10 kid-tested and teacher-approved science gifts that bring the "Wow" factor
1. Mentos and Diet Coke Geyser Tube
This science toy never gets old and makes for a great Easter basket or stocking stuffer gift for 8-10 year olds or their 25 year old uncle. Don't forget to gift the Diet Coke and mint Mentos too! I especially love the version with different options for the top. It is more expensive but so much fun!
Class Science Reward Idea: This science toy works great as a class reward. It is a fun, outdoor activity with a party-like feel. The Mentos are stacked in the tube and when the pin is pulled, the Mentos drop into the diet soda all at once creating carbon dioxide gas that shoots through the tube opening high into the air. Be sure to run for cover or get wet.
Click HERE to see this science toy on Amazon.
2. Energy Ball
With this science gift, kids experience the principles of electricity and conductivity. There are metal strips on each side of the ball and when you touch both of the metal strips, the ball lights up and makes a noise.
Classroom Brain Break: I love to have one student touch the metal strip on the ball and have students form a circle touching each other on the arm. The student on the opposite side of the circle touches the other metal strip on the ball. The electricity travels through all of the kids (because we have so much water in us) and it seems like magic but it is the magic of electricity. Stick this small science gift for silly fun over and over.
Click HERE to see this science toy on Amazon.
3. Film Containers and Color Fizzing Tablets
You can't do this science experiment just once. It is so fun and simple. Use clear white film canisters and the color fizzing tablets or Alka Seltzer tablets (store brand tablets work great too.) This segment of Steve Spangler on Ellen is so fun to watch too.
Class Science Reward: Watch the Ellen Show segment and then do the activity. Filling the container 1/4 of the way with water makes a bigger pop than filling it 3/4 of the way with water. Kids always thing more water will make the pop go higher.
Designate a launch pad area. This can be a concrete square or chalk drawn shape on the concrete. After the 3, 2, 1 countdown, kids put their container in the launch area and return to safety. Then... pop, pop, pop and the containers sail up into the air.
Click here to see the Film Canisters on Amazon.
Click here to see the Color Fizzing Tablets on Amazon
4. Tornado Tubes
With a little swoosh of the two 2 liter bottles attached with a simple tube and you've got a tornado. This activity is great to show how air has mass and takes up space too. These tornado tubes are much better than leaky tape trying to hold it all together. You won't be sorry you spent the money because it works 100% of the time.
Classroom Science Center: Add a tornado book along with the 2 liter bottles and tornado tube. Students can draw and label a model of what they saw.
Click here to see tornado tube science toys on Amazon.
5. Magnet Kit
I purchased the Lakeshore Learning Magnet Kits and I love them but they are pretty expensive. This is a great alternative and affordable. Amazon ranks it as their #1 science magnet kit.
Click here to see the magnetic science toy on Amazon.
6. Boo Bubbles
7. Makey Makey Invention Kits and Tin Foil Sheets
8. Snap Circuit Electricity Kits
These kits allow kids to build simple electronic circuits and learn about how electricity works by exploring hands-on activities. Learning about circuits comes naturally to some and not to others. The book of ideas makes it so all kids are successful. The tiny lightbulbs are my favorite! There are many snap circuit options so pick the set that works for you.
Fun Friday or Science Exploration Center: I like to teach and demo snap circuits so everyone gets an introduction. You will have your circuit lovers that become experts and can help other students. It's a team effort of trial and error and a great exercise in persistence.
9. UV Beads
10. Digital Microscope
