Yes, he probably would enjoy chemistry set, making bath soap,etc. oh I know my kids love building fires (live in country where they can make bonfires), explosions/fireworks can be fascinating as long as channeled for the productive!
Hmm, thanks for the suggestions but nothing but bombs involving explosions and fire will cut the mustard for J! He is fascinated with them since the festival here a couple of weeks ago which involved kids building a big bonfire and throwing exploding fireworks, which he calls "bombs". He is intent on fashioning them out of bits of detritus he picks up, complete with fuse wire, and then is very baffled and annoyed when they refuse to explode when lit.