Science Gifts For Kids?

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."

Lots of things

[spribyl]

Try

Think Geek
American Science and surplus.
HobbyTron(Ramsey)

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

Electronics Set

[emandres]

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.

Re:Anonymous Coward

[Anonymous Coward]

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

Re:Anonymous Coward

[andyring]

I had earlier versions of these:

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

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

Re:Anonymous Coward

[arogier]

There are reasons to prefer digital and multimedia methods of presentation and documentation, but for starting out handwriting and drawing are simpler than generating complex multimedia documentation and models. Perhaps my suggestion of a notebooks was limiting, but I stand by it in terms of a potentially useful tool for cultivating experiences that promote a scientific ethic of test, observe, record, and document. At the time I posted the original comment suggestions concerning documentation were lacking.

http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/

[Anonymous Coward]

http://www.stevespanglerscience.com/

15 toys under $15... all look good.

http://getbuckyballs.com/
or
http://www.theneocube.com/

Just bought some for my 13 year old and now my 6 year old want some. Very addictive little toy.

Gyroscope

[Anonymous Coward]

My 8 year old daughter was fascinated by an old gyroscope at my inlaws. Bought one from Edmund Scientific. You never know what will spark a child's interest in science.