mmasc Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 I want to get my 9 year old DS a chemistry experiment set for Christmas. He's very interested in science and I'd like a kit he can use fairly independently. I've looked online at the Thames and Kosmos ChemC1000 kit. I will be around to assist if needed, but he'd enjoy it much more if he could experiment by himself. We already do some fun experiments like mixing baking soda with vinegar, making polymer slime, etc. So my main questions are: Will this kit add anything interesting to what we are already doing? Is it a good kit/worth the money? (Reviews online are mixed) If not, any other kit recommendations? Thank you! ETA: Changed title. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leav97 Posted October 24, 2014 Share Posted October 24, 2014 :lurk5: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmasc Posted October 25, 2014 Author Share Posted October 25, 2014 Anybody? I'm science-challenged and would appreciate your opinions. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Julie of KY Posted October 25, 2014 Share Posted October 25, 2014 I find most kits are fun for a bit, but wear off quickly. I like Brain Rohrig's books 150 Captivating Chemistry Experiments using Household Substances as well as 150 More... http://www.amazon.com/Captivating-Chemistry-Experiments-Household-Substances/dp/0971848025 I love teaching hands-on science classes and this is one of my favorite sources for younger kids (and older as well). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodland Mist Academy Posted October 27, 2014 Share Posted October 27, 2014 I just bought the ChemC3000 kit for dd13. I looked at a bunch of kits and decided it was closest to what we wanted. We haven't used it yet, but I'm pretty impressed with the kit and the lab manual. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EndOfOrdinary Posted October 28, 2014 Share Posted October 28, 2014 We are Thames and Cosmos addicts here. Currently we own : solar physics workshop, physics workshop, Chem 3000, Wind Power, Electricity and Magnetism, & the Powerhouse. My son frequently uses them, sets them aside for a while, then goes back. One of their best qualities , IMHO, is their ability to be used and reused over and over. The only one that was disappointing was the Powerhouse. It was a lot of hype for a styrophome, highly crumbly mess. Other complaints I have heard which are similar involve the perfume kits and some of the other kitschy ones. When it comes down to the actual hardcore science kits, we love them. If you can spring for the upgrades, do it. You won't be sorry. However they are spendy so I can understand if getting the 1000 is much more in price range than the 3000. Ours are always birthday and Christmas gifts too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mmasc Posted October 28, 2014 Author Share Posted October 28, 2014 Thank you so much for the replies! I may have to check out the 3000 kit now. ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Goldilocks Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 We have both the 3000 and 1000. The 1000 is fine, but my ds was very excited by the extras in the 3000 kit, such as the cooler goggles and the bunsen burner. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SparklyUnicorn Posted October 29, 2014 Share Posted October 29, 2014 We have chem 3000. It's working out great. But it is not something I'd care to have my kid use independently. You need to burn stuff and mix some chemicals that aren't too healthy (stuff like cyanide). I don't know how chem 1000 and 3000 compare. My guess is 1000 only contains some of the beginning stuff. But even from the beginning it would be better to have supervision. You might like something like Lab in a Bag. Those are pretty cool and I did allow my kids to use those independently. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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