Kiddos love chemistry. No, they aren’t going to learn how to balance equations or name elements; they want to mess with mixtures and solutions. Make them a simple kit. Save coffee cans to hold supplies. Add yogurt cups or 3-oz cups. What else do you need? Keep scrolling! I usually buy in bulk for science camp. These kits make great presents, too.
First, set a set of test tubes. Buy a bag of 100, plastic culture tubes (12x 60mm) if you’re planning to use them for gifts or a camp. These should fit into a cassette case. (Ask the thrift store to save you cassette cases.)
Yes, you can buy cassette cases, too. They hold plastic pipettes, too. The first time I saw a cassette case used as a rack I was enthralled. Who thought of it? Genius!
Pipettes are fun to add to a kit. Too! Kiddos love to play with them. Generally, I buy a box of 500 for Co-op.
You may want to splurge and buy test tube sets—especially if you’re making up only one or two kits.
Clothespins make excellent test tube holders.
Funnels, paint palettes (reaction plates), and wood stir sticks add to a quality kit.
Graduated cylinder are also a nice addition—if you can find a good deal! The 10 mL cylinders will fit into with all the other equipment in the coffee cans.
One optional item is a balance scale. We use coins as weights (coin specifications) and cupcake liners instead of weigh boats. For example, 5g of a substance is two pennies. Could we just use digital scales? Certainly. However, your children are using math and deductive reasoning instead.
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