Sure, a little kit is a cost-effective way to start, if you consider yourself a true beginner. Most kits are aimed at a young market. Find one that is more science and electronics oriented than toy-oriented, in hopes you’ll learn better fundamentals.

If you are a bit further along, you might be better off dipping into microcontrollers or raspberry pi projects, of which there are a million.

Don’t overbuy, but don’t skimp when it comes to tools. No need for a premium soldering iron, but the mid level model is a better bet than the lowest price item, for instance.

If you aspire to really make something ambitious, check out adafruit and sparkfun. They have entry level kits and modular projects where you get into electronics and programming.