Would This Be an Okay Gift Instead?

I think she'll love it!! Start working on the Young Scientist for Christmas!!

I think it will be GREAT!!! especially if you can get the book too!!!

YOU ROCK IT MAMA!!!

Sounds really cute and she'll probably love it...

But just in case you hadn't thought of this, Michaels craft stores (do you have them in your area?) sells lots of different kinds of science kits, and they regularly have a coupon in their flyers for 40% off one regularly priced item...

Link to the online flyer WITH coupon... :)
http://weeklyad.michaels.com/

You may actually find something cool there for a really good price! Just a thought...

I think that sounds very thoughtful...and totally awesome.

I saw some night lights at Lowe's the other day. One was of the constellation system and it projects up onto your ceiling. Throw that in with a book about the universe and whammo you have a science-y gift. I was on the same track for one of my kiddos' bday gifts.

Lots of options without having to splurge big dinero on a bday gift...save the big one for Christmas.

I love the jellyfish idea...R....you are a terrific Mom!!

Good luck and best wishes at an awesomely science-y bday that doesn't break the bank!!

Lamp sounds cool and will last much longer than the science kit.

I usually tell a granparent or favorite aunt when it's something I can't afford. They are usually more than happy to have some direction as to what the kid wants.

She'll LOVE it! Sounds cute.

...and it leaves O. idea for Christmas!

ETA: Definitely get a jellyfish book to go with it!

Very cool!

If you don't already have one, consider a family memership to the Children's Museum of Richmond ($125 for the family for the year). I used to be the science director's intern and they are amazing! It is totally worth the money if you go more than once a year.

The family membership could be for all three kiddos and a great add-on for your budding scientist!

Sounds like great gifts to me and love having the Christmas idea out of the way!!

you could look online or get a book on science stuff to do with normal household stuff and make her your own science kit. We had a reg one when we were kids and never really played with it, mixing up junk from the kitchen was always more fun. The jellyfish thing sounds cute too!

Vinegar and baking soda makes a cool science experiment! LOL Seriously, maybe do what another Mama suggested and try some easy, household science fun. Maybe you could incorporate the theme the night of her birthday and have the whole family do fun stuff? I think the light and book will be cool. This will be a good lesson for her - good things come to those who wait (if she gets it for Xmas).

Adding 1 thing - just saw that someone suggested a membership to the Children's Museum. You can buy a Boonshoft membership (it's in Ohio) and it has in kind privileges to a lot of other museums - the Children's Museum included. Basically, it's $100 for the year and you can get into a ton of places free with it!

Hi,

A crystal growing kit is great, and not to expensive. And for the future be sure to check out http://www.sciplus.com/ for great stuff.

C.

I would say that you did not fail. You definitely succeeded in beginning to teach your daughter than in life we do not get everything we wish for. I have five children and even if it is "in the budget", I do not always get what they wish for and more times than not, they enjoy the gift they receive and later state that they like it better than what they had originally wanted. The gift you chose is thoughtful and probably a surprise. It is most certainly COOL! (my 8yr old daughter would love that) What 8 year old doesn't love a surprise? I hope it goes well. :)

The hard truth is.... kids don't always get what they want. Heck, I don't always get what I want! ;)

But you made a serious and thoughtful effort that I'm sure she'll be grateful for.

Another idea, for Christmas or birthday, my son has this circuit board thing that he Loves. It's funny, it's one of the first things he shows people when they come to visit. He thinks it's really neat. I know it isn't exactly squishy science, but she may still think it's cool. http://www.amazon.com/Elenco-SC-300-Snap-Circuits/dp/B###...

Best of Luck!
KATIE

I have a science book I love to pull out for my boys. I have to pick and choose, though, because I usually use it for my 4 year old... it's intended for 8-12 year olds... My 7 year old loves it! It's called Janice VanCleave's 201 Awesome, Magical, Bizarre, & Incredible Experiments. It includes earth science, astronomy, physics, chemistry, biology... everything. Most of the experiments use things you have around the house. Maybe you could gather some of the "ingredients" and put them in a cool basket (dollar store type) with a bow...

I think she would love the jelly fish lamp, too, but if she's asking for a science set, and that's what would make her happiest, try for the book and some household items. I've had a lot of fun, teachable moments with my boys on a shoestring budget.

Good luck.

If you are worried about the time frame, I got this book at Barnes & Noble in the kids education section for $14.95.

There are tons of science kits below $20 on Amazon.com -- http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_i_0_12?field-keyword... -- and go to the library and check out some science books for fun projects you can do at home. Some are as simple as a paper towel roll to explore stereo vision (Look! you can see right through your hand!) or cornstarch and water. Baking soda and vinegar. How to get an egg inside a glass bottle. This is the kind of gift that can spark a lifelong interest in science, and for a girl? So critical to encourage it. Don't wait until Christmas. Give her the gift of a science birthday and have some at-home experiments set up to go. Here's a link to the White House's initiative to encourage women and girls in science: http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/president-obam...