science mad metal detector review

A cracking Christmas list for Science Mad Kids

Disclaimer: We were sent these Science Mad! toys (Weather Station, Night Vision Goggles and Metal Detector) to review free of charge by TrendsUK, but words and pictures are mine. This post contains affiliate links, see more information here

Christmas is approaching, at least according to my kids who have already presented me with toy catalogues with an alarming number of items circled.

Increasingly it’s a struggle to buy things for them which they’ll enjoy unwrapping and be excited about, but won’t end up in a discarded pile of plastic by Boxing Day.

Looking for something more educational and less likely to have a fleeting novelty appeal, Trends UK sent us three items from their Science Mad! range to check out.

Science Mad! 5-in-1 Weather Station

The weather station is for budding meteorologists – or, if they don’t quite know what that means yet – kids who are into collecting and recording their own scientific data.

Set it up in your garden or in a pot outside (and by set up I mean connect the pieces, and then stab the mounting post into the middle of the lawn or somewhere where it is open to the elements. It’s easier when the ground is wet) and you can observe and record weather conditions where you are.

The weather station has a pull-out rainfall gauge with measurements on it, an anemometer (three cups which spin around) to measure the windspeed with an indicator for direction, a compass for determining wind direction and a thermometer so you can record the ambient outside temperature.

It doesn’t require any batteries and should last outside in the elements so you can record daily variations in temperature, wind and rainfall over time.

The Science Mad! 5-in-1 Weather Station is suitable for children aged 6+ although I would probably suggest it for slightly older children who have started to study science and/or weather at school. It has an RRP of £17.99 and can be purchased from Very here.

Science Mad! Night Vision Goggles

Night vision goggles are every budding spy’s dream. A real pair might be ever so slightly out of the average parents’ Christmas gift price range, but these ones will definitely do the job for kids aged 6+.

science mad night vision goggles review

They have a little battery-operated blue LED and blue tinted lenses so that you can see things in the dark.

night vision goggles trends uk

There’s also a flip-out magnifying lens so you can take a better look.

night vision goggles

The night vision goggles have a fully adjustable elasticated strap and rubber around the nose so they can be completely hands free, and for a six year old boy they look pretty cool, albeit the LED lights means they aren’t necessarily fully functional for actual spies.

They have an RRP of £16.99 and can be purchased from Very here.

Science Mad! Digital Metal Detector

Our definite favourite of the three items is the Science Mad! Digital metal detector.

Ever since watching the Detectorists (if you haven’t seen it, watch it – it’s lovely!) on TV I’ve fancied finding myself a buried Saxon hoard. Actually, I quite fancied one before that, as a kid – so it’s no surprise that they were excited by the idea too.

Science Mad! Digital Metal Detector

It’s very simple to use – first you need to attach a 9v battery (not included). Then you turn up the volume (which also functions as an on/off switch) and then twist the sensitivity control until you hear beeping and see flashing LED lights.

Ensuring that you aren’t close to any metal, slowly twist the sensitivity control back, until the moment it stops beeping. This is when it is at its most sensitive, and it is ready to use.

Science Mad! Digital Metal Detector review

The metal detector is lightweight (under 3kg) and perfectly proportioned for children who can take it on walks, to the beach or even around the house to find things made from metal.

Unsurprisingly for a child’s toy costing under £30 it isn’t massively sensitive – hiding coins in grass, for instance, will make them very tricky to find unless you are right on top of them. However larger pieces of metal set the sensors off easily. I would be keen to take it to the beach to see what we can find!

Science Mad! Digital Metal Detector trends uk

It’s actually a really fun way to teach kids about different materials, and get them learning about the things inside and outside the house which contain metal. It could even spark off a new outdoor hobby.

The metal detector has an RRP of £24.99, and is available to buy from Amazon here.

The Science Mad! range from Trends UK

Other items in the Science Mad! range include Telescopes, Microscopes, a Chemistry Lab Set and a Crystal Growing Set, a Planetarium Star Globe, a Light Up Globe, a Build Your Own Vacuum Cleaner Kit, Digital Walkie Talkies, a Rock Tumbler kit and a Circuit Lab Kit. Check out the range at Very.

If you have a little scientist at home, they could make the perfect Christmas present.

Even better, you could win your own Science Mad! Night Vision Goggles, over on my Facebook page.

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