Monday 25 October 2021

Ad / UK Giveaway! Science Mad! Chemistry Lab and Planetarium Review - And Crystal Growing Lab Giveaway

We've always been a family that enjoys science, and once the kids get a bit older, Science Mad! caters for the more mature junior scientist, taking things up a notch and using equipment like real glass, fire and chemicals, and language that they'll hear in secondary school.

We've been sent the Chemistry Lab and Planetarium Star Globe for review, and I have a UK giveaway for one of my personal favourites - the Crystal Growing Lab. 

science mad planetarium star globe and chemistry set with real spirit burner displayed on a table

The Science Mad! Chemistry Lab is not a new addition to our house, we actually bought this exact set ourselves a couple of years ago. It's great to see the manufacturer has swapped out the plastic insert for cardboard - nice one.

Science Mad Chemistry lab review pack shot

The set is suitable for age 10+ and it contains a real spirit burner, which runs on methylated spirit. It's illegal to include it in the set, so you will have to get it separately - but you can buy methylated spirits cheaply all over the place (supermarkets, homeware or decorating shops, including Wilkos). It has a million uses, although we tend to use more pleasant-smelling products to clean things nowadays. All you'll need beyond this are commonplace items like vinegar, salt and turmeric. 

Science Mad chemistry set review box contents

There are several glass items, so that you can use some more exciting chemicals without wrecking anyone's kitchen equipment or compromising your scientific results. You also get tiny measuring spoons for precision, corks, test tube holder, and glass rods for stirring dangerous mixtures. 

Science Mad Chemistry lab chemicals in jars

There are 11 exciting jars of chemicals, litmus paper etc. with child-safe lids (although you can't easily come to harm with anything in the set). Everything is clearly labelled.
The enclosed booklet contains 13 different chapters with a series of experiments in each. They have themes, such as making dyes for cloth, sugar Chemistry, different coloured invisible inks etc. It's an exciting set. 

Science Mad Chemistry Lab instruction booklet

The instructions are really easy to understand, and there's plenty of space for notes. Any good science should have things you want to note down. Personally we also find post it or other sticky notes or labels are useful for labelling experiments in progress. 

Science Mad Chemistry set spirit burner experiments

The Science Mad! Chemistry Lab is a brilliant set. It's by far my favourite 'kids chemistry' set for the 10+ age group. They are ready to start heating and mixing slightly more exciting concoctions by this age, and this set fits the bill. 


Science Mad Planetarium review star globe box contents

The Planetarium Star Globe packaging is minimal, protects well, and it's easy to open. The set needs 6 x AA batteries (2 for the Pointer and 4 for the Star Globe), so don't get caught out or Christmas morning might have some of the sparkle rubbed off. You'll need a small Phillips screwdriver and 5 minutes, then you're ready to go.  

Science Mad Planetarium review age 8+whats in the box

There is a spare bulb for the pointer in the box, and it's a very simple "twist" to turn it on/off, which actually really demonstrates to your kids how electrical circuits work. Added science value.

The Planetarium has 2 sliding buttons. One turns the light on/ off, and the other selects off/ rotate/ sound/ rotate with sound. When the light is on, it projects the constellations around the room, and you have some adjustment underneath, so you can tilt it to match the sky above most locations on Earth.

Science Mad Planetarium how it goes together

Sound 'on' starts a gentleman's voice, and he tells us all about the Sun, Earth and the other main planets. There isn't any way to pause or fast forward, and it's maybe around 15 minutes in total. It would be nice if he told us about constellations. I found that a little disappointing. 

Science Mad Planetarium in a room projecting onto ceiling

The Science Mad! Planetarium Star Globe projector works very well. You can clearly read the names and see the constellations. It works best at the distance which equates to being on a bedside cabinet, and fills my son's bedroom ceiling and walls with stars. The light itself is low enough that it makes an excellent 'going to sleep' light. 

Science Mad Planetarium review stars o ceiling

Science Mad! sets are available now from toy shops in store and online, including at Smyths Toys. The Chemistry Lab costs £29.99rrp and the Planetarium Star Globe costs £24.99rrp. 

Science Mad! have offered one of my readers their very own Crystal Growing Lab (age 10+, rrp £19.99) as a giveaway prize - Anthea over at The Toy Scoop has a review so that you can find out more (and her own giveaway too!). To enter this giveaway, please use the Gleam form below:

The giveaway is open to UK entrants only, and will end at midnight Sunday 7th November, when a random winner will be drawn. For a link to help if you are new to Gleam, or to see my current UK giveaways, please see my giveaways page. Full terms and conditions are at the bottom of the Gleam form: 


Science Mad! Crystal Growing Lab (age 10+) Giveaway



We were sent our Science Mad! sets for review. 

69 comments:

  1. I loves science I loved using the bunsen burners

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  2. OOooh my girls will love this.

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  3. I enjoyed Geography and monitoring the weather school weather stations and taking readings and field visits to the seashore to observe and measure coastal erosion.

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  4. I loved DT I remember making a Bon Jovi clock back in the day.

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  5. I loved Biology the best of all the sciences

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  6. When I was at school I loved music because I played the flute and piano, but I also loved the practical experiments in chemistry, especially the colourful or smelly ones!

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  7. Would be a great gift for my nephew, he'd love it

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  8. I wasn't keen on science at school. I passed it but history and art were my fave subjects.

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  9. I loved English, our son loves science and would love this

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  10. I liked watching the science experiments at school but always got my classmates to add the final componenet incase it all went wrong lol

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  11. I loved metalwork especially when we used the lathes.

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  12. It was definitely Chemistry for me. I remember being amazed at what happened when we dropped sodium into water & spending weeks wondering why salt water didn’t do that, as I knew salt had sodium in its’ chemical name.

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  13. I loved Science, really helped me to understand the world we live in!

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  14. I enjoyed cookery lessons. It was always fun to bake something yummy. 9 times out of 10 what I did make never made it home, I always ate it in school. hehehe x

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  15. I loved all the practical lessons like Music, art and dt. I only liked Science when we were doing an experiment.

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  16. that child should have it's hair tied back working with flames

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    1. I did think he'd be okay because of the goggles, because they were holding all of his hair back at first, but you are absolutely right, clearly they didn't hold it for long and I didn't notice. I will make him use a bobble in future. Thank you

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    2. Sorry didn't mean to sound rude, but worked in school labs and seen a few accidents, nothing major, singed eyebrows/hair and the odd hand burnt

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    3. You weren't rude - a bit terse maybe, but totally right! I should set a better example. He has to use a bobble at school, he will when he's using a flame at home. I've seen a few accidents myself - mainly sleeves - and it's not worth slacking on safety.

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  17. English literature was my favourite 🙂

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  18. Science classes with stuff exploding

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  19. I really loved chemistry, PE and drama studies. Anything where I could be hands on, I thoroughly enjoyed.

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  20. I loved anything arty and musical

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  21. chemistry was always fun, especially the experiments

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  22. my daughter loves science would love this!

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  23. I loved woodwork at school although I drove the teacher mad because I'm left handed and he always told me I was leaning the saw the wrong way and it wouldn't cut properly. I've still never found a left handed saw!

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  24. I always loved doing the science experiments. Favourites were in chemistry

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  25. I struggled with all the -ologies at school. Fascinated by them now!

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  26. Cooking was pretty good, my outcomes were always dreadful 😂 and then my dad and mum always acted like it tasted great 😂

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  27. woodwork, i made a table at middle school and still use it

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  28. I used to like home economics as I loved cooking and still do!

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  29. Biology it did and still does fascinate me x

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  30. My favourite lesson was Art but did also enjoy science experiments

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  31. I enjoyed home economics - I always liked baking!

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  32. perfect for grandchildren who love science experiments

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  33. Really enjoyed Home Economics (back in the 70's) still make some of the things we did x

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  34. perfect forus to dao for fun with my tweens

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  35. I always loved music, playing my violin and the piano!

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  36. I loved Design & Tech, I made a record cabinet

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  37. I liked home economics although I don't think the teacher thought I was very good!

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  38. I loved chemistry with all the practical experiments and an inspirational teacher

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  39. I liked more practical subjects like metalwork, woodwork, science Cookery & PE hated sitting in a room just listening to teacher talk

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  40. I loved chemistry lessons, and science classes in general.

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  41. I loved the sciences, especially learning about biology.

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  42. I used to love sewing lessons and learning to use the sewing machine to make a cushion

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  43. I loved Home Economics as I loved baking, learning to cook and also the sewing classes and I still love cooking today however I think my nephew takes after my brother as he loves science, especially chemistry and biology so I know he would be thrilled if I won this for him!

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  44. I loved chemistry & our rather eccentric teacher who rode camels.

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  45. I really enjoyed biology the most.

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  46. I love biology, but remember best when the chemistry teacher used to make explosions and flashes of light!

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Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment. I read every one and try my best to reply!