Recommendation on Chemistry Set, Metal Detector for 8 Yr Old???

Well, if he wants to do REAL experiments, you may want to check out the Magic School Bus series. We signed up for a year's worth of experiments (they ship them directly to your home each month) and it's been really fun doing them. It looks like you can also buy them individually, although I think if you sign up for a year's worth, they're something like $15 each. Here are some individual kits:

http://www.hometrainingtools.com/magic-school-bus-kits/c/...

Okay, we had some AWESOME things when I was a kid. I, personally, got a "make your own metal detector" one year. This is probably what it was, although mine was significantly less "sleek" looking. :) http://press.discovery.com/us/discovery-commerce/programs...

My brother had this chemistry set that was just out of this world. This page has quite a few that are about the closest thing I could find to what he had, but I think these might all be 10+. http://www.scientificsonline.com/science-kits/chemistry-k...

HTH!

I don't know about a metal detector but I bought my son a book that was full of hundreds of different science experiments that you can do with stuff around the house. He's only 6 but there's some really neat stuff in this book! There's the regualr things like volcanos with baking soda and vinegar, etc. but there's some pretty advanced things in there too. Maybe do a search on amazon for science experiment books. I don't see the exact one that we have but it's similar to this one: http://www.amazon.com/Kidz-Labs-Kitchen-Science-Kit/dp/B0...

good luck & hope he has fun with it!

If he is into those, he may be into a microscope, too. We've got a Chemistry set, but the kids (younger than yours) use the plastic test tubes, beakers and vials to mix colors (food coloring) and "do chemistry" at the kitchen sink. Any kit with plastic tongs etc would work. For the microscope, we bought the one at Toys R Us (for 8 yrs +) and it works really well. It's easy enough to focus and does a great job. We have had hours of exploration with that gift. We've made slides of all sorts of things, and our son has added 'premade' slides to his Christmas list, this year ("Creepy Crawlies" and "blood and guts").

We bought a cheap metal detector a couple of Christmases ago. While the kids LOVED it, I find the high pitched beeping sound to be obnoxious. Every once in a while we will take it outside to play...but then it goes right back onto a high shelf in the garage. My only advice on that one is to check out the sound it makes BEFORE you buy it.

cool...I had purchased a microscope set & telescope for mine that age I would do it again but more expensive sets.I had purchased them @ Wolfe's camera shop it's a local super store of electronic & top notch items not for sale @ your local Walmart.Do a lot of research before ordering make sure it has what your looking for & beyond.