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.

Including bubbles as big as your grandmother. You get 2 oz of fluid; (4) straws; a mouthpiece; cubical, pyramid, star and round frames, 108" of yarn (for the bubbe-sized bubble); a tray and instructions for (11) kinds of bubble activities. For ages 5 and up.

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+.

If they're 10 or older, and mad for science, get them this Chemistry Lab Kit from Edu-Science, with chemicals, equipment and a manual for over (80) experiments. Includes copper sulfate, sodium carbonate, calcium carbonate and hydroxide, copper foil, tartaric acid and methyl orange, litmus blue powder, litmus paper, filter paper, test tubes plus holder and rack, rubber tubing, corks, beaker, funnel, small alcohol lamp, stirring rod, scoop, brush, and goggles. For ages 10 and up.

Sometimes the best STEM starts with slime. The Ooze Labs Chemistry Station holds chem lab components including test tubes, measuring cups, pipettes and more, ready for budding chemists to perform (20) experiments specializing in ooziness, sliminess and colorful goopy and fizzy fun. Comes with a 16-page manual. You add some common household items. For ages 6+.

We’re talking science here, but for younger folk, who still might need a little fizzing or oozing to grab their interest. 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. For ages 6+, and all you add is some common household stuff.

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+.

STEM gets a makeover. For your dedicated princesses, science starts with skin care. And there’s an etymological reason “cosmetics” is related to the cosmos. You could look it up, but first take a minute to order this Creative Cosmetics Lab kit. For kids 8-12, it has (16) experiments, including skin care, salt scrub, bath oil, glycerin soaps, emulsions, acidity and alkalinity, making bath bombs, shower gel, scented oils and lip balm. Includes (57) pieces and a 32-page manual. You add a few household and drug-store items.

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.

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.