GAPeachie Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 I'm looking at a few things to order trying to spend my sons' accounts down. They are 5 and 6 (and will be 6 and 7 here shortly.) I'm looking for hands on science kits to put on my purchase order. So far I have a Crystal Growing Kit, a Geode kit that comes with a pick and goggles, a butterfly garden, Rootviewer Plant Kit, Hydrodome kit, Desert Hothouse Kit and an Amazing Moving Plant Kit. All of these are from Home Training Tools. I also have a rock collection coming. I don't really want to dissect animals or pellets at this point. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAPeachie Posted March 25, 2016 Author Share Posted March 25, 2016 Oh and I have snap circuits on the list too. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hermione310 Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 Snap Circuits is my top choice for educational bang for the buck. It's really fun and kids can learn so much while using it. We got a lot of mileage out of the butterfly garden too. It's one thing to read about metamorphosis -- but to see it is incredible. I nearly cried while watching the chrysalids break open, I was so moved. I was never able to get the RootViewer to grow. It was a total dud. I read many reviews online from users that had the same experience. Not sure it's worth the $$. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HomeAgain Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 My *favorite* are from Lakeshore Learning. They come in tubs, are reusable, and offer a range of experiments, worksheets, and demonstrations. They're also about $80 each for something that we go through in a month. :( They're well put together, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 (edited) http://www.amazon.com/GeoCentral-DGMY-Egypt-Mummy-Excavation/dp/B004GUSDAO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1458924435&sr=8-2&keywords=mummy+kit http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Dino-Excavation-Colors-Styles/dp/B00BGYQD1E/ref=lp_2592504011_1_10?srs=2592504011&ie=UTF8&qid=1458924519&sr=8-10 http://www.amazon.com/Ocean-Dig-Science-Kit-Collect/dp/B0093X63SS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458924586&sr=8-1&keywords=ocean+science+kids We had similar kits to the above, not those specific ones. But they look good. Here is a great book that we used for information and experiments: http://www.amazon.com/Awesome-Ocean-Science-Williamson-Kids/dp/0824967968/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1458924586&sr=8-12&keywords=ocean+science+kids Are you interested in educational games? Can you keep them if you order them with your funds? The following might be right for your older child more so right now. If so, I recommend these, all of which we have: http://www.amazon.com/Ampersand-Garden-Game/dp/B000TFMT3W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458924727&sr=8-1&keywords=the+garden+game http://www.amazon.com/Conceptual-Educational-Products-EQUATE-GAME/dp/B007FIC16Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1458924785&sr=8-2&keywords=equate+game http://www.amazon.com/Perspective-History-Time-Line-Game/dp/B000ZFSIMM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458924821&sr=8-1&keywords=perspective+game Also, if you are allowed to keep things for a few years, the fraction, decimal, and percent tiles from Lakeshore are fantastic. They are all color and size coordinated with each other, so you can teach equivalencies very easily. Total cost would be about $35. Here is the link for the fraction ones, and the other two are sidebarred in the product detail: http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/product/productDet.jsp?productItemID=1%2C689%2C949%2C371%2C893%2C511&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181113&bmUID=1458924897343 Edited March 25, 2016 by Carol in Cal. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAPeachie Posted March 25, 2016 Author Share Posted March 25, 2016 http://www.amazon.com/GeoCentral-DGMY-Egypt-Mummy-Excavation/dp/B004GUSDAO/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1458924435&sr=8-2&keywords=mummy+kit http://www.amazon.com/Baby-Dino-Excavation-Colors-Styles/dp/B00BGYQD1E/ref=lp_2592504011_1_10?srs=2592504011&ie=UTF8&qid=1458924519&sr=8-10 http://www.amazon.com/Ocean-Dig-Science-Kit-Collect/dp/B0093X63SS/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458924586&sr=8-1&keywords=ocean+science+kids We had similar kits to the above, not those specific ones. But they look good. Here is a great book that we used for information and experiments: http://www.amazon.com/Awesome-Ocean-Science-Williamson-Kids/dp/0824967968/ref=sr_1_12?ie=UTF8&qid=1458924586&sr=8-12&keywords=ocean+science+kids Are you interested in educational games? Can you keep them if you order them with your funds? The following might be right for your older child more so right now. If so, I recommend these, all of which we have: http://www.amazon.com/Ampersand-Garden-Game/dp/B000TFMT3W/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458924727&sr=8-1&keywords=the+garden+game http://www.amazon.com/Conceptual-Educational-Products-EQUATE-GAME/dp/B007FIC16Q/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&qid=1458924785&sr=8-2&keywords=equate+game http://www.amazon.com/Perspective-History-Time-Line-Game/dp/B000ZFSIMM/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1458924821&sr=8-1&keywords=perspective+game Also, if you are allowed to keep things for a few years, the fraction, decimal, and percent tiles from Lakeshore are fantastic. They are all color and size coordinated with each other, so you can teach equivalencies very easily. Total cost would be about $35. Here is the link for the fraction ones, and the other two are sidebarred in the product detail: http://www.lakeshorelearning.com/product/productDet.jsp?productItemID=1%2C689%2C949%2C371%2C893%2C511&ASSORTMENT%3C%3East_id=1408474395181113&bmUID=1458924897343 Yes, I can keep educational games, manipulatives, etc. I just can't sell them. I just did a huge purchase order with Lakeshore. I listed the root growing bags on Lakeshore... so I might take the Home Science Tools one off of my list. I put LOTS of hand on manipulatives from Lakeshore. I'll double check and see if I listed the tiles. I KNOW I put the circle fraction//percent/decimal set on there. We just moved yesterday so I need to find where my copies are. LOL I heard meh reviews about the Carnivorous Plants one too although DS would LOVE to see that. i found some periodicals that I'm going to submit and a video series of Popular Mechanics. I have a TON of books/readers on the lists too. And reference sets. The things I cannot do with the funds is pay for classes/co-op instruction fees or buy furniture. I can get the materials covered by outside instruction. I can buy videos of outside instruction. Just no actual instruction without Dept of Ed or Dept of Health coverage. And no paid for sports etc. I know, I know.... it's odd. But I'm thankful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 ScienceWiz kits are pretty good. How about an ant farm? I have heard good things about potato chip science, make your own chocolate kit, and others of the sort. We have never tried them though. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAPeachie Posted March 25, 2016 Author Share Posted March 25, 2016 ScienceWiz kits are pretty good. How about an ant farm? I have heard good things about potato chip science, make your own chocolate kit, and others of the sort. We have never tried them though. Thanks! I hadn't heard of Science Wiz before. My son has the "hands on/experiment bug" which is totally fine with me. I just need some help with assembling kits of materials and/or instructions. More open and go type things. There are quite a few that will fit in with the units I have planned. I can't wait! I did put an ant farm on the list. My husband is going to have a fit. LOL I'll have to check out potato chip science and the others. Thanks! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamakven Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 If you have LOTS of money to spend http://www.academyofscienceforkids.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
prairiewindmomma Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 We've enjoyed all of the Thames and Konos kits we've ever done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
athomeontheprairie Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 Not a science kit... But a stereo scope has been one of our favorite science purchases. But maybe you can't but that? (I assume this is charter funds?) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carol in Cal. Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 (edited) Have you ordered from Discount School Supply? They have great stuff for the younger ages. http://www6.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductList.aspx?category=0&keyword=science&scategoryid=All+Categories I especially like this magnifier on a stand. It's focussed at the height of the table it's on, and it's very durable. Plus kids can hold whatever they're studying in both hands because of the stand. http://www6.discountschoolsupply.com/Product/ProductDetail.aspx?product=32746&Category= Edited March 25, 2016 by Carol in Cal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Arcadia Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 Loupes and field binoculars if you don't have those already. This loupe set gets good reviews on the boards http://www.the-private-eye.com/html/materials/matmenu.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamamoose Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 Snap Circuits is my top choice for educational bang for the buck. It's really fun and kids can learn so much while using it. We got a lot of mileage out of the butterfly garden too. It's one thing to read about metamorphosis -- but to see it is incredible. I nearly cried while watching the chrysalids break open, I was so moved. I was never able to get the RootViewer to grow. It was a total dud. I read many reviews online from users that had the same experience. Not sure it's worth the $$. Where did you get the butterfly garden? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Susie in MS Posted March 25, 2016 Share Posted March 25, 2016 While we really did enjoy the butterfly garden and the cow eye, our absolute fav...and the one we have gotten the most out of...is our Nature Study bags. In them we put: binoculars homemade flower press with corrugated cardboard, paper, and rubber bands bug viewer or magnifying glass nature journal pencil color pencils small jars for collecting We have used this over and over, and will continue to do so. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAPeachie Posted March 26, 2016 Author Share Posted March 26, 2016 If you have LOTS of money to spend http://www.academyofscienceforkids.com Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh thanks!!!!!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAPeachie Posted March 26, 2016 Author Share Posted March 26, 2016 We've enjoyed all of the Thames and Konos kits we've ever done. Thames and Kosmos? That is an interesting site too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAPeachie Posted March 26, 2016 Author Share Posted March 26, 2016 Loupes and field binoculars if you don't have those already. This loupe set gets good reviews on the boards http://www.the-private-eye.com/html/materials/matmenu.html Oh good thought! I do have lots of nature study type things planned (with writing about our observations.) But I forgot binoculars! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAPeachie Posted March 26, 2016 Author Share Posted March 26, 2016 While we really did enjoy the butterfly garden and the cow eye, our absolute fav...and the one we have gotten the most out of...is our Nature Study bags. In them we put: binoculars homemade flower press with corrugated cardboard, paper, and rubber bands bug viewer or magnifying glass nature journal pencil color pencils small jars for collecting We have used this over and over, and will continue to do so. I have a nature journal, net and magnifying glass. Good thoughts! I'll add them to my list. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GAPeachie Posted March 26, 2016 Author Share Posted March 26, 2016 Not a science kit... But a stereo scope has been one of our favorite science purchases. But maybe you can't but that? (I assume this is charter funds?) It's actually a personalized scholarship fund that homeschoolers can access. I'm not sure if I can, but I can always ask! :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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