As I mentioned in my review of the Chem C3000, it’s sad that science kits usually can’t compete with more mainstream stuff like Guitar Hero. They also tend to be pricey, but the upside is that online and brick-and-mortar stores will carry chemistry sets, microscopes, etc. and since these things usually don’t sell well for the Christmas season, you can often find them after Christmas at a significantly reduced cost.

As you already know, I posted a review of the Thames&Kosmos Chem C3000 chemistry set here.

Kudos to Thames and Kosmos for getting their chemistry sets on the shelves at Barnes and Noble. They have these three introductory sets in the store: the “Dangerous Book for Boys Classic Chemistry Science Kit,” “The Chem C500,” and “The Chem c1000.” Sadly, the chemistry set has to compete with the Xbox One and the Play Station 4 so, if there’s any money left over for after Christmas sales you’ll at least have the opportunity to browse the three sets in the store—pick up the box, feel its weight, read the back of the box for the contents and information about the experiments that can be done with these kits. You’ll have time to use your Google-fu to look up reviews for the kits.