sir Isaac Newton’s Third Law of Motion, Newton’s Cradle lets you witness for yourself how for every action, there is an opposite and equal reaction. Perform various experiments to observe the law in action. STEM content includes biographical information on Sir Isaac Newton and explains concepts including matter, mass, momentum, inertia, force, centripetal force and Newton’s three laws of motion. Ages 8+.
Suggested Age: 8 Years and Up
Educational Focus: Physics
Includes: Instruction Guide
Battery: No Battery Used
TCIN: 93985252
UPC: 042409222287
Item Number (DPCI): 086-00-5833
Origin: Imported
If the item details aren’t accurate or complete, we want to know about it.

Shipping details

Estimated ship dimensions: 4.09 inches length x 11.8 inches width x 11.92 inches height
Estimated ship weight: 1.62 pounds

Return details

This item can be returned to any Target store or Target.com.
This item must be returned within 90 days of the date it was purchased in store, delivered to the guest, delivered by a Shipt shopper, or picked up by the guest.
See the return policy for complete information.

Q: What scientific concepts can be learned with this kit?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 15 days ago
  • A: The kit teaches concepts like momentum, energy transfer, inertia, and Newton's laws of motion.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 15 days ago
    Ai generated

Q: Are batteries required for using the Newton's Cradle?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 15 days ago
  • A: No, this learning kit does not require any batteries for operation.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 15 days ago
    Ai generated

Q: What age group is this physics learning kit intended for?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 15 days ago
  • A: The kit is designed for children aged 8 years and older.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 15 days ago
    Ai generated

Q: What type of educational focus does this kit have?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 15 days ago
  • A: The educational focus of this kit is on physics principles.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 15 days ago
    Ai generated

Q: Can you perform experiments with items other than the balls?

submitted by AI Shopping Assistant - 15 days ago
  • A: Yes, you can use coins to demonstrate Newton's First Law of Motion.

    submitted byAI Shopping Assistant - 15 days ago
    Ai generated

Q: How many total balls does it have? Is this the full sized version or a mini one?

submitted by Harried Mama - 23 days ago
  • A: Hi Harried Mama — great question! This version of the Smithsonian Newton’s Cradle typically includes 5 metal balls, which is the standard setup for demonstrating motion and energy transfer. It’s a smaller, desktop-sized version, not a large full-size display model. If you’re looking for something larger or heavier-duty, those are usually sold separately as more decorative desk pieces rather than kids’ learning kits.

    submitted byNSI Product Support Team - 21 days ago
    Brand expert

Q: How big is it? Dimensions not in specifications.

submitted by Libraryanna - 9 months ago
  • A: The box is 4 inches length x 12 inches width x 11.75 inches height. The Newton's Cradle is smaller and approximately 2 inches length x 9.5 inches width x 9 inches height.

    submitted byNSI Product Support Team - 9 months ago
    Brand expert

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broad age appeal: 4.25 out of 5
ease of use: 4 out of 5
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2 out of 5 stars
27 March, 2026

(no review title)

Wanted to love this but the balls are not aligned so it only clicks once or twice before it stops. Really disappointing
1 reply from NSI Product Support Team team - 23 days ago
That’s definitely disappointing, especially when you were hoping for that classic motion to work smoothly. It shouldn’t be stopping like that after just a couple clicks. Our team can take a closer look and help with this. Please reach out to custserv@nsi-int.com and include “Target Review” and the name you used to post the review in the subject line.
ZA
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1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
4 February, 2026Verified purchase

Flimsy and Will Not Last

Flimsy and will not last Had this out of the box for less than a month and only used it occassionally. Went to use it today and the string broke off one of the silver balls rendering it useless.
1 reply from NSI Product Support Team team - 3 months ago
Hi Elizabeth — we’re sorry to hear this happened. That’s really disappointing, especially after such light, occasional use. If you’re open to it, our team can take a closer look and help review what happened. Please reach out to custserv@nsi-int.com with the subject line “Smithsonian Newton’s Cradle – Elizabeth”, and be sure to include the name used for this review so they can find it quickly. We appreciate you taking the time to share this feedback.
Elizabeth
broad age appeal: 5 out of 5
ease of use: 5 out of 5
length of play: 3 out of 5
quality: 1 out of 5
value: 1 out of 5
1 guest found this review helpful. Did you?
5 out of 5 stars
5 January, 2026Verified purchase

(no review title)

He lives his gift
Donna
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5 out of 5 stars
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Conversation starter

Put this on my desk and I had a lot of inquiries and people want to touch it
Hannaloves
broad age appeal: 5 out of 5
ease of use: 5 out of 5
length of play: 5 out of 5
quality: 5 out of 5
value: 5 out of 5
Did you find this review helpful?
1 out of 5 stars
Thumbs down graphic, would not recommend
25 December, 2025

Junk

Absolute junk. It came extremely tangled up and it’s impossible to fix it. Even if I could fix it the strings are all warped and twisted. It won’t ever work. Don’t waste your money.
1 reply from NSI Product Support Team team - 4 months ago
We’re sorry to hear about your experience with the Smithsonian Newton’s Cradle, Emmaly — that’s definitely frustrating. The strings should arrive properly aligned, and what you described isn’t the experience we want customers to have. Please reach out to our customer service team at custserv@nsi-int.com so they can help look into this and make sure you’re taken care of. Put “Target Review Follow Up” in the subject line and let them know you posted this review under the name Emmaly. We appreciate you taking the time to share your feedback.
Emmaly
broad age appeal: 2 out of 5
ease of use: 1 out of 5
length of play: 1 out of 5
quality: 1 out of 5
value: 1 out of 5
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5 out of 5 stars
Thumbs up graphic, would recommend
11 December, 2025

My Niece Is Obsessed… and Honestly, So Am I

I grabbed this to show my niece a little physics, and now she won’t stop clicking it. She loves seeing how one ball knocks the others in perfect rhythm. Simple, calming, and surprisingly entertaining for both of us.
thatsjustlife
broad age appeal: 5 out of 5
ease of use: 5 out of 5
length of play: 5 out of 5
quality: 5 out of 5
value: 5 out of 5
1 guest found this review helpful. Did you?
2 out of 5 stars
1 November, 2025

(no review title)

Flimsy and dented.
1 reply from NSI Product Support Team team - 6 months ago
We're sorry you had a disappointing experience with your Newton's Cradle, but we really want to make things right. Please reach out to our customer service team at custserv@nsi-int.com, and they will be happy to help you. Please put "Target Review Follow Up" in the subject line and let them know you published this review under Jackie.
Jackie
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