Gift Guide - Our Top Picks
 To make your holiday shopping easier, we've put together a list of favorite science
gift ideas that make fun and educational presents for just about anyone! Find Christmas gifts the whole family will love as well as exciting gifts for
kids (and adults, too!).
For the Whole Family:
Thinking Putty.
This
incredible stuff can be stretched, torn, kneaded, and even smashed. A great
toy for kids and parents! Get in color-changing, magnetic, or
glow-in-the-dark varieties. Ages 7
& up.
AntWorks. This "space-age habitat" is filled with a cool blue nutrient gel
so you don't need to feed your ants - just watch them
create fascinating tunnel designs in the see-through gel. Ages 5
& up.
Gifts for Young Chemists:
Chem C500 Kit.
This fun introductory chemistry set comes with labware and chemicals for doing 30 experiments like making invisible ink, turning yellow liquid dark blue by adding citric acid, and forming carbon dioxide. Ages
8-14.
Slime Science Kit. Really fun
beginner chemistry experiments - create jiggly slime, stretchy putty, and more. Ages 5-11.
For Outdoor Explorers:
Young Naturalist's Backpack Kit.
Carry the tools of nature discovery into the field with you - this kit comes
with binoculars, guide books, an insect net and pop-up habitat, plant press,
notebook, and more. Kids can explore and find out for themselves about the
insects, plants, birds, and other living things in their world. A winner
of the 2007 NAPPA toy awards. Ages 7-13.
For "How Things Work" Types:
K'Nex. These kid-friendly
construction kits include colorful snap-together pieces to make models ranging from a suspension bridge to a motorized carousel ride.
Each set includes an educational guide and enough parts for several people
to work on the projects together.
Ages 8-14.
Electronic Gadget Gifts:
Weasel Robot. This is the ideal kit for
introducing kids to robotics. It uses sensors to "see" and
"feel" its way around. Ages 7-13. (We recommend the programmable
Boe-Bot for older kids and adults!)
Snap Circuits.
Explore how circuits work with these kid-friendly kits. The pieces snap
together to make motion detectors, radios, sound-controlled switches,
electronic games, and much more. Ages 7 & up.
For Kids Who Love Animals:
Grow-a-Frog Kit. Watch
metamorphosis happen as a tiny tadpole grows legs and loses its tail, becoming a frog that you can keep as a pet.
How can you go wrong? - a healthy frog is guaranteed with this kit! Ages 5 & up.
Fun for Engineers:
Hydrodynamics Deluxe Building Set. The perfect set for engineering-minded kids (or adults)! Explore how tanks, valves, pumps, and pipes work together as you build scale models of an ice cream factory, oil refinery,
and more. Ages 9 & up.
Überstix Kits. Build cool towers, boats, a catapult, and more with these sets. Use them to build the recommended models - or mix them up with Legos or K'Nex! The pieces fit with most building sets, so you have infinite possibilities when it comes to creative ideas and new ways of constructing!
For Kitchen Scientists:
Make Your Own Chocolate.
Discover how products of the cacao tree blend together to form delicious
dark chocolate with a sweet flavor. This kit includes organic cocoa butter,
cocoa powder, and even real cocoa beans to taste. Ages 8 & up.
Cheesemaking Kit.
In under an hour, make fresh ricotta and mozzarella cheese at home using the ingredients in this kit plus milk or cream! Ages
10 & up.
For Exploring the Microscopic World:
Home Microscope. Study
the world close up with 40-400x magnification! This user-friendly scope has all the features of
a quality
classroom microscope, but at a very affordable price. All-glass optics and
cool, bright fluorescent lighting. Ages
5 & up.
GeoVision Pocket Scope. Use as a 30x microscope to look up close
at rocks, bugs, and flowers. Or use it as a 8x telescope to look at craters on the moon, and more! Ages 5-11.
For Exploring the Night Sky:
Star Theater 2.
This home planetarium projects major constellations on the walls and ceiling of a dark room
so you can see the galaxy all around you. The brightest stars glow in the dark, so you can take it outside to use as a star map! Ages
8 & up.
Sky-Watcher 70mm Telescope.
For less than $100 you can start viewing the night sky with this quality, easy-to-use telescope. It has good optics and a sturdy mount to provide you with sharp, clear images of the moon and planets.
A Gift for Anyone:
See the rest of our educational gift ideas for kids & adults: Science Gifts.
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