Part 2: Christmas gift ideas to inspire with science!

 

Is it really 13 days until Santa comes? Are you frantically ordering off Amazon Prime and sneaking away to toy stores while the kids are at school? I sure am!

Today I have added a few more gifts to my Christmas list based on reader feedback!  These ideas also include ‘non-toy’ gifts with a science twist. My original list can be found here.

 

 

 

1. Fun engineering and science books

According to Allie, this is my favorite book.  I do love this book because Rosie the Riveter makes a cameo appearance and her message is never give up your dreams!  You’ve got to love that! You can find it here.

 

This book was written by a dad with his daughter in his quest to interest her in science. Amazing!  It reminds me of Encyclopedia Brown because it presents science with a mystery to solve! You can find it here.

2. School House Rock – Science Rock!

Did you know there is a science School House Rock?  I still have School House Rock songs in my head from childhood.  (Test me… I can recite the Preamble to the Constitution!) I can imagine Allie singing these songs in 20 years! You can find the dvd here.

3. Bath toy flutes

 

What a great way to play in the tub and learn science! Fill it up with water and experience sound vibrations first hand! Find it here.

4. Toys for spatial skills

Spatial skills are vital in science and engineering.  I still struggle with it!  I can tell you by experience that you need these skills in any college engineering program from AutoCAD drafting to Calculus 3! Yikes – that brings back memories!

Apparently these magnet tiles are all the rage this year!  You can build an endless number of structures. My friend Amanda gave me this tip on Picasso tiles that have a better value than most magnet tiles out there. Find it here.

 

Melissa and Doug’s pattern board is basically a tangram puzzle.  Tangram builds spatial skill by using certain shapes to make the object. Sometimes you have to be a bit creative in finding the solution. You can find it here.

 5. Natural Science Museum membership

We have a family membership to the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The kids love the dinosaurs and butterfly exhibits. I adore Weiss Energy Hall!  See website here for membership details.  Also, this would be a great place to go with visiting relatives during the holidays. The only day they are closed is Christmas Day.

6. Magazine subscription

Did you know that a goldfish can live for 40 years?  Or that a cat almost never meows at other cats, only people? Allie and I only know that because of Ranger Rick Jr.  Here is the website.

7. Fun ingredients

I love polymers – they are long chemical molecules that sometimes look like spaghetti.  Making GAK is straight up polymer chemistry!  The borax detergent links the glue  together to make polymers!  Throw in some green or red food coloring and you’ll have amazing Christmas chemistry!  Find this GAK gift here.

8. Experiential gift

There is one thing about seeing dinosaurs in a museum. But it is a whole other adventure to walk in their footsteps! See information here about Dinosaur Valley State Park.  We are going to try and make it in 2015!

So there you have it!  Part 2 of my Christmas gift ideas!  Thank you for all your feedback and excitement about the blog! I love connecting with you, so feel free to leave me comments, suggestions, and ideas!

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