If you crossed Tinkerbell with an Alka Seltzer tablet…. Never mind, we’re talking science here, but for younger folk, who still might need a little sparkle, fizzing or oozing to grab their interest. The Sorcery Science Kit has (2) plastic test tubes with screw caps, a stand, a little zinc sulfide, (6) color tablets, red cabbage juice powder, some polyacrylate copolymer, a “wand,” (2) diffraction stickers, and directions for (9) experiments for your potted Harry or Harriet. The Brain Bending Science Kit features oozing, fizzing, erupting and secret messages, and comes with (2) plastic test tubes with caps, a stand, (2) small scoops, straws, swabs, pipet, a little polyacrylate copolymer, (3) color tablets, red cabbage juice powder, corn starch and a 13-page booklet with (11) activities. Both are for ages 6+, and both require some common household stuff.

It's Colorful. It's Magic. That's what the package says about this 3-1/2" tall specimen, and that's more than you can say about those big, clunky un-magical trees. Just slide two parts together, stand them up in the little tray with the magical water in it, and watch your tiny tree begin to bloom with an array of multicolor crystals after an hour. Reaches full magical bloom in 12 hours. Just the thing to watch on those days when the cable goes out. Ages 8+.

Geology for those with short attention spans? The original Magic Rocks®, of course! Mix the solution in a jar of water, drop in the pebbles, and watch them grow into a forest of multi-color stalagmites. Growth starts in 10 minutes, is impressive in 30 minutes, and complete (up to 4" tall) in 2 hours. Extra credit if you can make it grow stalactites by gluing the pebbles to the bottom of a jar, then pouring the solution in and turning it upside down. Who knows? Maybe it will work. Comes with a set of marine decals to decorate the jar. Definitely not for use with living fish. For ages 10 and up.

Our micro rocket packs a lot of fun into a small package, much like hockey's original Pocket Rocket, Henri Richard, the 5' 7" brother of Maurice "The Rocket" Richard. Unlike Henri, this rocket's powered by baking soda and vinegar (not included), and actually flies quite high. Bullet-shaped, it's just 2-3/8" tall x 13/16" dia and sits on a launch base 2-3/4" tall x 3/4" ID. For rocket scientists over 5 years of age.

On the heels of the Pineapple Watch, comes this H20 Clock Kit that features a digital clock powered by liquids. Includes a 3/4" LCD clock display, (2) 4" vials that hold 3 oz each, lids with prewired copper and zinc electrodes, and a base with spring terminals to wire and hold everything. And yes, it will work with soy sauce apple juice, diet cola, whatever, if water strikes you (clock joke there, no charge) as boring. Also includes a 10-page manual. Ages 8+.

Making stuff crystal clear is boring. Grow your own red, blue or purple crystals with these amazing Magical Crystal growing kits. You get approx 4 oz of mono-ammonium crystal, a 2-3/8" dia concave base, some appropriate food coloring flakes, a 3-3/4" x 2-3/4" dia clear plastic container, mixing stick and instructions. Ages 8+.

Science In A Pop Bottle This kit comes in a pop bottle and includes Pop Bottle Science, a 120-page book with (79) chemistry-based experiments that make use of standard plastic pop bottles. Includes a separable 2-liter bottle, screw cap, cork, (2) balloons and small measuring cup. You add common household items and additional pop bottles. For ages 8 to 12.

From Nancy B's Science Club, this purple-accented starter chemistry kit includes a 22-page booklet with (9) experiments, safety glasses, (4) test tubes, rack, dropper, stirring rod, funnel, plastic beaker and graduated cylinder. Kids can extinguish a flame by pouring invisible gas on it, or make bubbling "lava" in a bottle, among other experiments. You add some household items and stand back. For ages 8+.

This is the new, improved, bigger and better CHEM C1000 beginner chemistry set from Thames & Kosmos. Follow Professor Probenius, the world's most distinguished cartoon chemistry professor, through the 80-page manual while he provides safety advice and instructions for carrying out 125 diverse experiments. Build a fire extinguisher, make water flow uphill, identify chemicals, split water into hydrogen and oxygen and much more. Includes the simple lab equipment and supplies you need to experiment with air pressure, surface tension, acids and bases, indicators, electrochemical reactions and chromatography. You add some common household materials. A superior kit for ages 10 and up. Winner of the Gold Award® from Parents' Choice.

Make a nice start at constructing your very own universe with this excellent molecule model set. You get (24) 3/4" and (25) 1" plastic balls in assorted blue, black, yellow and orange colors with varying numbers of holes for connectors; (26) white ball/rod combos to stand for hydrogen; and (27) connector rods in (3) lengths for valency bonds. Includes a chart explaining the system and a periodic table inside the sturdy storage box. Great classroom tool for ages 13 and up.