Are Snap Circuits actually educational or just a toy?

Threads in r/snapcircuits, r/ElectroBOOM, and r/AskElectronics include adults who credit Snap Circuits with launching real electronics careers, and the line is repeatedly cited as the standard hands-on circuit introduction for kids. The caveat raised in those same threads is that the included manual focuses on building, not deep theory, so a parent who wants the 'why' behind each circuit will want to supplement.