10 Minute Science Kit

Dirty D &  I enjoy watching Phineas and Ferb.  My fave character is poor Dr. Doofenshmertz (doubt I spelled that right!) because I just feel so bad, he tries so hard to be bad, but is always quite unsuccessful.  He's actually pretty loveable.  My son, however, loves the 'experiments' on the show, and has been asking me to help him put together a science kit that he can use on his own, in his own way to make potions and conduct his own personally designed experiments.

Can you say, Awesome?

Awesome!

I was one proud mama, and while he was in school the other day I made a quick trip to the local dollar store to grab some extra supplies that I didn't already have on hand at home.  Then I came home and took ten minutes to put everything into small containers and label them, throw in the stuff I already had here at home, and whala, an awesome child/process directed science lab kit that my son has already enjoyed for hours!
Admittedly, some of the stuff that I had on hand was a result of keeping the leftovers from the science camps I've taught over the years, and a few of the containers I already had were from freebie breastfeeding kits I received when I had Curly, but it's really simple to improvise.

The beginning of Dirty D's science kit.

This kit would totally make a great gift for the budding mad scientist in your life.  I love that, unlike the science kits you buy at the store, this is completely child driven, and they get to be surprised at any results of their experiments!  This kit is also easy to change up and add to, the possibilities are endless!  Here's what I included in Dirty D's kit:

• small clear plastic containers w/ lids (8 for $1 @ the dollar store!)
• toothpicks, cotton swabs, straws, popsicle sticks (2 or 3 of each)
• small measuring spoons/containers like medicine dosers
• plastic spoon, small paintbrush, magnifying glass
• small clear containers for mixing
• flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, cornstarch, vinegar, soap, oil
• notebook & pencil for observations
• one of Studly's white t-shirts as a lab apron, safety goggles, beakers & cylinders from old science kits
• a dishpan or tub to hold it all

Putting the kit together was as simple as spooning the stuff into the containers, snapping on the lids, labeling them and putting them in the dishpan.  You can always add food coloring, and any other bulk kitchen ingredients for even more experiments.  Easy, simple, and fun! :)