Mad Science: Is Steve Spangler’s Amazing Scientist Lab Kit a good buy?

Kudos to Steve Spangler!  The man produces fun kits!  Right now, Spangler is promoting summer science camps.  One camp kit is the Amazing Scientist Laboratory at $34.99.  Is this a good price?  The kit has large test tubes; these are plastic bottle preforms, 2L bottles before air is blown into them to hold liquids, such as soda.  Six test tubes and a rack retail for $10.95.  (Spangler sells Baby Soda Bottles and racks separately on his web site.). The kit has a reaction plate (retail is $2.95), Petri dish ($1.20), water beads ($2.25), fizzy color tablets (4.95), and Alka-Seltzer tablets ($8.42 for a box of 72).  This kit is priced fairly.   Do you have one child or a large family or group?  The kit has a few color and Alka-Seltzer tablets.  Skip the preforms (baby soda bottles) and  buy test tubes and racks. Ziploc bags, plastic cups, or empty yogurt containers cost even less than Petri dishes, reaction plates, and test tubes.  (Mix with craft sticks.). Gel crystals are cheaper than water marbles.  (Soil Moist or Water Absorbing crystals may be cheaper at the garden store. Lowe’s carries Soil Moist.). Substitute paint pigment for pricey fizzy color tablets.  Yes, I think the fizzy color tablets are cool, too.  Try making bath bombs instead.  Tint the baking soda, citric acid, or Epsom salts be for mixing them together.  Buy a giant box of Alka-Seltzer for Lava Lamps and Alka-rockets.  Spangler’s kits are priced fairly—but you can stretch $35 further by focusing on supplies.