Showing posts with label doug and melissa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label doug and melissa. Show all posts

Monday, December 15, 2014

Best VTech Bugsby Reading System Pen and Starter Book Deals

VTech Bugsby Reading System Pen and Starter Book
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
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We first purchased the Tag for our (then) 5 year old son, but could not get the audio to download. After numerous emails to LeapFrog and many tries on several different (family & friends) computers, we just could not get it to work. Very disappointing as I felt that it was truly a quality product. The only book he can use with it is the one it came with.

Enter the Bugsby. Each book has it's own cartridge which has a place for storage inside the back cover. For that reason I gave it an extra star for "ease of use" (at least for us!). As long as you don't loose these you're good to go and can change out the cartridge for a new story as many times as you want(the Tag could only store 5 stories at a time, if you wanted to add more you add to remove another). The pen device works in the same manner as a Tag. It has a place for headphones to be plugged in, buttons to adjust the volume up and down and a "read the whole story" button.

As far as the book that comes with it goes, it's a simple story about how Bugsby, who has lost his glasses, searches within different stories (accompanied by his friends Josh and Hanna)to find them. Along the way it labels different animals, and includes "game" buttons on each page (with "stop", "repeat", "yes" and "no" buttons to be used with it). Games include things such as "Find the animal next to the squirrel", "What animal begins with this sound 'p'?", "Do these words have the same vowel sound, 'cup'/'mat'?" and have different levels. Touching in different areas of the book produce little silly sounds, characters saying a few phrases, and short songs. The back of the book includes a two page spread of the alphabet with games to go along with it and a "Story Writer" spread which allows the child to come up with several versions of a short story, changing the character, action and setting. The book has the option to read each individual page or the whole book. I would say the reading level is K-2 depending on the child.

Overall my son (and I) like this product. I don't think it offers quite as many games or levels of play as the Tag, and the way the narrator voice of the book says certain words sounds strange to me (the T's are overemphasized on certain words other character voices are fine though). But considering the lower price and the fact that you don't have to worry about downloading anything, the Bugsby worked much better for us.

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This review will compare the Leapfrog Tag and the VTech Bugsby. Thought maybe this would help others in their decision making.

We have owned the Tag for some time and my 4 1/2 year old loves it. We have recently turned OFF the TV altogether, except for some on weekends. Before that, he could have cared less about the Tag. Now he loves it. I love it too. Great toy. I haven't had one problem with the downloading part. Only thing...I see no point in owning more than 10 books (do we really need more?). Our Tag only holds ten and I WON'T connect to the computer that often to change around books. The toy is very smart and it's a huge hit.

I recently purchased the Bugsby...mainly because I thought my son would love it. He does miss his "friends" from TV and VTech's books have a lot of the characters that he recognizes. It's nice too. Sings a lot more than the Tag (you have the option of turning off the music). Also when you touch the page on a certain spot it gives three (or more) responses...that's different than Tag. If you touch a spot with Tag, it's the same every time. Adds a bit of variety. It's cheaper than the Tag...books cheaper too. My son loves seeing SuperWhy and World World. But, after seeing a new, exciting toy and playing with it for a bit...he asked for his Tag during quiet time. The cartridges are hard for a 4 year old to put in (sort of hard for a 31 year old too!) My 7 year old handled it well, but my little guy will no way be able to handle that for a while. If they were easier to put in, it might be a nicer feature over Tag because there is no connecting to the computer.

Anyway, overall, they are both very nice toys. The Bugsby is great, but comes in slightly lower than the Tag in our opinion.

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I bought this for my 4 year old daughter since she has started trying to read. I also have a daughter who's almost 2.

They both love it so far. It's still early as they've only had it for a day so far. I will update this as we use this more, but initially, I was trying to decide between this and the Tag system. There were good reviews for both systems as well as some complaints about quality issues.

After reading reviews on both, it appears both products do the same thing. Bugsby was onsale and about a third of the price. Bugsby's books were also cheaper, and I didn't see any reason that convinced me that I should get the Tag.

Tag vs Bugsby summary of differences

Tag hold 10 books which are downloaded.

Bugsby uses cartriges.

There are Pros/Cons to both approaches. Catridges can be lost (there is a plaeholder in each book) Downloads require installing software, downloading, and syncing with the pen)

Tag has more books to choose from

Bugsby costs less.

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I went back and forth between purchasing this or the Tag system. What sold me on this one was the books offered. My kids love Wow Wow Wubzy, Olivia, Max and Ruby, Wonder Pets and so on. I did not see some of these characters offered in the Tag system (at least not back in November when I was Christmas shopping).

I also liked that we didn't have to get the computer involved with downloading stuff. The cartridge system works great in our home and my kids are very good about putting away the cartridges after reading each book.

The books are durable and the pen appears to be so as well. My very destructive 4 year old hasn't broken it yet!

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We got the Bugsby reading system for our 3 year old daughter for Christmas this year. She is OBSESSED with this toy. Loves it. There are a ton of options with the different books from matching games, reading games, straight reading through the book, and word searches.

My only complaint with this toy is the battery life. It is ridiculously short. My daughter can only really play with this toy for maybe an hour straight before the batteries need to be changed on the little bug. So, get a battery charger and keep the batteries charged at all times.

Otherwise, it's a great toy.

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Monday, December 8, 2014

Dinosaur Claw Replica - Therizinosaur - 23" Review

Dinosaur Claw Replica - Therizinosaur - 23'
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
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I love how this replica is as detailed as the actual fossil. If you look up Therizinosaur's claw on the Internet you will be able to identify the cracks and grooves found both in the original and the replica.

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Thursday, December 4, 2014

Review of Magna Tiles Translucent 32 Piece Set

Magna Tiles Translucent 32 Piece Set
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
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This is the best, most used toy I have purchased for my grandchildren. All ages play with these tiles, from 2 15. After buying the smaller set, I was asked to "get more next Christmas". They make garages, houses, and geo-shapes that stay together (unlike blocks!). All the tiles fit together; kids learn how shapes are similar, and how they are "fractions" of another shape. Very popular building toy!

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A great gift for all ages. A bit pricey but worth it!

A terrific grandparent gift.

We also use these at my preschool.

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My 3 1/2 year old grand-niece loves it. She already had the game but was missing tiles.

Keep up the god work

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I got these for my grandsons and we love them. We have expanded the set as there is no end to the things you can make. Everyone from the 2 year old to Grandma enjoys them. No age barrier with these!

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My grandson first played with these at a children's museum and could have spent hours with them. So,,I got them for him for Christmas---and he didn't even want to open the rest of the presents he was so content with the magna tiles!

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Monday, December 1, 2014

Discount Plan Education Mathematics Wooden Fraction Sorter

Plan Education Mathematics Wooden Fraction Sorter
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
List Price: $69.99
Sale Price: $55.49
Today's Bonus: 21% Off
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For the price I feel like the four base pieces could have been made from solid wood but they are made from some time of particle board material. The material doesn't seem terrible and I expect that it will hold up pretty nicely, but with solid wood there wouldn't even be a question. As pricey as it was I told myself it would be worth it because it would last for multiple children and maybe even for their children. Aside from that, the product is exactly like you would expect from the picture.

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Tuesday, November 25, 2014

Discount Star Gazer Astronomy Telescope With Aluminum Tripod

Star Gazer Astronomy Telescope With Aluminum Tripod
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
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This telescope with Tripod by LaPollo's is very simple to use. Only you have to build it and use! it includes three eyepiece with two magnifications. You can see the craters of the moon and more.. stars, the ships, buildings.

I am very happy with this product.

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Great telescope. My grandson age 7 loves it and looks out every night. It is clear and easy to use and set up was as well. Really a great value for the money. Quick delivery too.

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Unfortunately, telescopes are just expensive, if they are good. And this one is inexpensive. One part broke off, then the replacement broke. Couldn't see through it well.

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Sunday, November 9, 2014

Buy VTech Spin and Discover Ocean Fun

VTech Spin and Discover Ocean Fun
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
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My son likes this toy quite a bit. A little young to appreciate everything about it at 10 months, he nonetheless likes the music, bright colors, and spinning motion, which he is able to activate whether he intends to or not. He also likes to knock it over and bang it on the floor, and it's sturdy enough to take the punishment. Based on these things alone I would give it five stars, but I wish the sound was better. The digital voice isn't crystal clear, and sounds a bit like Shelly Marsh from South Park (only more personable). My wife and I initially struggled for a few minutes to understand everything it was singing. Perhaps this is only a flaw with the one we have. Still, when ours says "the octopus is pink" and so forth it's clear enough, and I still recommend it. It's a cute toy.

A minor criticism applicable to almost every child's toy or garment featuring a decapod: I don't know whether there actually are pink octopuses or bright yellow starfish, but where we live the image of a red crab or lobster on a toy is slightly disturbing, as around here it indicates that the poor creature is deceased and ready to be doused in Old Bay seasoning. Our crabs are blue, and one could be forgiven for calling them brown or green or a few other less-enjoyable colors. Now, given the cute smile on this red crab, it's obviously one of those Christmas Island red crabs and very much alive (or else it died very happy). Christmas Island crabs seem to be the favorites when it comes to childrens' toys and clothing, along with those happy tropical red lobsters. But once, just once, it would be nice to see a toy where the crab is blue, brown, green, etc.

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Wednesday, October 15, 2014

Buy DIG! DISCOVER: Egyptian Relics

DIG! DISCOVER: Egyptian Relics
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
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This was a really fun project to enhance our homeschool study of archaeology. It definately proved that my kids won't have the patience to be archaeologists, but they had fun and learned quite a bit from this well made kit.

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Saturday, October 11, 2014

Leapfrog Clickstart Educational Software:Disney Princess, The Love Review

Leapfrog Clickstart Educational Software:Disney Princess, The Love of Letters
Customer Ratings: 4 stars
List Price: $19.99
Sale Price: $11.99
Today's Bonus: 40% Off
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I purchased this because my daughter (3) loves Disney princesses. While it held her attention for a while, the games are very disappointing. There are only three games with two settings, but no real teaching variety. The games center on point and click, arrow buttons, and keyboard familiarity something the basic console teaches.

Overall, very disappointing for $20. Seems the game makers may just be relying on the Disney label to sell games I fell for it, but I would not recommend it.

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The LeapFrog ClickStart games are not the most exceptional as far as quality of the character resemblence, and none of the games are going to turn your child into an Einstein. But my four year old loves to play them and she is learning to spell from them and learning computer skills. She especially loves anything Disney Princess. Next to the game already downloaded on the product when you buy it, this is the game she likes the most. I try to limit TV time so if I can get ready in the morning and she is doing something interactive/educational I feel it's a bonus.

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My daughter is just now getting into Princess mode and she likes this game. I like the game b/c it teaches her a bit more than the other games we own, which are Learning Carnival, and Cars.

The Ariel game on the 1st level teaches arrow key use. Which is also reinforcing right and left concepts. This is the best game so far with teaching arrow key use. She now understands what those keys are for and can play it herself. My daughter is just over 2 1/2 yrs old.

The Cinderella game on the 1st level teaches them to click and "drag" the mouse. This is concept that hasn't been taught on any of the other games. You click the shape and drag it over to the cut out shape in the dress. The game catches it when they get close and puts it in the dress for her. I really like this basic dragging concept and she is learning about where to put missing items. I am very happy with that part. It switches over to designing Cinderella's dress and the game is not very forgiving when it comes to the mouse, you have to be pretty exact. That will be good for her when she gets a little older and more into the age range intended for this toy. So she already has to grow into level 1 a bit. I like that.

The Belle game will be more exciting when she is bigger, also a bonus. On Level 1 you use the arrow keys to catch books. On Level 2 it calls out a letter and you push the letter to catch books. Level 2 is actually easier for my daughter than level 1. This is a reoccuring theme on for us on the Clickstart. My daughter can find letters better than using coordination with the mouse to complete games and finding letters is a Level 2 concept. Odd.

After you complete a game you get a bonus round of clicking on gems before they disappear. They disappear faster on this game then they do on any other of the ones we own. So it will be better for the kids more inside the age range for the Clickstart. Not as good for the newbies.

I like this game a lot. If you have a beginner at this computer and want to purchase a game to go with the Clickstart, I highly recommend this one. Ariel and Flouder talk a lot which gives them a little exciting break in between games.

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Overall, I'd rate this an average to disappointing experience. There's only three games (plus a song/sound effect generator), and Cinderella's "game" is basically just a drag and drop dress decorator. The little mermaid game is a maze which taught my daughter how to use the cursor keys to move up, down, left and right. The belle game is pretty hard for a young kid, as you have to guide a character using the arrow keys to pick up books that drop from the sky rather quickly.

My three year old enjoys this cart but it only holds her interest for 15 minutes or so. The educational aspects feel thrown in and there isn't much variety. There's quite a difficulty jump from Level 1 to Level 2 as well.

Definitely don't pay full price for this cart, it's just not worth more than $12.

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I gave this to my daughter as her birthday gift! My daughter loves it! It's Great for preschoolers. Fun activities.

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Friday, October 10, 2014

Cheap Winfun Sing N Jam Platform Pink

Winfun Sing N Jam Platform Pink
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
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My 4 yr old got this for Christmas and LOVES it!! She performs all the time and this microphone gets carried all over our house. So far we haven't had any problems.

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My brother got this for my niece for her bday. She LOVES it! It has really great features. The music it plays is great and modern. The applause buttons are hilarious and she just love love loved those especially when she got the hang of controlling them with her feet. Definitely a 5 star!

I know another reviewer had an issue with volume. That wasn't really an issue for us. Perhaps the batteries weren't fresh?

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My 5-year-old daughter was insistent that she receive this for Christmas -it was top of her list! So, in spite of the mediocre reviews on Amazon, I ordered it. It's a VERY cute product, easy to raise/lower, and the buttons for clapping/cheering are fantastic. HOWEVER, it's really not very loud!!! I never thought I'd complain about that, but it hardly sounds like her voice is coming through a speaker. You have to get down on the ground, right by where the sound comes out, to even feel like the voice is coming through the microphone. We'll keep the product, because she LOVES playing with it. And, maybe it's a blessing in disguise that it's quiet. But given the volume situation, I'm not sure I would buy it all over again.

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This toy broke within 2 weeks. So sad because my daughter really likes it! The lights and sounds were a big hit, but no sound at all now! ;(

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3 yr old loves this! So does the one year old. Tons of fun for both and entertaining for mom and dad too

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Monday, September 22, 2014

Triple Play Math - Vocabulary - 1 per order Reviews

Triple Play Math - Vocabulary - 1 per order
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
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A fun game to play to help children learn math vocabulary words. Works well with small groups. Works well with the children I am tutoring to help them learn new words....also a good review of vocabulary game.

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Friday, September 19, 2014

Buy Skip Hop Giraffe Safari Activity Toy

Skip Hop Giraffe Safari Activity Toy
Customer Ratings: 5 stars
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My son likes the textures on the blue leaf, both to touch and to put in his mouth. And there are other areas on the toy for tugging, like the ears, tail, and some loops along the giraffe's back. Keeps his little hands busy.

Some areas of the toy seem to be stuffed with different fillers, like beads or seeds, which make it satisfying and interesting to squeeze because of the different textures.

The wooden ring is really nice. It's smooth and unpainted, so I know that no paint is going to chip off in his mouth as he chews it. This toy makes a pleasant jingling sound when you shake it. Neither loud, nor annoying.

I also like the size (it's the size of a small stuffed animal), because it is more substantial than your average rattle. So it could make a nice gift.

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this toy was an instant favorite!

anything with a mirror is a hit at our house and this one is top of the list...

my favorite feature is that the giraffe's "mane" is a row of loops that the plastic clip hooks into so you can hang it from the car seat canopy or attach it to the stroller so it won't fall out. i LOVE that i can attach the clip to the bottom loop so the giraffe faces right at my baby while it's attached to the canopy! other toys don't work that way and when they're hanging from above, she can only see the bottom of it. with this one, i can hang it so it faces her perfectly and she can see the mirror and pull on the legs, teeth on the wooden ring etc. there's lots to do and feel with this.

i also love that once she's older, i can remove the clip altogether and it'll just be a cute stuffed-animal toy for her.

this collection of skip hop toys is really cute – i love that they're gender neutral and modern looking. a total go-to for a cute baby gift!

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The only reason this doesn't get 5 stars is its claims to its activities are over-rated. I almost sent it back, but fortunately learned the infant perspective is different from mine. I take care of my twin grandchildren, a boy and a girl. When I got this they were 5 months, with adjusted age for prematurity of three months. Both can be entertained in a seat for longer with this toy than most others, and that has continued for a month now. I don't know why, because the supposed chime inside can barely be heard, the leg pull moves too little to be significant, the mirror is a distorted blur, and the toy just seems ho hum to me. But so glad I kept it because the twins are able to hang onto it well and they find it entertaining so it occupies one while I take care of the other. From their view, it is a five star toy.

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Friday, September 5, 2014

Cheap New-Smart Globe 3 - OR-SG18-09

New-Smart Globe 3 - OR-SG18-09
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
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I bought two of these as Xmas gifts for my nieces and nephews. Great facts and trivia. Fun for kids and adults alike.

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Occupies my grandsons for hours. Has changed their view of the world. Best gift we have given them. Highly reccomend this globe to anyone.

Thursday, August 21, 2014

Cheap CLASSIC CHRISTMAS ALVIN & the CHIPMUNKS SINGING ALVIN!

CLASSIC CHRISTMAS ALVIN & the CHIPMUNKS SINGING ALVIN!
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
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I got this for my almost two year old grandson. After he opened Alvin he wasn't interested in the rest of his gifts. He loves it.

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My greatgrandson loved it. The rest of the family really could have done without the chipmunks song but that really didn't matter. He loved it.

Saturday, July 26, 2014

Cheap Thames & Kosmos CHEM C3000

Thames & Kosmos CHEM C3000
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
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I have a couple of chemistry sets, such as the Microchem 5000, which is a surprisingly in-depth set. But this set, the Chem3000 is the best chemistry set I have ever seen, or used. The manual, coupled with the actual labware makes this set a serious tool for a budding chemist, or for someone who really wants to learn some general chemistry but doesn't have the time or resources to go to college.

As regards not being to get the Sodium Hydroxide, you can get it from Unitednuclear.com, and Homesciencetools.com sells both Hydrochloric acid and Sodium hydroxide. Both sites sell other chemicals too, so you won't have a problem getting the necessary chemicals. Also, many hardware stores sell Hydrochloric acid (they call it Muriatic acid), as well as Sulfuric acid (battery acid). So, getting the necessary chemicals is not as hard as it may seem.

Like the guy before me, I have a nostalgia bug too, and the Chem3000 fills that niche very nicely. I consider this chemistry set to be the finest ever made. The only way I think it could be improved (for the price) would be to add more chemical reaction information in their already really good manual.

If you want to learn chemistry but never got around to it, this is the set to buy.

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I have not bought or seen the Thames & Kosmos C3000, but I have recently set up a customized home chemistry lab like the one I had when I was a kid, and I base my rating (5 stars) for the C3000 on the list of equipment and the price. You should refer to other reviews for actual experience with this chemistry set; I am writing to share some of what I have learned in setting up my own home lab.

There is a lot of moaning on the internet about the way that fears of lawsuits and liability have led to the demise of the old-fashioned chemistry set, and about the poor quality and educational value of what typically passes nowadays for a "chemistry set". Many of these seem to be so "safe" that all excitement and learning has been drained out of them. See also the book "Uncle Tungsten" by Oliver Sacks. Some of the lesser Thames & Kosmos sets may fall into this category, and by the reviews I judge that they do. But the C3000 looks to me like it is a good start on recovering the experience offered by the classic Gilbert and Chemcraft chemistry sets of the 50's and 60's, especially in view of the price. While $212 might seem like a lot for a chemistry set, it is considerably less than you would pay if you ordered the same chemicals and pieces of equipment individually. Also, for those of you considering using this for home schooling, I would offer the opinion that it would be worth it to invest even more, and consider something like the $500 chemistry set offered by HMS Beagle, or by expanding on what is offered in the C3000 by purchasing extra supplies. The top-line Gilbert chemistry sets of the 1930's cost something like $40 (I think), which in inflated dollars must be more than $225 now. Besides, for home schooling you probably want something more than what any chemistry set offers.

There are some complaints that the C3000 doesn't have all the chemicals you will need to do all the experiments in their manual. I think that's inevitable, given the price. In any case, if you or your young chemists have any interest in the subject it is likely that you will want to expand beyond the limits of the C3000. I suggest that you get a copy of "The Golden Book of Chemistry Experiments" (out of print, but available as a pdf file for free download, just google on it). I also have the manual for the Gilbert Chemistry Set from the 1930's which has hundreds of experiments and lots of general information. These can give you ideas for experiments. Robert Bruce Thompson's book "Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments" has a lot of up-to-date and useful information on setting up a lab, as well as a series of advanced high school or college level experiments. It covers topics such as safety and disposal of chemical waste that you will want to know about. I also recommend the videos by Nurdrage on youtube, which are very educational and interesting, although there are two instances where I wish he had restrained his language. Apart from that they are the best chemistry videos on Youtube.

As for ordering extra chemicals and equipment, I have used a combination of United Nuclear, HMS Beagle, Sargent-Welch, and Elemental Scientific. None of these covered all my needs, and I have shopped around. I started by concentrating on some particular experiments I wanted to do, and then ordering the equipment needed for those, and then moving on to new experiments.

Mineral acids (hydrochloric, sulfuric and nitric) and strong bases (sodium, potassium and concentrated ammonium hydroxide) are the main chemicals needed for serious chemistry that are omitted from chemistry sets (although the HMS Beagle advanced kit does include some of them). Companies such as Sargent-Welch will not ship these to individuals, only to schools or businesses. Robert Bruce Thompson explains how sodium hydroxide and sulfuric acid are currently available at the hardware store as drain cleaners, and also how to get hydrochloric acid. Nitric acid is the most difficult to obtain, but it may be available locally (for a price, that's how I got mine), or else try HMS Beagle. See also RBT's videos on Youtube on lab safety.

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Very good kit. However,it does not contain all the materials needed and the required additional solutions are almost impossible to get hold of these days (like sodium hydroxide lye, because it is used by crack labs). Since these solutions are needed for many experiments and are illegal to mail, a large part of the experiments are not possible to do. This is a significant drawback.

The experiments need close adult supervision and involve open flames, boiling solutions, hydrochloric acid, etc. and are not for younger children or the fainthearted parent. There is limited explanation in the manual about chemistry, so a supplemental text or course would be best to get an understanding of why the reactions happen.

That said, our daughter loves the kit and it is complete, well organized and of excellent quality.

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* Experiment Manual

* Eight Test Tubes

* Two Pipettes

* Sodium Bisulfate

* Sodium Carbonate

* Potassium Hexacyanoferrate(II)

* Ammonium Iron(III) Sulfate

* Ammonium Chloride

* Copper(II) Sulfate

* Litmus Power

* Hexamethyl-eneteramine

* Calcium Hydroxide

* Sodium Bicarbonate

* Tartaric Acid

* Luminol Preparation

* Potassium Hexacyanoferrate(III)

* Calcium Sulfate

* Iron Filings (Iron Powder)

* Potassium Permanganate Preparation

* Activated charcoal

* Ammonium carbonate

* Potassium iodide

* Potassium bromide

* Potassium permanganate

* Sodium thiosulfate

* Sulfur

* Zinc powder

* Screw-top Jar

* Test Tube Rack

* Two Measuring Cups

* Two Cup Lids

* Measuring Spoon

* Test Tube Brush

* Carbon Rod

* Plastic Basin

* Safety Lid Opener

* Four Wires

* Copper Wire

* 2 Bags of Magnesium Strips

* Protective Safety Glasses

* Battery Connector

* Light Bulb (3.8 V)

* Rubber Stopper

* Two Cork Stoppers

* 2 Pointed Glass Tubes

* 2 Angled Glass Tubes

* Filter Paper

* Two Plastic Bottles with Caps

* Plastic Funnel

* Alcohol Burner Base

* Wick

* Burner Cap

* Insulator

* Wick Holder

* Aluminum Disk

* Wooden Test Tube Holder

* Litmus Paper, Blue

* Filter Paper

* Straight Glass Tube

* Heating Rod

* Labels

* Graduated cylinder

* Plastic syringe

* Lab stand clamp

* Three lab stand legs

* Erlenmeyer flask

* Iron wire

* Two pieces of rubber tubing

* Tripod stand platform

* Lab stand base

* Plastic straw for syringe

* Bag of small parts

* Rubber stopper with one hole

* Rubber stopper with two holes

* Lab stand rod

* Acute angled glass pipe

* Two screw-top lids

* Plastic bottle, red (for hydrochloric acid)

* Plastic bottle, blue (for sodium hydroxide)

* Filter paper

* Wire mesh

* Evaporation dish

* Small bottle for silver nitrate solution

Find helpful customer reviews and review ratings for Thames & Kosmos CHEM C3000

I never actually had a chemistry set as a kid, with my Dad being more into mechanical and electrical scientific toys, but I have fond memories of both HS and college chemistry lab, and was wanting at least to have some chemicals and actual procedures to use with the set of classic Pyrex labware I was building from the Sargent-Welch site (where they don't sell chemicals to individuals). It appears they've thought out the equipment, much of which is "real"-lab quality (I loved the VWR 100 mL Erlenmeyer flask, the ceramic evaporating dish and the test tubes), so that effective work can be done, and it's quite ambitious, the extent of general chemistry that they attempt to cover with a single lab manual. I noted as did the previous reviewer that some of those non-shippable or limited shelf-life chemicals look rather difficult to find, but many of the substances are just as I remember them being in school, so my retro bug is well supplied. I would think the serious experimenter would need to put a bit of dedication into doing things right or much of the value would go unused. I noted with appreciation that this kit was made in Germany, where I've always been amazed at the emphasis on educational content they put into toys, like my little Wilesco steam engine that I bought a few years back and still run on occasion.

I guess I come from the side of life where I've been there and done all that, and simply want to re-live those days when I was as the intended audience is, having the subject opening before them for the first time. Before I'd lay out this kind of money on a set, I'd make sure the student was up for it.

I'm impressed that such kits are marketed with the young student in mind, and since I'm just a big kid, well, you can count me in as entertained at the same time.

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Thursday, July 24, 2014

School Time! Sticker Pack/Reusable Sticker Set Reviews

School Time! Sticker Pack/Reusable Sticker Set
Customer Ratings: 4.5 stars
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These little packs are great for travel. The reusable scene is small and will not overpower the airplane tray table, the stickers can be placed and re-placed at will and it all fits into the little carrying case. A tad expensive but we travel inter-continentally with a 4 year old several round trips per year, so we find the cost well worth it. Buy several varieties.

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Its a nice toy, with lots of stickers to create stories. But it simply did not grab our 2 year olds attention like the face stickers book. Or the more free form stickers that can be put into coloring books.

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This is such a fun, cute toy especially for traveling. My daughter loves all the pieces and the detail is amazing!

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