Scientific Explorer My First Mind Blowing Science
Published · Researched 2026-09-21
Dossier ID: stem-toy-145 · Slug: scientific-explorer · Category: 3 — Science and discovery · Researched: 2026-09-21
Overview
The Scientific Explorer My First Mind Blowing Science is a long-running starter chemistry kit for young kids — a 20-piece set with about 11–12 experiments: color-changing reactions, erupting volcano, crystals, slime, chromatography and "glow" play. Age grading is cited inconsistently as 4+ or 6+, always with adult supervision. Reported contents: three test tubes and stand, pipette, scoops, baking soda, red cabbage powder, citric acid, cross-linked polyacrylamide crystals, vegetable oil, cornstarch, cotton swabs, sticks, and a guide. Household items (water, trays, flour, filters, grape juice, bowls, spoons, measuring cups) are needed for many activities.
Social standing
No verifiable social-platform extraction was possible at research time. The kit's reputation rests on a long trail of parent and educator reviews: an independent GeekDad review (2012) praised it as affordable and accessible with vivid reactions and good explanatory framing. Historical retailer review sets ($14–$20 era) echo the praise — a cheap, vivid first-chemistry experience — while repeating the same complaints: it's messy, some activities have waiting periods, the booklet is thin with few/no pictures, and much of the material could be assembled from a kitchen cabinet.
SAFETY
- Chemicals: Baking soda, citric acid, red cabbage powder, cornstarch, and cross-linked polyacrylamide crystals per reported contents list (exact contents UNVERIFIED from packaging). Household-grade, but not food — do not ingest; supervise mixing.
- Mess: A top complaint — red cabbage powder and color experiments stain hands, clothes, and surfaces. Use a tray, aprons, washable surfaces.
- Small parts: Test tubes, pipette, scoops — choking hazard for under 3s; the 4+ vs 6+ age-grading inconsistency means follow the stricter 6+ / always-supervised rule.
- Thin booklet: Instructions have few/no pictures — the adult must read and lead every step; this is not a self-directed kit for young children.
- Certifications: No independent exact-product ASTM/EN71/CPSIA certificate located — certification claims are UNVERIFIED.
- Recalls: No CPSC recall found for this product as of 2026-09-21 (absence is not proof none ever existed).
- Counterfeit risk: Long-running kit sold by many third-party sellers; confirm Scientific Explorer branding and the exact "My First Mind Blowing Science" title before buying.
Key specs
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Brand / line | Scientific Explorer / My First Mind Blowing Science |
| Contents | ~20 pieces (3 test tubes + stand, pipette, scoops, chemicals, guide) |
| Experiments | ~11–12 |
| Reported chemicals | Baking soda, citric acid, red cabbage powder, cross-linked polyacrylamide crystals, vegetable oil, cornstarch (reported, UNVERIFIED) |
| Household items needed | Water, towels, tray, flour, filters, pens, grape juice, bowls, spoons, measuring cups |
| Age range | 4+ or 6+ depending on listing — adult supervision required |
| Learning focus | Chemistry basics: reactions, pH color change, crystals, chromatography |
Pricing
Prices observed 2026-09-21:
- Historical/ongoing price evidence: $11–$24; retailer-era reviews described $14–$20.
Price band: roughly $12–$25.
What's included / what's needed
- Included: Three test tubes and stand, pipette, scoops, baking soda, red cabbage powder, citric acid, polymer crystals, vegetable oil, cornstarch, cotton swabs, sticks, activity guide.
- Needed: Water, towels, tray, flour, coffee filters, pens, grape juice, bowls, spoons, measuring cups, aprons/old clothes.
Support reality
Scientific Explorer is an established brand (sold through retailers and schools). The thin, few-pictures booklet is the known weak point — parents carry the instruction load. No strong direct-support story surfaced; parts replacement goes through retailer channels.
Community verdict
The "first chemistry kit" for a generation of 4–6-year-olds: cheap, vivid, and genuinely exciting the first few times, but messy, thin on instructions, and largely reproducible from a kitchen. Owners love the price-to-wow ratio; the waiting periods and the adult-led instruction burden are the recurring gripes. Certification claims are UNVERIFIED, so treat it as a supervised-adult-led activity, not a toy.
Images
- img-01.jpg — spare candidate
- img-02.jpg — image
- img-03.jpg — Box and components (cloudfront)
- img-04.jpg — Kit photo (freebies2deals)
- img-05.jpg — Kit contents (liketoknow)
- img-06.jpg — Experiment in progress (splashlearn)
- img-07.jpg — Box shot (ebay listing)
- img-08.jpg — image
Sources
- GeekDad review (2012) — retrieval date not recorded