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Science Gifts For Kids?

Posted by ScuttleMonkey on from the explosives-always-go-over-well dept.

beernutmark writes "I have two science-loving kids ages 7 and 9. My youngest knew Neil deGrasse Tyson's name at age 4. With the holidays coming up, I am looking to get them some quality science-related tools. Two items on the list are a quality microscope and/or a real rock-hounding kit. I am looking for any other gift suggestions for this year or future years (or even for younger kids for other readers) and hints on good sources."

4 of 368 comments (clear)

  1. Lots of things by spribyl · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Try

    Think Geek
    American Science and surplus.
    HobbyTron(Ramsey)

    Some gifts
    Lego
          Mind Storms.
        Any thing with gears and wheels.
    Lincoln logs
    Erector Sets

  2. Electronics Set by emandres · · Score: 3, Interesting

    This isn't exactly astronomy related like Niel deGrass Tyson's stuff, but when I was a kid I got an electronics set, complete with a bread-board, several LED's, a rheostat, heaps and heaps of resistors and capacitors, and several other things having to do with digital and analog circuitry. That was one of the best Christmas presents I ever got, and still from time to time wish I had it to pull out and tinker with. I remember one time I probably could have burned the house down had I not smelled the melting plastic on the set. What happened was that I had learned at school how to make an electromagnet out of a battery, a coil of wire, and a nail. Well, I did the same thing with the set when I got home, but then left it on for about an hour. As you well may know, connecting the two terminals of a battery without any resistor can cause the batteries to overheat, and most likely rupture. I think I probably caught the thing just before the batteries broke, because they were very hot. Anyway, I'm rambling, but you get the idea: I learned to love tinkering with electronics as a kid, and now am majoring in Computer Science.

    --
    The only way to tell the difference between a hamster and a gerbil is that the hamster has more white meat.
  3. Re:Anonymous Coward by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I would have to agree. They have a very nice USB microscope that would allow your kids to take pictures and even movies of what they see. It's much more interactive than an ordinary microscope.

    Matt

  4. Re:Anonymous Coward by andyring · · Score: 4, Interesting

    I had earlier versions of these:

    http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3814337#

    as a kid and learned a ton. Loved those kits!