To put chemicals in a party bag?

[BirthdayPlans]

I'm thinking of doing a science party for DS. Children aged 7-9. Debating the idea of doing a couple of experiments with them. DS wants to grow crystals but that takes too long. But I did wonder about us growing some seed crystals and then giving them out with a small sachet (plus instructions plus warnings) to grow them larger at home.

The shop packaged sets are a bit expensive to buy one each, so it would be cheaper to buy a larger amount and package it myself.

Yay or nay?

Tbh I'd stick to sweets & cake. There aren't many parents that would thank you for more crap and mess in their house.

I think it sounds like a fab idea

Don't put the chemicals in, design some leaflets or booklets explaining how to do it yourself.

Worst case scenario is one of the kids eats it. If that’s fine (I’ve no idea what’s in them!) then I’d say go for it, but otherwise probably best to steer clear. Or any chance they could stain furniture / clothes?

I’d be very cautious in relation to kids eating it / allergic reactions / staining carpets etc
But if you can clear those hurdles then go for it, it’s a cool idea

Hey if you go to pound toy online you can get little crystal growing sets for a pound each. I ordered loads for an event and I used a code (FRIEND10, I think, but was about a month ago) and got another 10% off....that makes them 90p each....would that be in budget? Think it would be easier?

Don't do it, a younger sibling could get hold of the party bag and eat the chemicals.

Potential disaster. Parents wont like it. Could be dangerous

No. DD had a science party and came home with some homemade slime, it ended up all over the carpet and won't come out. I have actually done actvities in schools on crystals though - I get a load of geodes and let (heavily supervised!) kids crack them with hammers which is very popular in that age group :)

You can grow salt crystals easily too - you could send home the bits you need to do it and instructions but let the parents decide if they want to do it and add the salt.

That way - no nasty chemicals to worry about but no difficult things for the parents to source if they do want to do this at home.

I think Mumsnet overthinks party bags.

Some sweets and maybe a toy that the kid won’t be devastated about if binned. Like a yo-yo.

We had a science party and sent them all home with a science book
Not this one but similar https://www.thebookpeople.co.uk/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/qsproductt_tbp?productId=784484&catalogId=10051&catId=48113&pageNumber=1
And a test tube full of sweets
Got plastic test tubes and caps on amazon.
It was easy and gave them a window into more science stuff without being messy or asking parents to do anything. They also got to keep the paper lab coats they had been wearing.

Kids loved it. Science party was really really great btw hope your kids enjoy it.

Your party is an excellent idea I did a Science party for my DS and his friends when they were around 6 and there's loads of great stuff you can do. Please don't be put off and feel free to DM me if you want.

Fro Party bags though I'd steer clear of chemicals. In ours we gave cake a bag of sweets some science based stickers and...er... a bar of soap....

The soap was for an experiment which we did at the party but was easy to do at home and I gave them booklets with all the experiments we'd done and the ingredients list and instructions so they could repeat any that they wanted to.

Happy to send you my things if you want any help, input or suggestions

toxic chemicals without proper packaging for seven year olds? You'll be like the mother who sent peanuts to the bake sale. Don't do it, someone will react badly (whether or not they ingest the toxin)

like @wonkylegs I too had them all in protective clothing but opted for the white all in one onesie type things (like on CSI etc.) theoretically they got to keep them but in reality they got quite messy so we took them off them before hand washing and tea eating.

I like wonkylegs suggestion.

I think any games / toys in party bags only work if they are instantly fun. I don’t think a chemistry experiment does the job.

Personally, I only like books and edibles. Other stuff ends up strewn around the house till it makes its way to the bin. Which seems a bit of a waste,

What did you use to try to get it out Bearsinmotion?

Don't do it. Do something like sweets in a test tube and science book, like a pp suggested.

Just be aware that a parent won't assume they need to check the contents of the party bag before driving home in a car so won't know to be careful. When we go to a party and get a party bag I let DS hold it, he gets in the car I buckle him in and we drive off and he investigates the party bag while we are driving. If you insist on doing it, make sure you tell EVERY PARENT that there are chemicals in the bag and to make sure it needs to be supervised. Otherwise there may well be an dangerous incident.

Got to agree, chemicals in party bags = fraught with potential for things to Go Wrong.

I like the idea of making up little booklets with the simplest of home-made kitchen experiments though - elephant's toothpaste, home volcanos, those sort of things. Most people will have things like bicarb and vinegar in their homes, won't they? and peroxide and potassium permanganate are usually really easy to buy at the chemist.

I also like the party idea but definitely warn the parents before hand so they don't send their DC in their best clothes!

Oh FFS - copper sulphate crystals rock!

nooo don't do it.

If you could source the overnight ones like the trees, that might be OK, but I suspect not in budget. For your son it's great, he's keen. But for those who aren't particularly, it's a very slow burner and a pain for parents. Wouldn't you just be giving them salt or washing soda or something anyway?

There must be all sorts of funky science gifts you could do instead. Home made gizmos that balance in ways that defy belief, blowpipes that suspend a ball in midair, something glowstick related, Jacob's ladders, mini rubiks snakes.

I would definitely NOT. It's unnecessary. Stick to cake and like a PP has said, science-themed sweets or whatever. The party is the science bit, the party bag really doesn't need to contain science

My 3 year old is often found delving in the remnants of older siblings' party bags. It's not just the kids you are sending home with these crystals you have to think about, it's any other toddler/baby or whatever in the household. Parents wouldn't be expecting chemicals in a party bag. Just not worth the worry.

I too think the default for party bags is that kids will eat anything that looks edible...at at least some things that don't. So I would only consider doing this its a very small group and you can give the chemicals direct to parents with an explanation.

Sounds like an awesome party though! Definitely going to persuade DD to do this for her next birthday.

I think it’s a great idea. Maybe warn parents so they do whatever they need. You can get Crystal growing trees which are brilliant. Instant snow also lots of fun. This is why we have snowflake generation...

No, bad idea