What Chemistry set should I get my 3rd grader?

[thescrappyhomeschooler]

I'd really like to get my 8 yr. old a chemistry set for the holidays, since he's really interested in our study of chemistry this year. I'd like him to be able to make some chemical reactions and have some fun.

 

Any recommendations?

 

Thanks.

[katilac]

Ugh, chemistry sets STINK these days. I paid $75 for one, and the wow and education factors were minimal at best.

 

I really think you would do better by googling chemistry experiments, making a list, and buying the supplies. Make.com sells chemicals, if you go for the more esoteric stuff. ime, kids of all ages really like:

 

*litmus solution, changing colors and testing items

 

*elephant toothpaste (I had a group of kids spend an hour experimenting with different strengths of peroxide and catalysts, they loved it)

 

*gak, slime

 

*insta-snow

 

*diet coke and mentos (of course!)

 

*tons more on the internet, steve spangler, etc

 

You can get QUITE a lot of one-purpose kits and chemicals for $75 :001_huh:

[thescrappyhomeschooler]

Thanks. I do have some cool chemistry experiment books, but I was thinking of something Santa could put under the tree. I had a feeling the chemistry sets aren't as cool as they were when I was a kid back in the dark ages.

[katilac]

Thanks. I do have some cool chemistry experiment books, but I was thinking of something Santa could put under the tree. I had a feeling the chemistry sets aren't as cool as they were when I was a kid back in the dark ages.

 

Maybe you can get something like the Be Amazing Chemistry Kit that doesn't cost much, but has the test tubes and a small amount of chemicals/experiments - there are usually several in the stores for Christmas shopping that have the 'chemistry set look.' Bundle it with some other small science kits, like the Insta-snow, Mentos Geyser, etc.

 

You just don't gain a whole lot more by getting the expensive "chemistry set" vs the cheaper kit.

[Jennifer3141]

Thanks. I do have some cool chemistry experiment books, but I was thinking of something Santa could put under the tree. I had a feeling the chemistry sets aren't as cool as they were when I was a kid back in the dark ages.

 

I will never forget the blue cloud my brother and I made by mixing sulfur and whatever else we felt like and my parents coming home, opening the door, and getting chased out of their house by a blue cloud entity that smelled like rotten eggs. Wow, the fun we had with that set!!! :D

[hsmom2011]

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