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Christmas

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Chemistry set - loads on the market but any good ones?

8 replies

SuePurblybiltFromBitsofCorpses · 30/10/2011 13:09

For a five yo but she's quite bright so if it says 6+ I wouldn't panic. She wants to do experiments but is not interested in the more specific ones like the bath bomb makers. An old-fashioned one with tubes of colourful fizzing stuff is what we need Grin. Any ideas please and thanks? I've googled obviously but I don't know a good one from a bad...

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Munkiii · 30/10/2011 13:28

How lovely to have her interested in science from such a young age! As a science teacher this always makes me happy hear.

Unfortunately all the decent whizz bang sets are for at least 8+ but depending on what you think you could always get a basic salters one?

There are a lot of crap ones on the market, but anything from the national geographic will be excellent. There is a good potato clock one included in the boots 3 for 2 offer.

Equally, the science museum has an online shop with decent kits.

Finally, the Richard Hammond ones look good, as he has a huge input into the contents and is passionate about science education.

There are lots of excellent ideas for at home science experiments on the Planet Science website too.

The classic make a volcano is good fun, all you need is bicarbonate of soda and some cheap vinegar. Adding some food dye and a little detergent makes it even more bubbly. You can also make an impressive lava lamp but getting a big cylinder, an empty clear bottle works. Half fill with cheap oil and top up with water. The night before make some ice cubes with food dye in them and when you out them in the cylinder you will see oil covered droplets float down until they get to the oil water interface when they will burst.

I can't wait for my baby to be old enough to do these with!

HTH.

Munkiii · 30/10/2011 13:29

Sorry about all the typos..... Got a bit carried away! Grin

MindtheGappp · 30/10/2011 13:29

I would just buy the chemicals separately, tbh. You can also get the necessary glassware and safety equipment separate.

SuePurblybiltFromBitsofCorpses · 30/10/2011 13:33

We've done the volcano (in her dinosaur phase Grin and lots of melty-freezy activities. Am very tempted to buy a bottle of coke and some Mintoes and then that's my scientific knowledge done Grin. I'm OK on the nature side but chemistry is not a strong point.
I will go and trawl your suggestions, thanks so much. Will be back...

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Binfullofmaggotsonthe45 · 30/10/2011 15:32

Hi, i loved my chemistry set, and it was a Thomas Salter one but I was about 9 yrs old and after looking for one for my 6 yo ds i have settled on a kitchen experiment one. You are right about the age restrictions and this one is for an older child.

www.amazon.co.uk/John-Adams-Science-Kitchen-Chemistry/dp/B0023QSZ0Q/ref=sr_1_4?s=kids&ie=UTF8&qid=1319988466&sr=1-4

If not, how about a semi decent microscope, where she can create her own slides for hair, skin, blood etc?

I loved my first microscope and went on to do Biology, chemistry and food science at A level, as it did get me all fired up!

Lindax · 30/10/2011 20:25

have bought this book for ds (7). Hoping get inspiration from it.

Reviews look good, just hope the "using easily-sourced materials" is true.

KatharineClifton · 31/10/2011 00:50

Happy to hear the Richard Hammond ones are good as I bought them on the strength of his books. I was amazed to find how great they are!

SuePurblybiltFromBitsofCorpses · 31/10/2011 08:29

The kitchen one does look like the best bet atm. She wants the colourdy beakers and things that go pfft but they're all 10+ and will be too much for her.

Gap in the market for you science types there....... Grin

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