Science or History Gifts for an 8y.o.

[hbridge]

The grandparents are asking for holiday gift ideas and DC is a very content child who wants nothing. She LOVES science and history, but I am totally out of ideas. We already have a microscope, telescope and globe. Her real love at the moment is taking baking soda and vinegar outside and seeing what she can do. So other than LARGE quantities of baking soda and vinegar, I'm at a total loss.

I'd like to give them a list with a variety of different items and price points. Any suggestions?

[urquie]

Snap circuits
http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-SC-300-Snap-Circuits/dp/B0000683A4/ref=sr_1_2?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1350188685&sr=1-2&keywords=snap+circuits

[bnme]

Love snap circuits.

Saw this book and I am thinking of orderind for DSs.
http://www.amazon.com/Our-Constitution-Rocks-Juliette-Turner/dp/0310734215/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1350212972&sr=8-7&keywords=constitution

[oneplustwo]

Another vote for snap circuits! Thames and Kosmos makes amazing science kits so maybe take a look at those (Amazon has a nice selection to give you an idea).

[hillview]

DS1 loves the Usbourne history and science encyclopedia books
http://www.amazon.com/Usborne-Internet-Linked-Encyclopedia-World-History/dp/0746053614/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350216966&sr=1-3&keywords=usborne
http://www.amazon.com/Usborne-Internet-Linked-Science-Encyclopedia-Discovery/dp/0794503314/ref=sr_1_4?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350217032&sr=1-4&keywords=usborne+science

[karstmama]

is there a local kids museum? maybe a membership or a visit.

[Twoboos]

My kids enjoyed this science kit:

http://www.amazon.com/Scientific-Explorers-Magic-Science-Wizards/dp/B000NQMAFO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350218344&sr=8-1&keywords=Scientific+Explorer%27s+The+Magic+Science +for+Wizards+Only

[MichelleRC]

Snap circuits were a hit here, DS also loves the Usborne encyclopedias.

O Say Can You See was another great book--written by Shelia Keenan, and I am considering some of the Professor Noggin card games for the holidays.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00008W75T/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?ie=UTF8&smid=ATVPDKIKX0DER

[swissair81]

For a change from baking soda and vinegar, you can always try mentos and diet coke.

Science kit I got for DD1 (9.5) this past summer:
http://www.amazon.com/Be-Amazing-Toys-Big-Science/dp/B0034N7OZO/ref=sr_1_3?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1350224497&sr=1-3&keywords=science+kit

Monthly activity for my girls (9.5 and 5.5) to do together:
http://www.theyoungscientistsclub.com/themagicschoolbus/

About 2 years ago, DD1 became obsessed with the human body, so we got her a few different kits and books for Chanukah:
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dtoys-and-games&field-keywords=human+body
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1?url=search-alias%3Dtoys-and-games&field-keywords=human+body+book&rh=n%3A165793011%2Ck%3Ahuman+body+book

[katydid1971]

Google is offering the Young Scientist kits that PP mentioned for $120. We have been getting them and my 7 yo is really enjoying them. There is a lot to do and they send you an email before they are shipped telling you what books to read to support the kits. Since the books are Magic School Bus they are all available at the library.

https://www.google.com/offers/home?utm_source=ppo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailyppo&utm_content=primary&ss=0#!details/dcdb08976299ecb0/63W7Y2LC6PQKWOMJ;r=IWRldGFpbHMvZGIwYThhMzY3NzFmN2N kOS9BM09GWEsyVlBDQTdHVFZR

[urquie]

Google is offering the Young Scientist kits that PP mentioned for $120. We have been getting them and my 7 yo is really enjoying them. There is a lot to do and they send you an email before they are shipped telling you what books to read to support the kits. Since the books are Magic School Bus they are all available at the library.

https://www.google.com/offers/home?utm_source=ppo&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=dailyppo&utm_content=primary&ss=0#!details/dcdb08976299ecb0/63W7Y2LC6PQKWOMJ;r=IWRldGFpbHMvZGIwYThhMzY3NzFmN2N kOS9BM09GWEsyVlBDQTdHVFZR

Awesome, thanks!!!

[brittone2]

Snapcircuits
Thames and Kosmos
Lego We Do Robotics or Mindstorms
DK Eyewitness books
Nice pencils like Prismacolor combined with a nature sketchbook
Basher books http://www.amazon.com/Basher-Science-Library-3-Copy-Boxed/dp/075346652X/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1350255300&sr=1-2&keywords=basher+book
http://www.amazon.com/Basher-Science-Human-Body-Book/dp/0753465019/ref=pd_sim_b_2
http://www.amazon.com/Basher-Rocks-Minerals-Gem-Book/dp/0753463148/ref=pd_sim_b_7
Subscription to the Happy Scientist
http://thehappyscientist.com/1-year-subscription

History-Story of US on audiobook (may be a bit young for this)
Story of the World on mp3 or DVD
Jim Weiss audiobooks on various historical/literary topics (Shakespeare, Arabian Nights, Masters of the Renaissance, whatever you think she'd find interesting) http://www.amazon.com/Masters-Renaissance-Jim-Weiss/dp/B000OPOCHS

Fandex http://www.amazon.com/Painters-Masters-Western-Fandex-Family/dp/0761123598/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1350255048&sr=8-4&keywords=fandex
http://www.amazon.com/Mythology-Legends-Fandex-Family-Guides/dp/0761112073/ref=pd_sim_b_1

Scrambled States http://www.amazon.com/Gamewright-5505-Scrambled-States/dp/B0009XBY1W/ref=pd_sim_b_1

This series covers a lot of different topics. Some are better than others, but I like most of them
http://www.amazon.com/Masterpiece-An-Art-Alphabet-Books/dp/158536276X/ref=pd_sim_b_12
http://www.amazon.com/A-America-Devin-Scillian/dp/1585360155/ref=pd_sim_b_6

[ahisma]

I love this - perfect for a nature explorer: http://www.worlddiscoverybox.com/

For various reasons, the box wasn't exactly what we were looking for, but I loved the idea. I bought my DS this box: http://www.harborfreight.com/eight-drawer-wood-tool-chest-94538.html

He had plenty of his own specimens, but I added a few too from some local shops. We gifted it along with a microscope, some slides and a few books - it was a huge hit!

[ellies mom]

For various reasons, the box wasn't exactly what we were looking for, but I loved the idea. I bought my DS this box: http://www.harborfreight.com/eight-drawer-wood-tool-chest-94538.html

He had plenty of his own specimens, but I added a few too from some local shops. We gifted it along with a microscope, some slides and a few books - it was a huge hit!

That is so cool!!! What a wonderful gift.

[brittone2]

That is so cool!!! What a wonderful gift.
:yeahthat:

We have a big antique bookshelf/cabinet with glass doors that I use as a "cabinet of curiosities" for the kids. We have seashells, bees' nests, a bird nest, slides, driftwood, etc. This wooden toolbox thing would be cool to put on top of it. I always want to pick up this curriculum that can be used with your own specimens, but would love to see it in person first.

http://the-private-eye.com/index.html

[ellies mom]

:yeahthat:

We have a big antique bookshelf/cabinet with glass doors that I use as a "cabinet of curiosities" for the kids. We have seashells, bees' nests, a bird nest, slides, driftwood, etc. This wooden toolbox thing would be cool to put on top of it. I always want to pick up this curriculum that can be used with your own specimens, but would love to see it in person first.

http://the-private-eye.com/index.html

Wow, how fun would that be! I think I see some louper's in the girl's Christmas stockings this year.

[sariana]

Do you/they have a Costco? They have a science set of three things (volcano and two others--can't remember and can't go look right now b/c DS is home--he's 8 and I got it for him for Christmas).

He also has Snap Circuits from a class he took this summer, and I fourth (fifth? sixth?) that recommendation.

[hbridge]

Thank you all for the fantastic recommendations :)!

We are just getting back into Snap Circuits around here. DH is spearheading the effort to create circuits so it's been great to see them back in circulation.

The "Basher Science" books are also a hit. DC purchased two with a gift card over the weekend and LOVES them!

We've also just discovered the Steve Spangler web site and I'm drooling over a few things.

I so much appreciate all the help.