If you want to do activity-based science, but you don’t have the time or inclination to find experiments and gather materials, Stratton House kits are a great option. Designed by a homeschooling family, they can be used with children in grades one through eight. Materials for two children are included, but extra materials are available from the publisher.
While Stratton House sells kits on individual topics, their three-topic combo kits are the best deal. Two of these combo kits are available. One is Astronomy, Birds and Magnetism and the other is Microscopic Explorations, Insects, and Light.
These kits offer much more than science kits like those you find in children’s stores. They include actual lessons in a parent guide—40 lessons in the first kit and 43 in the second. It should take about a year to complete each kit.
Kits include the parent guide, reproducible worksheets for children, and the materials needed for the activities. For example, the first kit includes items such as binoculars, birdseed, bird identification book, star charts, and magnets. Lessons are laid out with clear, illustrated instructions, so they are easy for even the inexperienced parent. The Parent Guide has additional ideas and topics for discussion to make the most of your children’s curiosity.
Sample lessons are available on their website so you can check it out before buying.
