Over the last few months we have been working with Bandai to review their range of National Geographic STEM kits for kids. You can look back to our Bandai STEM kits reviews if want to see our past posts about this range.
We have been lucky enough to try out some fun and educational kits which have been a great way for my children to learn through fun and trying out new things to do. I think the boys will be sad not to receive our monthly bundle of STEM kits, as this is our final month as Bandai STEM Ambassadors.
We received 3 National Geographic STEM kits this month. Ultimate Play Sand, Shark Tooth Dig Kit and a Gemstone Dig Kit. The kids were really excited to get to work with the kits and get to try out the sand too as we've read that it's so much fun.
So, since my sons have never tried this sand before, and I was excited to see how it worked in comparison to real sand, we decided to try out this first. The National Geographic Ultimate Play Sand is a special mixture of sand that doesn't dry out, this sand acts wet while leaving your hands completely dry which is great if you don't want sandy hand prints everywhere.
The set comes with a 2lb bag of play sand, a tray and 6 sand moulds all in different shapes. This premium quality play sand is designed to provide all the fun and none of the hassle. And kids get to mould, slice and shape whilst creating with the sand.
What I love, is how clever it is. Like, you pick it up like regular sand. It can run through your fingers, like regular sand, and it can be moulded like regular sand too. But it doesn't need water to hold it together, it slides easily out of the moulds without being trapped, and once it's in a shape, it'll stay in place, until you move it.
The dig kits are a favourite of the boys. They've tried a few before and love how they can excavate their very own little objects. The National Geographic Shark Tooth Dig Kit is one they've been waiting to do as they love sharks, and couldn't wait to see the different shapes of teeth that sharks have.
With this kit, you get to excavate 3 Genuine Shark Teeth Fossils from one of the oceans deadliest predators. It comes with the block, digging tool, brush and magnifying glass, so it's simple and easy to use. You just gently break away bits of the block, until you find the teeth, and the gently excavate around them so as to not damage them, as the teeth are quite fragile.
With a full colour learning guide full of amazing shark facts and pictures, they're a great way to learn about these most feared predators and work out which teeth are which as they dig them out. Inside their block, they will find a tooth from each of the sand tiger, otodus, and crow sharks, and can use the booklet to learn all about what make sharks the ocean's most feared predators.
The National Geographic Gemstone Dig Kit is a new one for us. We've opened geodes, excavated teeth and fossils, but have never worked with gemstones before, so it was nice to see these as they appeared. Like the sharks tooth kit, this set includes a digging brick containing 3 amazing gemstones (quartz, amethyst, and tiger’s eye), archaeological digging tools, a full colour learning guide, and a magnifying glass.
Inside the digging brick, you can explore 3 gemstones. A firm favourite for the kids was the Tiger's Eye due to the fact that it does in fact look like its name suggests. The Quartz is also a beautiful gemstone. Clear in colour and very alluring. For me though, Amethyst stood out. This deep purple gemstone is stunning to look at and really does look like a precious stone, even if it isn't classified as one.
The guide is also packed full of information and amazing facts about these crystals which is really great to hear about. The boys decided that if they do ever have to go to battle, then they'll definitely take the Tiger's Eye with them!
And so, to end our Bandai STEM Ambassador Adventures, I have been given a National Geographic Gemstone Dig Kit to give away to one lucky winner. For your chance to win this kit, just enter via the Rafflecopter form below...
Ends midnight 30th September 2019
And please, if you are commenting on the blog as 'anonymous' can you please write your name in the comment otherwise I cannot count your entry.
I love the look of the play sand kit x
ReplyDeleteMy daughter loves the quartz
ReplyDeleteMy favourite is the Amethyst.
ReplyDeleteI like the Amethyst
ReplyDeletelove the amethyst
ReplyDeleteThe amethyst is my favourite.
ReplyDeleteAmethyst is our favourite
ReplyDeleteAmethyst is our favourite
ReplyDeleteamethyst would be my fav x
ReplyDeleteI love tiger's eye.
ReplyDeletetiger’s eye
ReplyDeletewe like quartz
ReplyDeleteThe amethyst looks particularly pretty. A great idea.
ReplyDeleteAmethyst is my favourite
ReplyDeleteamethyst is pretty.
ReplyDeleteAmethyst has amazing colour.
ReplyDeleteThe gemstone quartz
ReplyDeleteThe gemstone quartz
ReplyDeleteMargaret Clarkson
ReplyDeleteAmethyst
The Amethyst is my favourite
ReplyDeleteI like the Amethyst
ReplyDeleteI love the amethyst, it's ace!
ReplyDeleteI like Tigers Eye
ReplyDeletequartz
ReplyDeleteThe Play Sand looks fun!
ReplyDeleteThe shark tooth dig kit because I know my two boys would love it
ReplyDeleteThe amethyst is beautiful
ReplyDeleteThe amethyst is gor8
ReplyDeleteThe gemstone quartz
ReplyDeleteThe Amethyst
ReplyDeleteThe tigers eye
ReplyDeleteThe Shark Tooth kit!
ReplyDeleteAmethyst because I really like the colour!
ReplyDeleteI would have to agree with the kids - Tigers eye always looks fantastic. Its also said that a tigers eye can help you make decisions :)
ReplyDeleteMy favourite is the amethyst
ReplyDeleteThe amethyst from the National Geographic Gemstone Dig Kit really appeals to me, I'm a purple lover and my engagement ring is amethyst!
ReplyDeleteThe tigers eye would be my choice. My son loves anything and everything to do with tigers
ReplyDeleteI love the Amethyst
ReplyDeleteThe shark tooth dig kit
ReplyDeleteTigers eye
ReplyDeleteI like the amethyst best, it's such a lovely colour x
ReplyDeleteAmethyst
ReplyDeleteMy favourite is the Tigers Eye because it does indeed look like one!
ReplyDeleteI like the Amethyst.
ReplyDeleteAmethyst is my fave
ReplyDeleteShark tooth dig kit is my fave x
ReplyDeleteThe Quartz looks fab!
ReplyDeletemine, and i bet my daughter would agree is the Amethyst
ReplyDeleteThe tigers eye
ReplyDeleteI like the Amethyst.
ReplyDeletewe love the quartz xx
ReplyDeleteI love the amethyst
ReplyDeleteI love the colour of the amethyst x
ReplyDeleteThe amethyst
ReplyDeleteI've always loved Tiger's Eye
ReplyDeleteThe Tigers Eye x
ReplyDeleteAmethyst
ReplyDeleteThe amethyst is my favourite
ReplyDeleteamethyst beautiful
ReplyDeleteThe Amethyst!
ReplyDeletethe quartz looks great
ReplyDeleteI like the amethyst
ReplyDeleteTigers Eye - my Niece and Nephew would love this
ReplyDeleteWe have always loved the set that you break open the Quartz rocks. These are great for younger children and I think they are novel and would make great gifts
ReplyDeleteThe Tigers eye is my favourite of them.
ReplyDeleteMy favourite is the Amethyst
ReplyDeleteI like the Amethyst
ReplyDeleteAmythst is my favourite as it is one of my favourite gemstones overall! I think the kit is wonderful and looks like so much fun.
ReplyDeleteShark tooth
ReplyDeleteRachel Craig
I know it's popular.. but the amethyst as its my mum's birthstone
ReplyDeleteGemstone dig kit
ReplyDeletegreat giveaway
ReplyDeleteThey all look great but I like the Amethyst one best x
ReplyDeletegreat giveaway
ReplyDeletethe tigers eye x
ReplyDeleteI do like the quartz- geri gregg
ReplyDeleteI love tigers eye
ReplyDeleteThe Amethyst is stunning!
ReplyDeleteTigers Eye is my favourite
ReplyDeleteI like the quartz!
ReplyDeleteThe amethyst is my favourite. I love the colour.
ReplyDeletetigers eye ! they all look great tbh!
ReplyDeleteTigers Eye! Fantastic x
ReplyDeleteI like the Tiger's Eye
ReplyDeleteTiger's Eye.
ReplyDeletei like the Amethyst
ReplyDeleteAmethyst :) very pretty x
ReplyDeletelove the tigers eye, gorgeous
ReplyDeleteAmethyst
ReplyDeleteThe Amethyst is beautiful my favourite colour!
ReplyDeleteI like Tigers Eye
ReplyDeleteYes please! This is fab, my son would love this! ⭐️
ReplyDeleteThe amethyst kit would be amazing and a favourite! :)
DeleteThe amethyst is lovely
ReplyDeleteMy favourite gemstone included in the kit is amethyst, love the colour!
ReplyDeleteThe amethyst is my birth stone so id have to go with that
ReplyDeleteThe amethyst , I have always loved this gem
ReplyDeleteThe Quartz
ReplyDeleteThe Quartz
ReplyDeleteLove the amethyst! (Commenting as Jacqui Rushton)
ReplyDeleteTiger's eye
ReplyDeleteI love the tigers eye
ReplyDeleteAmethyst for us
ReplyDeleteamethyst as it's so beautiful!
ReplyDeleteI like the amethyst
ReplyDeleteThe amethyst is lovely
ReplyDeletequartz
ReplyDeleteThe shark tooth one as I know my son would love it
ReplyDeletei like the amethyst
ReplyDeleteThe Amethyst
ReplyDeleteAmethyst - purple is my favourite colour
ReplyDeleteAmethyst x
ReplyDeleteThe Tiger's Eye
ReplyDeletePurple is my daughters favourite colour so it's got to be Amethyst
ReplyDeleteMy favourite is the Amethyst.
ReplyDeletelove tiger's eye
ReplyDeleteThe shark tooth.
ReplyDelete