Chemistry Kit Fun

I am living proof that no child under the age of 30 should be given a chemistry set. Upon receiving mine, I set about trying to isolate enough hydrogen to float a large balloon. A day later I discovered just how hard it is to store hydrogen in the presence of an open flame. The black mark on the ceiling measured about 2 feet across -- thankfully my head wasn't in the way.

Thames & Kosmos sells a modern version -- the CHEM C3000 -- should you have the urge to put unsuspecting children through similar rites of passage this holiday season. The kit comes complete with chemicals, a handful of test tubes, an alcohol burner, and an 186-page manual detailing 360 experiments.

2,400 cubic inches of pure chemistry