The National Geographic Explorer Science Series Earth Science Kit Review

Reviewed by Sandip

I was lucky enough to be chosen to receive and review The National Geographic Explorer Science Series, Earth Science Kit. This kit is designed for children aged 8 and over. I have 2 kids aged 6 and 9 but they both had great fun playing with this science kit. There are quite a few activities and experiments to do with the kids.  When we first opened the box there were 2 packs and the information leaflets. We have had quite a few science kits in the past and my husband is a secondary school science teacher. My husband was really impressed with the leaflets and the information layout which was great to follow. Some of the kits we’ve had in the past have boring looking booklets for kids, or thin sheets of paper which cheapen the look of the kit, but these ones were well laid out, easy to follow and good quality paper. The information booklet for the gem kits was great and definitely a guide that we will keep after all the experiments have long gone and the fact that you have the gem stones in a handy little box is great. There is a lovely mixture of stones including a pretty geode and a tiger’s eye stone. We noticed that some of the stones were missing from the box but quickly figured out that they were ‘discovered’ by excavating the brick in the kit. As a tip parent to parent, put some newspaper or old cardboard down as some of the activities can get a bit messy but that’s half the fun with the kids!

The kids also enjoyed growing their own, bright green crystal. Unfortunately, this wasn’t an instant grow and takes 7 days to fully grow but they enjoyed checking on the crystal each morning. As it’s a bright, green crystal we called it Kryptonite!  The biggest draw of this kit is the volcano! You have to mould and paint the volcano before you do the eruption activity but the kids enjoyed making the volcano too as they also enjoy craft. Some of the paint work does rub off during the eruption but there is plenty of paint to touch up the volcano afterwards.

The great thing about this kit was, with the exception of two 2 litre plastic bottles to make the tornados, everything else you need for the experiments is in the kit itself which is great. We have had a few kits in the past where you have to source bits yourself which is frustrating when you have set aside time and told the kids you are going to have a go at the kit. This kit is great in that once we decided we were going to do our experiments, we were good to go.
The kit is aged for 8+ year olds but even for my 9 year old, we needed to help her out with a few bits and I wouldn’t just want to leave her to it on her own. However, because we were helping out, my 6 year old also enjoyed himself.
If you have a child that is interested in Science, Geology and craft, they will seriously enjoy this. It’s an interesting, well thought out kit that will make a great wet weekend, or half term activity.

Rating: 4/5

RRP: £24.99

This product can be purchased from Very here.