Recommendations for science experiment book for children?

May 19, 2008 8:34 AM

Looking for recommendations for a science experiment book suitable for an 8 year old. When I was a kid, I had a copy of “Mr. Wizard’s Supermarket Science” that I loved, but unfortunately it’s out of print. Any suggestions?
posted by skwm to science & nature (11 comments total)

That's a great book, I used it a lot when I was little! I'm sure you could get it from eBay or something. Actually that Amazon link has a listing of a bunch of used copies.
posted by tittergrrl at 8:40 AM on May 19

Oh man, when I was a kid, I devoured all of the Klutz-brand how-to books. They are really and truly great. I spent hours reading and re-reading the science one. It was full of neat information and also had a couple of experiments, but wasn't an experiment book.

For that, I turned to my mom. My mom was (is) a 4th grade teacher, and has a TON of science experiment books suitable for kids that age. I would suggest getting a teacher's book of experiments for something with a wide range of ideas. However, the books themselves aren't really designed to be "enjoyed" by kids, since it's just a book, basically, of experiments to ditto out to the kids (with liberal explanation and context given by the teachers). It would probably be something like this, though my mom hasn't taught science since the 80s (and thus hasn't purchased a new book like that since then).
posted by phunniemee at 8:45 AM on May 19

Oh dang, I loved that Mr. Wizard's book. Less straight-up sciencey, but still full of fun cool things for a youngin': Kid's Shenanigans.
posted by Greg Nog at 8:45 AM on May 19

I used to have a book called "Dirty, Loud and Brilliant". It seems to be similarly out of print, but there were a couple of used copies on Amazon for £0.01 :)
posted by kothar at 9:07 AM on May 19

I loved Sara Stein's The Science Book when I was a kid. Not all of it is 8 year old material, but it is a book he will love now and keep loving for years. It is also out of print, but it looks like there are plenty of used-like new and new copies available from Amazon.
posted by hydropsyche at 9:08 AM on May 19

To second tittergirl, there seem to be plenty of used copies of the Mr. Wizard book available. Alternately, there's an excellent chance that a local library would have a copy.
posted by box at 9:08 AM on May 19

When I was a kid, I loved the twin volumes Bet You Can! and Bet You Can't! Unfortunately, they also seem to be out of print, but Amazon and AbeBooks are your friends.
posted by Faint of Butt at 9:14 AM on May 19

This my be a bit too advanced for an 8 year old, but I almost wish I were a kid again so I could buy The Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments.
posted by peacheater at 10:34 AM on May 19

I've looked at The Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments, but it's geared towards older teenagers:

With plenty of full-color illustrations and photos, Illustrated Guide to Home Chemistry Experiments offers introductory level sessions suitable for a middle school or first-year high school chemistry laboratory course, and more advanced sessions suitable for students who intend to take the College Board Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry exam.
posted by skwm at 10:50 AM on May 19

My mother recently gave us Nature Smart which is full of projects that are part arts and crafts and part science experiment/learning.
posted by TedW at 10:53 AM on May 19

Follow-up from some random email person...

I had How Science Works as a kid (in fact, I still do - I just found my copy). It's got great explanations of a ton of scientific phenomena (the categories are "The World of Matter," "Energy, Force, and Motion," "Light & Sound," "Air & Water," "Electricity & Magnetism," and "Electronics & Computers") that are right for a 8-10 year old, and most of them come with fun, simple experiments that demonstrate the principles at work.

The hardcover is out of print, but it's available at AbeBooks here. It also looks like Amazon carries the revised softcover edition, although it's out of stock right now.

posted by jessamyn at 12:02 PM on May 19