Product Review: Science Tubes

I've gotten a couple questions about this particular item, which has been seen a lot in my past few posts. So I thought I'd give my review and the information on where I got them....

I bought this set of test tubes this summer when I was planning out our year, I wanted something inexpensive, yet durable since my boys are all 8 yrs old and under, I didn't think we had a need for glass test tubes yet. So when I found these I thought they would work perfectly for our needs.

Where to get them:

I bought this set from Oriental Trading Company. Here is the product description from their website: Super Science! Test Tubes With Trays. Includes 16 plastic test tubes with twist-on caps and 4 trays. Each tray holds 4 test tubes. Caps and trays come in 4 vivid colors. Test tubes, 5"; tray, 5 3/4" x 2 1/8" x 2 1/8".

For the the set of 16 tubes and 4 trays the cost is $14.99

My take on them:

I love them! If you haven't noticed we've used them a lot. At least once a week, daily now that we are doing chemistry. I love the stands, which hold them securely. We've never had one tip over on us. The lids go on tightly and can withstand vigorous shaking. They've been dropped and didn't crack. I have definitely gotten my moneys worth already in just a couple months.

We used them while we studied water pollution and acid rain. We use them almost daily for our chemistry unit. And we don't just use them for science either.....my younger 2 boys use them all the time too....Lakin pulls a set off the shelf and a cup of marbles and 'sorts' them. Cohen uses them to sort the coins. We've used them to sort all types of objects actually. For small motor control with pouring. To collect items in. To catch bugs in. They are very portable too....so they can go with us to play in the river up in the mountains. To be a temporary minnow or tiny cray fish observation tube. You can fill them with wet paper towels and seeds to watch the roots grow. They can hold colored water to soak up into flowers or celery stalks. Really the possibilities are endless.

The cons?

One thing that would have been helpful in a couple of our experiments would be volumetric markings. But I made do with a syringe and masking tape to make my own mL marks. And that is the only thing I can think of right now. I've been pleased with every other aspect.

Happy experimenting!