Customer Reviews

Space Age Crystals: 13 Crystals

5 star:		(0)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this as an incentive for my kids to do well in school. If they had a good week they could make a geode. Once one of my kids had earned their geode, we opened the box and read the instructions. There is a LOT involved in making these. Everything you need is NOT contained in the box.

Extra items needed but NOT included are: 1)Kitchen Scale 2)Measuring spoons and cups 3)old saucepan no longer used for food 4)rocks of various sizes 5)plastic storage containers 6)rubber gloves 7)plastic wrap 8)thermometer 9)aluminum foil 10)black and brown shoe wax or shine 11)file or grinding paper 12)hammer 13)goggles 14) magnifying glass 15) flashlight

I more than doubled the cost of buying this kit to get the extra items we needed. It also takes a LONG time to make the geode. First you have to make the "seed crystals" for your geode. You have to cook the crystal solution and wait for 10 days for the crystals to grow. After 10 days you remove the small crystals and let them dry to use later for your geode. Then you make the plaster shell for your geode. While it is still wet you push the seed crystals into the plaster, add the crystal solution and wait another 10 days for your crystals to grow in the geode.

It is a cool science experiment, but ended up being WAY more involved than I had realized.

Good product, my sons were excited about growing crystals. Dye doesn't incorporate too well into the NaP crystals so the crystal are not anywhere near as intense in color as the packaging displays. Its important to slow the rate of cooling to produce large crystals (put the solution in a small cooler or other insulated container). A great way to educate your kids - it was a great family learning experience.

This kit does what it promises, but the instructions are not the most clear to everyone. Not for younger children.

I purchased this for my 9 year-old son who has an affinity for geodes, crystals, and the like. This kit has many projects to embark on, but it also requires more materials than provided(one of which are specific types of rocks). I happened to buy this for Christmas, so we couldn't locate the right rocks for the experiment. We'll have to wait until the snow thaws out. Otherwise a great gift.

Gift for grandson and was well received, but no time to play with it while I was visiting. I can't say how much he liked it. Durability does not apply since, I believe, the toy is expended in play. The education and overall values are my own rating.