Gift suggestions for 5yo DD that loves rocks!

[WitMom]

I'm trying to come up with some good Christmas ideas for my 5 yo DD that loves, loves, loves rocks. I thought about a rock polisher or tumbler or whatever they're called, and while I don't know much about them, the ones I've researched seem like they'd be better for an older child. They seem like some serious equipment in some cases. Also, the ones I've come across take weeks to produce a finished product...I'm not sure if she's going to have the patience to wait that long for an "end product".

So....any good ideas? Or if you know about rock polishers and can give me the 411, that would be great, too.

[123LuckyMom]

I had a tumbler as a kid. It takes FOREVER for the rocks to change in any way. I never really used it. How about getting her a collection of geods or something.

Like this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B002O07JLW/ref=redir_mdp_mobile/191-7670878-2585800?ref_=cm_sw_em_r_am_ip_am_us

Or this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B004Y7Q806/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?ref_=cm_sw_em_r_am_ip_am_us

I typed geodes into amazon and found some cool ideas.

[roseyloxs]

DS is a fan of rocks too so I added these to his Amazon wish list. Obviously I don't actually have them so I can't comment on how cool or lame they are but the reviews look good. DS is 5.5 but with some safety goggles and parental supervision the suggested age range doesn't bother me.

http://www.amazon.com/Gem-Center-U-S-A-BYOGTR-Geodes/dp/B000W7NP8U

http://www.amazon.com/Break-Tennis-Ancient-Treasure-Adventures/dp/B005KBMCL4

[ljackson]

Do you live near a museum with a mineralogy (?) section? If so, the museum shop would be a good place to look.

[infomama]

Don't get a tumbler. As pp said...it's dirty, noisy and takes forever. Dd2 loves rocks so I went to a local museum and got a huge bag of them.
Here are some more ideas...
www.amazon.com/Toysmith-3564-Crystal-Mining-Kit/dp/B000HGJJGI/ref=pd_bxgy_t_img_y
www.amazon.com/Break-Your-Geodes-Quality-Whole/dp/B003TUC6RS/ref=pd_sim_t_6
www.amazon.com/Smithsonian-Handbooks-Rocks-Minerals/dp/0789491060/ref=pd_sim_t_5

[WitMom]

Thanks everyone. I have seen the geode kits before but had forgotten all about them. I think that looks like a fun option. And I think we'll probably pass on the polisher/tumbler. It sounds like so much fun in theory, but in practice, I think it will just be an exercise in frustration.

[ahisma]

We bought this for my DS to house his nature collection, which is predominately rocks and shells since we're on the beach for most of the winter. It has been fantastic!!

http://www.harborfreight.com/eight-drawer-wood-tool-chest-94538.html

We got a couple of rock books with it too, one general one and one Lake MI based one.

This is also a neat option. We haven't tried it, but the woman at the local crystal shop (go figure - it's a great spot for buying rocks for kids) said that kids 3+ really love it: http://www.mi-made.com/product/779/petoskey-stone-polishing-kit

[WitMom]

Thanks ahisma...those look great, too. We have been to Lake Superior and she LOVES it there. The Lake Michigan thing could sort of tie into that. And maybe we could use it as an excuse to take a trip to another of the Great Lakes. Hmmm, I'm liking this!

[kristac]

If you are looking for a bigger gift these are cool-
http://worlddiscoverybox.com/

Or you could make your own.

[WitMom]

The Discovery box looks great, too. But I have to admit, the video with "Enzo" is what sold me. He is too cute!

[brittone2]

Rainbow Resource sells nice mineral/rock samples.

http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/sku/002277/f7b1af328eaba37b26800cfc

Something like that could be cool paired with a jeweler's loupe or nice magnifying glass and some books.

We have a cabinet of curiosities type of thing in our living room with various specimens, etc. including a set similar to the one above. We also keep shells, a geode, agate slices, etc. in there for the kids to examine.