---
product_id: 280489301
title: "Thames & Kosmos Candy Claw Engineering STEM Experiment Maker Lab | Build Your Own Claw Machine | Learn Hydraulics & Engineering | Includes Lollipops | Toy of the Year Finalist | Difficulty: Advanced"
brand: "thames & kosmos"
price: "HK$725"
currency: HKD
in_stock: true
reviews_count: 13
url: https://www.desertcart.hk/products/280489301-thames-and-kosmos-candy-claw-engineering-stem-experiment-maker-lab
store_origin: HK
region: Hong Kong
---

# Hydraulic levers power motion 3 claw types for precision grip 2-3 hour advanced STEM build Thames & Kosmos Candy Claw Engineering STEM Experiment Maker Lab | Build Your Own Claw Machine | Learn Hydraulics & Engineering | Includes Lollipops | Toy of the Year Finalist | Difficulty: Advanced

**Brand:** thames & kosmos
**Price:** HK$725
**Availability:** ✅ In Stock

## Summary

> 🎯 Grab the future of STEM fun—build, play, and conquer the Candy Claw challenge!

## Quick Answers

- **What is this?** Thames & Kosmos Candy Claw Engineering STEM Experiment Maker Lab | Build Your Own Claw Machine | Learn Hydraulics & Engineering | Includes Lollipops | Toy of the Year Finalist | Difficulty: Advanced by thames & kosmos
- **How much does it cost?** HK$725 with free shipping
- **Is it available?** Yes, in stock and ready to ship
- **Where can I buy it?** [www.desertcart.hk](https://www.desertcart.hk/products/280489301-thames-and-kosmos-candy-claw-engineering-stem-experiment-maker-lab)

## Best For

- thames & kosmos enthusiasts

## Why This Product

- Trusted thames & kosmos brand quality
- Free international shipping included
- Worldwide delivery with tracking
- 15-day hassle-free returns

## Key Features

- • **Choose Your Claw:** Experiment with three distinct claw designs (pincher, scoop, three-pronged) to perfect your prize-grabbing strategy.
- • **Hydraulics in Action:** Explore real hydraulic lever systems—no batteries needed—to power up and control your claw with authentic mechanical advantage.
- • **Gamify Your Engineering:** Challenge your dexterity and motor skills with timed candy retrieval contests that turn learning into addictive fun.
- • **Master Mechanical Marvels:** Build and engineer a fully functional arcade-style claw machine using gears, belts, and linkages for hands-on STEM immersion.
- • **STEM Toy of the Year Finalist:** Join the elite community of young engineers with this award-nominated kit that blends education and excitement.

## Overview

The Thames & Kosmos Candy Claw Engineering STEM Experiment Maker Lab is an advanced, hands-on educational kit that lets users build a mechanical arcade-style claw machine powered by hydraulic levers and manual cranks. Designed for ages 8 and up (with adult help recommended), it teaches core engineering concepts like gears, levers, belts, and hydraulics without batteries. Featuring three claw types and including candy prizes, this 2-3 hour build offers a gamified learning experience and was recognized as a 2022 Toy of the Year finalist.

## Description

Step right up and try your luck! Do you have what it takes to grab a claw-full of candy with the Candy Claw Machine? Experiment to develop your motor skills and engineering chops to conquer this awesome STEM challenge. Build a working model of the classic claw machine — that enticing, sometimes frustrating, and always fun arcade game in which you try to grab prizes from inside the machine with a remote-controlled claw in a limited amount of time. Cranks, gears, and belts move the claw arm left and right, and forward and back. Hydraulic levers move the arm up and down, and open and close the claw. A spring-loaded trap door shoots the collected candy out at you if you manage to succeed. Time yourself or your friends and see if you can retrieve a specific object in a given amount of time. No batteries or electricity are required — it uses only the power of your hand and the mechanical advantage of the machines built into the device. Choose from three different claw shapes (cool nerdy roboticists call these “end effectors”) and find the one that works best to pick up a particular candy or prize. Learn how the gears, levers, belt, screws, hydraulics, linkages, cranks, and claws all work together to pick up, move, and drop prizes. Experiment with different gear ratios to speed up or power up your claw. Packed with 6 lollipops and decoys (fake candy boxes), you can also fill it with whatever small candies, toys, or other small objects you like. The game itself is great for honing dexterity skills and hand-eye coordination. An innovative take on a robotic arm with something really worth grabbing!

Review: Not the toy we were expecting - This was not made to be a use able toy once finished. We thought we were getting a claw machine that our kids could use (like ones you see at game rooms, grocery stores, or restaurants). It took two of us all evening to figure out how to put it together. Water leaked everywhere, and we knew it wasn't actually going to work once we were finished. The pieces are all plastic and have to be cut off and then have to have any remaining plastic on the piece your working on either filed off or cut off with another tool (if your lucky to have one). Other sections fell apart as we worked on new sections, the ribbon that is supposed to pull the claw the lengthwise along the machine doesn't move it, and then the ribbon falls off the roll its on. The mechanism to move the claw from the front to the back of the machine is run by air- it does move the claw, but its jerky, and hard to turn. The water hydraulic system is used to move the claw up and down and to open/close the claw. The lever to move the claw up and down- that works good. Its probably the only piece that does. The lever that opens the claw on the other hand... all the water leaked out of the system and it didn't work. There was an easier way to "refill" that side if the water leaked out, but since it liked to fall apart randomly, we didn't chance it. The claw itself takes up over half the space between the top of the machine and the bottom (where the treats are). I'm sure as a "how do things work" science toy- this is great for older kids. But I don't think any kid 8-12 is going to have the patience to put it together.
Review: This company REALLY believes in customer support!! - Got the Thanes and Kosmos Candy Claw Machine for my grandchildren, and they were so excited about it that they opened it and started to put it together without any help. Well, it is pretty complicated and they really needed an adult, so they just skipped steps they didn't understand and scattered parts all over the place. Ultimately, I got involved and discovered a couple of key parts were nowhere to be found. The Customer Service department at Thames and Kosmos cheerfully sent replacements, and insisted on paying for the parts and the shipping (in spite of my offer to pay). I'm a customer for life for any company that actually believes in customer service and has good products to sell!

## Features

- Build & engineer your own arcade-style claw machine!.Ideal for ages:6 years and up
- Experiment with three different types of claws (pincher, scoop, and three-pronged) to pick up lollipops and decoy candy boxes (both included!).
- A fun yet challenging, gamified approach to engineering lessons, you’ll learn about hydraulics, levers, gears, belts, linkages, end effectors, and more.
- No batteries or electricity required; it uses only the power of your hand and the mechanical advantage of the machines built into the device.
- Refill your machine with your own treats and prizes for long-lasting fun.
- For ages 8+ with help; 12+ "I got this!"
- IMPORTANT: This cute candy claw is a challenging build! Parents/adults will need to be active participants in the assembly and engineering of this product.
- IMPORTANT: Download and read the instruction before use. We recommend using the step-by-step assembly and troubleshooting videos available online.
- Build Time: Approximately 2-3 Hours
- The Toy Association's 2022 STEAM Toy of the Year finalist!

## Technical Specifications

| Specification | Value |
|---------------|-------|
| ASIN | B08V123KDQ |
| Age Range Description | 8+ |
| Best Sellers Rank | #205,075 in Toys & Games ( See Top 100 in Toys & Games ) #1,914 in Educational Science Kits |
| Brand Name | Thames & Kosmos |
| Color | Multicolor |
| Customer Reviews | 2.8 out of 5 stars 1,105 Reviews |
| Educational Objective | STEM |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00814743015838 |
| Included Components | Plastic building pieces, lollipops, decoy boxes, sticker sheet |
| Is Assembly Required | Yes |
| Item Dimensions | 13 x 3.5 x 11.5 inches |
| Item Type Name | Engineering Science Kit |
| Manufacturer | Thames & Kosmos |
| Manufacturer Maximum Age (MONTHS) | 168.0 |
| Manufacturer Minimum Age (MONTHS) | 72.0 |
| Manufacturer Part Number | 550103 |
| Material Type | Plastic |
| Model Number | 550103 |
| Number of Players | 1 |
| Operation Mode | Manual |
| Power Source | Manual |
| Size | Large |
| Theme | Candy |
| UPC | 814743015838 |

## Images

![Thames & Kosmos Candy Claw Engineering STEM Experiment Maker Lab | Build Your Own Claw Machine | Learn Hydraulics & Engineering | Includes Lollipops | Toy of the Year Finalist | Difficulty: Advanced - Image 1](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81nMLFDa6EL.jpg)
![Thames & Kosmos Candy Claw Engineering STEM Experiment Maker Lab | Build Your Own Claw Machine | Learn Hydraulics & Engineering | Includes Lollipops | Toy of the Year Finalist | Difficulty: Advanced - Image 2](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81vyGDLAcqL.jpg)
![Thames & Kosmos Candy Claw Engineering STEM Experiment Maker Lab | Build Your Own Claw Machine | Learn Hydraulics & Engineering | Includes Lollipops | Toy of the Year Finalist | Difficulty: Advanced - Image 3](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71cqeSJep1L.jpg)
![Thames & Kosmos Candy Claw Engineering STEM Experiment Maker Lab | Build Your Own Claw Machine | Learn Hydraulics & Engineering | Includes Lollipops | Toy of the Year Finalist | Difficulty: Advanced - Image 4](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/719UdhAr+HL.jpg)
![Thames & Kosmos Candy Claw Engineering STEM Experiment Maker Lab | Build Your Own Claw Machine | Learn Hydraulics & Engineering | Includes Lollipops | Toy of the Year Finalist | Difficulty: Advanced - Image 5](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81+L0n8qTML.jpg)

## Available Options

This product comes in different **Style** options.

## Questions & Answers

**Q: What size tubing is it ? My son cut the lines too short**
A: You can contact us at Support@thamesandkosmos.com for replacement options. The tube measures outside .1725" (4.98mm) x inside .1085" (2.76mm).

**Q: Do you have to choose one model to build or does one kit make all six models?**
A: You have to choose one model to build. The kit comes with enough parts for just one model time.

**Q: Webise or emila for troubleshooting?**
A: Thank you for your question. This article has our Step-by-Step Assembly Video and Troubleshooting for the Candy Claw Machine as well as a link to contact us for additional assistance. 

https://thamesandkosmos.zendesk.com/hc/en-us/articles/4409456509075-Candy-Claw-Machine-Step-by-Step-Assembly-Video-and-Troubleshooting

**Q: Would this be too advanced for my 6 year old son who loves legos?**
A: Thank you for your question. The recommended age group for our Mechanical Engineering: Robotic Arms kit is 7 to 14 years of age, however, you may find it appropriate for your son, based on his experience level. You can view the manual by clicking on the following link to view what comes in the kit as well as to get a sense of the different experiments: https://www.thamesandkosmos.com/manuals/full/625415_ME_Robotic_Arms_Manual.pdf

## Customer Reviews

### ⭐ Not the toy we were expecting
*by M***S on December 26, 2021*

This was not made to be a use able toy once finished. We thought we were getting a claw machine that our kids could use (like ones you see at game rooms, grocery stores, or restaurants). It took two of us all evening to figure out how to put it together. Water leaked everywhere, and we knew it wasn't actually going to work once we were finished. The pieces are all plastic and have to be cut off and then have to have any remaining plastic on the piece your working on either filed off or cut off with another tool (if your lucky to have one). Other sections fell apart as we worked on new sections, the ribbon that is supposed to pull the claw the lengthwise along the machine doesn't move it, and then the ribbon falls off the roll its on. The mechanism to move the claw from the front to the back of the machine is run by air- it does move the claw, but its jerky, and hard to turn. The water hydraulic system is used to move the claw up and down and to open/close the claw. The lever to move the claw up and down- that works good. Its probably the only piece that does. The lever that opens the claw on the other hand... all the water leaked out of the system and it didn't work. There was an easier way to "refill" that side if the water leaked out, but since it liked to fall apart randomly, we didn't chance it. The claw itself takes up over half the space between the top of the machine and the bottom (where the treats are). I'm sure as a "how do things work" science toy- this is great for older kids. But I don't think any kid 8-12 is going to have the patience to put it together.

### ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ This company REALLY believes in customer support!!
*by C***Y on December 14, 2021*

Got the Thanes and Kosmos Candy Claw Machine for my grandchildren, and they were so excited about it that they opened it and started to put it together without any help. Well, it is pretty complicated and they really needed an adult, so they just skipped steps they didn't understand and scattered parts all over the place. Ultimately, I got involved and discovered a couple of key parts were nowhere to be found. The Customer Service department at Thames and Kosmos cheerfully sent replacements, and insisted on paying for the parts and the shipping (in spite of my offer to pay). I'm a customer for life for any company that actually believes in customer service and has good products to sell!

### ⭐ Horrible for Children!
*by M***L on January 16, 2023*

This product would be great for high schoolers or college students who are studying engineering and how to improve on children's toy designs. This is not easy to assemble. The age listed is 6-14, but really 6-10 year olds will need a LOT of help to put this together. More important, this really doesn't work. I would not consider this product as a functioning candy claw machine. It is instead a hydraulics building lesson, where the main point is how a poor design won't end up working. The hydraulics leak, to the point where you have to refill them after each use. And even when full they still don't work. The weight of the liquid (which is part of the claw assembly) makes it difficult for the claw to be raised high enough to drop the candy in the chute. I'm sure the design could be changed to function better, but as is you will likely be unable to get this to function at all, much less consistently, and much less well enough to where a child in the age range can use this and have fun. This review is not even considering the myriad other issues such as the wonky controls used to move the claw around before it drops. Ultimately this isn't a good present for anyone unless you really don't like the children or the parents.

## Frequently Bought Together

- Thames & Kosmos Candy Claw Engineering STEM Experiment Maker Lab | Build Your Own Claw Machine | Learn Hydraulics & Engineering | Includes Lollipops | Toy of The Year Finalist | Difficulty: Advanced
- Thames & Kosmos Pinball Machine Maker STEM Experiment Kit Toy of the Year Finalist - Build a Reconfigurable Pinball Machine, Explore Physics, Force, Motion, Gravity, Simple Machines, Gumballs Included

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*Product available on Desertcart Hong Kong*
*Store origin: HK*
*Last updated: 2026-06-15*