science kits

[tribecamom]

Has anyone seen these? they have a number of kits labeled 4 and over...they look cool...wondering if they are really okay for the 4-6 set

http://www.scientificexplorer.com/

[LBW]

Those look really great. DS1 has been really interested in science lately because we've been reading the Magic Schoolbus books. I might have to look into buying a kit or two (or something comparable).

[mainepotato]

My 5-yr-old DD just got their Mind Blowing Science kit for Christmas. I purchased it from KidSurplus for $16 (retail $20).

Contents:
- Red cabbage juice powder
- Citric acid
- Baking soda
- Tub tints
- Crosslinked polyacrylamide crystals (jelly crystals used for diapers, plants, etc)
- Cooking oil
- Corn starch
- 2 sheets goldenrod paper
- 2 Cotton swabs
- Test tubes and caps
- 3 Plastic cups
- Pipette (like eye dropper)
- 2 Stir sticks
- 2 Measuring spoons
- Science guide

The first ten experiments involve different combinations of
1. mixing citric acid and baking soda to make fizz and a volcano
2. mixing red cabbage powder with acids and bases to make colors
3. adding liquid to crystals to make "jiggly crystals"

so first you'll do #1 by itself, and then you'll do #1 and #2 together to get a colorful volcano, and then you'll do #2 and #3 to get colorful crystals, etc. It's all basically the same three things, until you get to the last two:
(11) cornstarch + water = ooze
(12) tub tints color mixing - except you don't actually mix the water. You just hold two individually colored test tubes up to the light together to see the combined color.

To me, it's just a cheap little kit and we could do most of the same experiments with supplies we already have. To DD, it's very exciting to have her very own "official" science kit. The experiments we've done have held her interest and she's excited to do more. Although predictable for adults, I think for younger kids it might be a good thing that the experiments are so repetitive because they reinforce the same concepts in different ways.

I like the instruction booklet. It's thorough in explaining the directions and explaining the science behind the experiments. It's written in an enthusiastic voice, not too dry, and easy enough for my 5-yr-old to understand.

HTH! :)

oh yeah- you might be interested in this site too. Catalog, experiment library, videos, etc. http://www.stevespanglerscience.com

[mainepotato]

I thought the video that goes with this experiment was so cute! http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/experiment/275

[sdbc]

We got this book for DD for Xmas: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/031249176X/ref=wl_it_dp/102-0902773-6738535?ie=UTF8&coliid=I1MJZ3QTRV9Z2X&colid=21RLTBFSWAX9E

It has tons of different experiments.It's not a kit, but most of the supplies are easy to find.

Sue, mommy to Aurora (Rory) born 5/13/04

[tribecamom]

thanks everyone for the great ideas

[Corie]

I bought the Disgusting Anatomy Brain kit for my nephew and it came with
a bonus make-your-own eyeball. :) So cool !!! I was seriously debating
about buying one for my husband. He would have gotten a kick out of it!!

I think they look awesome!

[Corie]

I remember making the Creepy Crawlers when I was young. Now, they have
the set available again. I really wanted to buy it for myself! It looks like so
much fun! :)

I bet the 4-6 aged kids would love to make bugs!!! How cool would that be??