AD – gifted
We are really enjoying being Bandai Ambassadors and all of the cool STEM activities that we have been trying out. This month we have been learning all about geodes with the National Geographic Break Open Geodes STEM kit 8+ Years. Geodes are so fascinating, they are beautiful rock formations where the cavities are lined with crystals. Typically formed from volcanic rock, but also known to be formed from other minerals such as decomposed sea life.
What you get in the kit in the National Geographic Geodes STEM Kit
A magnifying glass
2 x Geodes
Safety goggles
A guide
A geode display stand
The National Geographic™ geodes break open kit is pretty much ready to go as soon as you open up the box. You will need a hammer and chisel in addition to the kit for breaking up the geodes.
With safety goggles on, we got stuck in. These little things are a lot tougher than we first thought. The first geode took a good 20 minutes to crack open. The key is to tap away rather than giving it a good whack or you will end up with the geode in a million pieces. Tapping away little by little will help the geode crack in half.
After 30 minutes of taping away at the second one, we finally split it open to reveal a solid rock! I’m not surprised really as this took some effort to open up! The first one opened fairly easily on the table, but we had to put the second one on the path and use a little more force.
Jayden found it really interesting to learn from the guide alongside the hands-on stuff. It’s amazing how gasses become trapped inside the lava as it cools and how water enters the holes carrying dissolved minerals, which in time, will form the inward growing crystals.
We’ve had lots of fun discovering different geodes and it’s a nice STEM activity to take outside whilst enjoying the fresh air.
You might like to catch up with our dinosaur fossil and real bug dig kits review.
Available to buy from Amazon for £9.99 (aff link) and for more information visit Bandai.
*We received this product for the purpose of this review and because we are Bandai Ambassadors. However, all thoughts and opinions are my own.*
I think these hands on kits are fantastic for hands on learning. They will surely be more memorable then reading from a text book.
These look like a lot fun and great for learning!
That looks great. Geodes are gorgeous, and so interesting.
Geodes are fascinating. The kit sounds really good. Impressed at how they persevered with the second one. #MMBC
My daughters are both obsessed with rocks so I think learning about geodes would really work for them at the moment. Sounds like a lovely kit to get them started with
I’m so envious – looks like a great little kit. I’ve always been fascinated by geodes. #MMBC
Wow, what a fun idea, my kids would love some of these to try.
Looks awesome and a great way to learn and have fun X #mmbc
This looks great, might get it for my daughter’s birthday.
This looks educational and fun. A great kit! Brilliant!
The kids and I really enjoy these little kits. They can be very exciting.
Much prefer these to another “collect an endless range of useless plastic characters”
More chance to learn and doesn’t take up much space (or hurt the environment)
What an awesome kit! My son and I have wondered where we could find geodes, these are just his kind of thing! Adding this to his birthday list for this year!
Oh wow thats so interesting! It looks so exciting to try
Wow! This is a great way for kids to learn! Is it still available in stores now?
Looks interesting! Where can I buy it?
I think both my son and my daughter will love this. They are playing in the garden right now! Thanks for sharing!
These are a great idea, and such a good way to learn