National Geographic Cool Reactions Chemistry Set Review
DISCLOSURE – THIS ITEM WAS GIFTED TO THE REVIEWER FOR THE PURPOSES OF WRITING THE REVIEW. ALL THOUGHTS AND OPINIONS ARE THE REVIEWER’S OWN.
Reviewed by Kathy Sanderson
https://shop.natgeokids.co.uk/
I recently had the pleasure of trying out the National Geographic Cool Reactions Chemistry Kit with my 10-year-old son, and I must say it was a fun experience! It’s been a while since we’ve done something just the two of us, so I was really looking forward to it. The first thing I noticed was how neat and compact the box was—everything we needed was included, and it wasn’t overwhelming in size or content, which made it perfect for an at-home activity. The kit came with detailed instructions that my son had no trouble following; in fact, he was genuinely enthusiastic about reading them out loud.
We started things off with the first experiment, learning about acidic and alkaline reactions. This was a brilliant way to introduce the concept of pH to my son, and the inclusion of litmus paper allowed us to test pH values, which he found fascinating and enjoyed matching to the guide supplied. It made the science interactive and fun, and he enjoyed seeing the results. The educational value here was excellent, making complex science accessible and engaging for kids.
One standout moment was writing a secret message using the kit. This simple yet fun activity involved using chemicals to reveal the hidden message, adding a sense of magic and discovery to the process. I loved seeing his face light up as the message appeared—it was a delightful break from typical screen time, giving us both a chance to connect and learn together.
The grand finale of our kit experience was creating a purple fizzing volcano, which was definitely my son’s favourite part. As the liquid erupted out of the container, his eyes lit up with excitement. We watched together as the liquid bubbled and foamed over, creating a fun, hands-on way to explore chemical reactions. The best part? We had enough materials to repeat the experiment a few times, which kept the fun going for even longer. The experiments were easy to set up and clean up, which is always a bonus when doing chemistry at home!
A nice touch to the kit was the inclusion of safety goggles, which my son thought were incredibly cool! He proudly wore them throughout the experiments, feeling like a real scientist. He’s since claimed them as his own and keeps them in his bedroom as a memento of our fun science day. The goggles were a fantastic addition, reinforcing the importance of safety while adding an extra level of excitement.
The kit is recommended for children aged 8 and up, and from my experience, I would agree. My 10-year-old was thoroughly entertained and learned a lot, but I suspect my 12-year-old daughter might not have been as engaged. The experiments are pitched perfectly for younger children with a growing curiosity about science, but they definitely need adult supervision.
Priced at £16.99, this kit is still incredibly good value for the amount of fun and education it offers. It’s affordable, well-designed, and provides enough variety in its experiments to keep children engaged. I would happily purchase another one of these kits in the future, as it gave us a chance to bond and explore science in a way that was both educational and fun.
Overall, I would give this kit a solid 5 out of 5. It was enjoyable, informative, and a brilliant way to bond with my son. If you’re looking for a hands-on activity to do with your child, I highly recommend the National Geographic Cool Reactions Chemistry Kit.
Rating: 5/5
RRP: £16.99 this product can be purchased direct from National Geographic website at https://shop.natgeokids.co.uk/product/cool-reactions-chemistry-kit/