By Blog Editor Susan Wells
Do you have a pint-sized scientist in your life? Do they want to set up a mad scientist laboratory in your kitchen?
We meet so many parents, grandparents and other influential adults who know a child who is obsessed with science. These supportive adults are constantly looking for new ways to inspire their budding scientist, even if they themselves, are either scientists themselves or completely clueless in the world of science.
One question we are asked a lot is – what do I give the kid who loves science to keep that love alive?
Here are a few suggestions to think outside the box and away from plastic toys and video games.
We sell several different types of all-in-one science kits for kids of all ages, interests and price ranges. Here are the kits, as a mom, I recommend as the best science gifts.
1. Splash of Color Kit $7.99
Perfect for ages 2 and up. No science experience needed! How fast can you mix 24 different colors using only red, yellow and blue water? Combine art and science as students experiment by adding droplets of primary colors to the 24 tiny mixing cups and create an amazing splash of rainbow colors! Discover how to mix a rainbow of colors, and learn how scientists keep track of portions when they experiment with different colors and materials. Once the mixing is done, don’t throw your masterpiece down the drain! Pull out a bag of Water Jelly Crystals and drop a pebble-size crystal into each of the compartments. In just a few minutes, you will end up with 24 jiggly, jelly-like crystals in all the colors you made! This kit will need adult supervision – it contains tiny pieces. Older kids will also have a ton of fun mixing colors and making jelly crystals.
2. Six Test Tubes in a Rack $19.99
Perfect for new or inexperienced scientists ages 4 to 12 (and beyond). Seasoned scientists will also enjoy the activities. Each unbreakable test tube in this kit holds materials for one experiment that can be done over and over. Experiment with a growing alligator, ooey gooey jelly crystals, bubbling potions, magic sand that stays dry under water, color-changing beads, polymer plants, a test tube rainbow and erupting snow! Each test tube is a stand alone experiment with easy to understand instructions and simple science explanations. This kit does contain small pieces.
3. Big Bag of Science $39.99
Perfect for seasoned scientists ages 5 and up. Also good for scientists that like a lot of different activities. If you’ve ever wanted to make your own laboratory, look no further than this bag of science secrets. This kit contains over 60 different experiments in a reusable bag. Blast off with a soda explosion from a Geyser Tube‚ learn about the science of polymers including giant spheres, growing crystals, and Insta-Snow, learn about acids and bases, or even make your own slime… over 70 activities in all! The Big Bag of Science uses materials covering multiple fields of science to help develop specific skills. You’ll use physical science, chemistry, life science, and biology to learn about observation techniques, measurements, experimentation, and classifcation.
- Lab coat (can be made by cutting the front of a man’s white t-shirt for an inexpensive coat)
- Science Experiment books
- Safety glasses
- Test tubes
- Graduated Cylinders
- Beaker Meep! Meep!
- Pipettes or Eye Droppers
- Petri Dishes
- Goldenrod Paper
- Heat Sensitive Paper
- Rocks & Minerals
- Geyser Tube
- Tornado Tube
- Color Changing Tablets
- Plastic bags
- Paper towels
- Plastic bin for storage and containing messes