Thames & Kosmos Sophisticated Science Candy Factory

by Thames & Kosmos

Product Features

• Make hard candy, lollipops, chocolates, caramels, fudge, gummy shapes, chocolate eggs, gum drops and more
• Learn the chemistry of crystals and the biology of taste
• Read about popular candies and the candy industry
• Explore the origins of chocolate and sugar
• Make a chocolate ladybug for good luck

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 14.6 x 11.5 x 3.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B000F7M87G
• Item model number: 641016
• Our recommended age: 10 years and up
• Manufacturer recommended age: 10 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #16,985 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
  • #58 in Toys & Games > Learning & Education > Science > Physics
• Average Customer Review: 2.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (4 customer reviews)

Product Description

From the Manufacturer

Candy Factory: The Science of Sweets. Willy Wonka. Milton Hershey. Forrest Mars. John Cadburry. Factual or fictional, the great names in the history of candy making all share one thing: they were experimenters and innovators. Now you can experiment with the art of making candy, and learn the science behind how it forms and why it tastes so good. Inside this giant chocolate bar-shaped box is a scientific candy wonderland including the special tools and recipes you need to make candy. use the plastic and metal molds, shape cutters, candy thermometer, spatula, dipping fork, and various other tools to form and coat your candies. finish them with foils, paper cups, sticks, and wrappers. The 48-page illustrated book provides instructions, recipes, and scientific explanations. This kit does not contain any food items. Ingredients must be purchased separately, giving you control over the ingredients you use.

Product Description

Willy Wonka. Milton Hershey. Forrest Mars. John Cadbury. Factual or fictional, the great names in the history of candy making all share one thing: they were experimenters and innovators. Now you can experiment with the art of making candy, and learn the science behind how it forms and why it tastes so good. Inside this giant chocolate bar-shaped box is a scientific candy wonderland including the special tools and recipes you need to make candy. Use the plastic and metal molds, shape cutters, candy thermometer, spatula, dipping fork and various other tools to form and coat your candies. Finish them with foils, paper cups, sticks and wrappers. The 48-page illustrated book provides instructions, recipes and scientific explanations. This kit does not contain any food items. Ingredients must be purchased separately, giving you control over the ingredients you use. Ages 10 and up. ? make hard candy, lollipops, chocolates, caramels, fudge, gummy shapes, chocolate eggs, gum drops, marshmallows, licorice, marzipan, pralines, peppermint patties, and more ? learn the chemistry of crystals and the biology of taste ? read about popular candies and the candy industry ? explore the origins of chocolate and sugar ? make a chocolate ladybug for good luck

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

51 of 51 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars a nice concept, kind of challenging for kids, December 23, 2007

By 

Philly Mom - See all my reviews

= Durability:2.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:3.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Thames & Kosmos Sophisticated Science Candy Factory (Toy)

This is a really neat concept, and very attractive to both kids (make your own candy!) and parents (teach your kids important scientific principles!). The manufacturers have put together a nice package, with a beautifully illustrated, and informative instruction manual. The caveats I would offer are:
1. Candy making is actually pretty challenging, and sometimes dangerous (170-degree sugar syrup). Kids will not be able to use this toy safely without continuous adult supervision.
2. In order to use this kit, you will have to buy at least $40 worth of candy-making ingredients and equipment, unless you are already making candy at home and own these things (for example, colorings and flavorings, various kinds of chocolate, a marble pastry board).
3. The recipes sometimes don't include a lot of detail. For example, they don't always specify the quantities for the various ingredients. If you have a lot of candy-making experience, you may be able to guess. We had to look up candy recipes on the internet.
Overall, it was fun to read the manual, and we tried a couple of the simpler recipes. Some of the more hazardous activities ended up being more demonstrations than opportunities for the kids to have a hands-on experience. The kids enjoyed being able to choose different colors and flavors for their candy creations.

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Not easy, not ready to use out of the box, August 24, 2009

By 

E. Jung (Scottsdale, AZ) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:2.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:2.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:1.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: Thames & Kosmos Sophisticated Science Candy Factory (Toy)

This was a gift that was purchased by a well-intentioned aunt for my 7 year old girl. Once the kit arrived, my daughter was very excited, but we both soon realized that a run to the grocery store was required. As the other reviewer mentioned, you need to buy all of the ingredients and the coloring and the flavorings you want to put in. Also you will need a double boiler or rig something similar up for melting chocolate.

The instructions were fairly basic (as in lacking detail). The language used was directed at 10~12 year olds, but really doesn't even give them the support they need to figure things out. As an adult I was able to get the gist of what they were asking for and figure it out.

The kit just seems awfully expensive for what it gives - which are instructions and recipes that can be found on the Internet, a few plastic (and easily breakable) chocolate molds, and the few odd accessories (like pretty foil for wrapping candies.)

BTW, the 7 year old enjoyed eating the candies, but would rather watch TV than help make them.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Overpriced, June 11, 2011

By 

Minnesota Mom (Minnesota) - See all my reviews

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Thames & Kosmos Sophisticated Science Candy Factory (Toy)

I got this kit for my 10-year-old daughter, who had wanted it very badly for a long time. The box made it look like you were getting this big, lovely kit, but that was a little deceptive. Most of what was inside the box was styrofoam packaging. The candy-making tools themselves were fine, but for what you get, you'd probably be better off buying the supplies individually from a local kitchen-supply store. I think the best thing in this kit was the little booklet of instructions, which had some interesting facts about candy, including the fact that modern children eat WAY too much sugar as it is, which made me wish I had never bought the thing in the first place. But alas, it was a gift for my daughter, so I'll let her keep it!