KITS

Give kids a break from their screens with The Book of Ingeniously Daring Chemistry, a (241)-page hardcover edition with (24) experiments for young scientists. They’ll learn how to create hot ice, make a fossil or crystal, and conduct electricity with a pencil, among other things. Many of the greatest hits of chemistry are included—you know, hydrogen, helium, boron, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen—and there’s an illustration on just about every page. Author Sean Connolly is popular among the science kids and gives clear explanations along with the experiments so real learning can occur.

"WE DARE YOU!" by Vicki Cobb is a 322-page book for children, filled with over (300) scientific challenges and experiments that can be done with ordinary household stuff. A savvy adult could introduce kids to science by betting them their allowance money on the afore-mentioned challenges, including making square eggs without using a square chicken, writing with potatoes, blowing frozen soap bubbles, and a whole bunch more.

Why does it do that? Develop an elemental understanding of magnetism, electromagnetism, electrochemistry, radio, thermodynamics, light and optics. Simon Quellen Field's 228-page paperback, Gonzo Gizmos, Projects & Devices to Channel your Inner Geek explains processes, equipment and scientific terms -- and then, for starters, tells you things like how to make a rotary steam engine in 15 minutes from a soda can, a candle and a few scraps of rubber tubing. It's the favorite of our resident geeks -- but not for kids unless they're working with an adult. That would be a mature adult. An insured, mature adult.

Not every author aims for grossness, but when they do, there’s a good chance you’ll find their book here! Totally Gross Experiments and Activities by Susan Martineau features (144) pages, each with vivid-color, highly detailed illustrations, and instructions on how to perform (66) different STEAM experiments, recipes for frightful food you can actually eat, and abominable art activities. Ages 7-11. Made in USA.

Of course you can buy science by the jar. Mason Jar Science is a 135-page hardcover with “40 Slimy, Squishy, Super-Cool Experiments” detailed inside. Includes fun with crystals, bubbles, slimes, liquids and gases, all made possible using common household items (assuming your household is common) plus, of course, the eponymous Mason jar.