Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

I got this set in April 2014. I am a retired industrial chemist who fell in love with chemistry when I got my first set at age ~12 or 13. This is NOT a set that you can give to a 10 yr old and walk away. If your recipient is a cautious and studious 13 , then he/she may be able to handle it but they have to be patient and read with comprehension. It is best used with help from an adult that has some technical ability (i.e. if you are the type that never got a handle on math or science in HS then you won't be much help.) That said, I bought this for my granddaughter's 6th birthday. :) She has loved playing with vinegar and bicarbonate of soda ("fizzy stuff") and always wants more things to experiment with. I have NO idea of leaving her alone with this stuff for 2 seconds. She is responsible for a 6 yr old, but that ain't saying much. I have the time and inclination to work closely with her. We are having fun with it. Now for the contents: First it has a very good book that describes the experiments but also gives you a bunch of info that you need before you jump in. Please read it in advance of giving it to your child. The kid will want to start right in experimenting. They can't do that without some preplanning. There is a lot of information you will want to have before you start. Provided are safety goggles 2 pipettes clip for 9V battery EMPTY bottle for litmus solution that you will make copper wire 2 beakers w/ lids (thin, cheap plastic but with graduations) 4 test tubes test tube brush 2 rubber stoppers, 1 w/ hole funnel Chemicals, very small amounts of them: sodium carbonate potassium hexacyanoferrate (II) Calcium hydroxide Ammonium iron (iii) sulfate Copper (II) sulfate Citric acid litmus powder Lid opener (chem bottles have a good, safe lid that needs this to open them.) Measuring spoon (read how to use this. the terms in the expos are not clear.) angled glass tube (Most DANGEROUS item in the kit! Read below.) "Experiment station" THIS IS THE STYRENE PACKING. It is a good thing. Don't throw it away. That's it. You will need a LOT of other stuff. Much of it you have in the house. most of the rest you can buy at the grocery store or drug store. I'll write another review to cover this, but I'm not a good key boarder, so enough for now except: SAFETY The chemicals in the set need careful handling but aren't especially dangerous AS CHEMICALS GO. Keep them out of eyes. If they get on your skin, wash them off. When you have finished experimenting, wash hands with soap and water. The big danger is that glass tube. I am very serious about this as I have seen a number of nasty cuts from people trying to push a glass tube into a rubber stopper. The tube breaks and jabs into the palm of the hand. Follow the instructions given AND use a heavy glove. Proceed with caution. Lubricate the stopper with water or soapy water. (Not oil, as that swells the rubber.) Use reasonable caution and you should be fine with this set.