Chemistry Set

December is the month of gifts. And I’m quite certain: if you have any connection to chemistry, the idea of giving a child in your life a chemistry set will sooner or later cross your mind. It seems perfect: sharing your enthusiasm, experimenting together, bringing a bit of that lab feeling to the kitchen table. I thought so too, until I tried one out myself.

‘More than 100 activities and special challenges!’ the box proclaimed. The box itself was two-thirds full of paper filler to make it look impressive. Inside: a few plastic bits and pieces, and not even everything pictured on the packaging. The ‘activities’ turned out to be blood-curdlingly basic steps such as collecting water, measuring water, and dissolving table salt. This was not chemistry. It was not educational. It was an insult. And above all: an excellent way to put a child off our field entirely.

Of course, you wouldn’t expect an 8-year-old to be setting up a Grignard reaction at the dining table, but something with a bit of substance isn’t too much to ask. An experiment that actually means something, that sparks curiosity. If you want to give something chemistry-related this year, choose one well-considered project. Something you can explore together. Growing crystals always goes down well, or make a pH indicator together from red cabbage. And if you do go for a kit: be critical about what’s inside. Disappointment will come along soon enough in the lab — for now, let them simply enjoy themselves.