Here's a sample science kit to try out from my book
Sandbox Scientist


GLOOP

Not only is gloop inexpensive and easy to make, but it will intrigue both adults and kids for days. From the moment kids encounter gloop they try to figure out if it is silly puddy, gack, or some other known substance. As they stretch, tug, mash, roll, and break, kids discover the unique qualities of this new substance.

MATERIALS

1. Borax
2. White glue
3. Watercolor paint or food coloring
4. Large bowl
5. 3 cups
6. Measuring cup
7. Wooden spoon
8. Small toys and other objects such as shells
9. Pattern blocks, and cookie cutters

THE SET-UP

Mix up some gloop:

1. Add 1 1/2 cups of water to 2 cups glue.

2. Pour 1/3 cup of warm water into three cups (optional add a drop or two of water color paint or food coloring in for color.

3. Add a teaspoon of borax to each cup and stir in.

4. One at a time, pour the contents of each cup into the glue and water mixture. Mix until dissolved.

Despite the fact that this stuff is made with glue, it is not sticky. In fact it is quite unmessy. Provide a clean table for kids to sit at. This will keep the gloop clean. Of course, if you choose to produce a large supply, let kids use it outside to see how it reacts with natural materials. Store gloop in an airtight container to prevent it from drying out. Make sure kids clean it up carefully because, if not detected, it will melt, harden, and become difficult to remove.

REAL LIFE SCIENCE (Age 5-7)

"Kids will delve into the icities, such as plasticiscity and elasticity. They may also ponder tensile strengths, mallebiltiy, and oozeability."

As soon as the children had it in their hands, they were busy discussing its unusual properties.

"It’s like a bouncing ball."
"It breaks."
"You can make string!"
"It feels like it’s wet, but it isn’t."
"It makes bubbles."
"It melts."
"Don’t chew it or you’ll throw up."
Rico commented,
"It glues together"
"It’s glue." Mateo replied
"It’s made with glue" Katie said.
"It’s snot" one of the girls said while giggling and holding a stringy piece near her nostrils.
There were also lots of names for it from gunk to goop to gack.

 It was pounded, stretched, rolled, bounced, and cut. Rico stretched some into string and pretended it was a snake. He made the snake hiss at Humberto and Humberto laughed.

Toy dinosaurs and other small objects which had been set near the kids where soon incorporated into the investigations. Ali used pattern blocks to make impressions. Nathan made dinosaur footprints and Rico pressed in a key.
"Humberto, it’s eating it", Rico shouted, but Humberto didn’t notice. He was busy feeding gloop to his toy dinosaur.

As new uses or properties of gloop were revealed they spread around the table. For example, the discovery that gloop could produce the sounds of flacculence was instantly communicated to all.
Nick held a big piece in front of his mouth and with a greedy look on his face he said to Emmy, "What if this was all gum? Yummy"