Scientific Explorer’s Mind Blowing Science Kit

Manufacturer’s recommended age: 4 to 8 years
My recommended age: Same

My almost-seven-year-old son, Milo, is not into sports. He doesn’t go for Transformers or Star Wars or many of the toys that his counterparts are drawn to. He does, however, fancy science. A lot. He’s a data hound. An experiment junky.

And, for Christmas this year, he received his perfect gift, Scientific Explorer’s Mind Blowing Science Kit.

The name might be a little misleading. No minds were actually blown. Nothing crazily spectacular happened. We weren’t left with molten lava dripping from our ceiling. But this kit is entertaining, educational and fun.

It includes activities like testing various household substances to determine if they’re acid or base, making a volcano (albeit a small one), and mixing safe chemicals to see colors change. The experiments are simple. The instruction booklet is well thought out and helps inspire dialogue between you and your child about scientific principles. And the exercises were sequenced to start with easier experiments and build to more complex ones.

The makers of this kit were generous with quantities and there is enough to do most experiments a few times.

This science kit, though, is not something most moms are going to be able to whip out of the cupboard, give her child and expect them to stay independently busy for hours. It requires adult supervision.

Still, if you’re looking for a fun, interactive box ‘o simple science that will provide you and your child something educational to do together, this is a great kit. We’ll be looking into more products by this manufacturer.