If you’re looking for a fun kids’ activity book or a gift for Dad on Father’s Day, this creative and quirky activity book is loaded with things to do together. Take a peek inside Dad’s Book of Awesome Science Experiments.
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I was provided a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher in 2014.
Are you counting down the days until summer vacation yet? Are you also getting a little anxious about what to do with the kids all day long?? Don’t worry. I’ve got you covered. I have so many great ideas to keep the kids busy and I’m sharing one of them today.
We found a really cool book at the library a few months ago called Dad’s Book of Awesome Projects: From Stilts and Super-Hero Capes to Tinker Boxes and Seesaws, 25+ Fun Do-It-Yourself Projects for Families. As you might guess, it is full of things to do with kids that really are pretty awesome.
Last month, the publisher contacted me to see if I would be interested in seeing the new book by the same author, Dad’s Book of Awesome Science Experiments: From Boiling Ice and Exploding Soap to Erupting Volcanoes and Launching Rockets, 30 Inventive Experiments to Excite the Whole Family!
I know the word gets overused, but the best way to describe this book is awesome.
About Dad’s Book of Awesome Science Experiments
Both books are by stay-at-home dad and freelance writer, Mike Adamick. Dad’s Book of Awesome Science Experiments includes 30 science activities for kids of all ages. These are meant to be done with a parent but are easy enough for your child to take the lead (depending on age) while you supervise. Adamick wrote the book just for this reason. Kids love to explore the world around them and ask why.
The single best feature on my smartphone is the ability to push the microphone button and ask Google a question. Just in the past week or so, I have needed to ask, What is the smallest bird in the world and How far is it from the clouds to space? (In case you’re wondering, the answers are ‘bee hummingbird’ and ‘about 450 miles.’)
Each of the experiments in this book is clever, fun, and kid-friendly. Not all of them are too easy though. The intro talks about learning from failure, which I think is important for kids to do. Take a peek inside.
Inside Dad’s Book of Awesome Science Experiments
The book is organized by topic and includes chemistry, biology, physics, earth science, and the human body. You’ll find familiar experiments, such as making rock candy and changing flowers from white to colored by placing them in a glass of food-colored water.
There are also unique ideas that you probably haven’t thought about before, like making a rocket with a straw and balloon. It also includes messy projects, like the classic baking soda and vinegar volcano. There are projects that require nothing more than your own body, like the blind balance activity.
Each activity is broken down into easy-to-follow steps. There is an introduction and an explanation of why it works.
Then there is a list of the supplies you need and the steps to do the activity.
Each experiment ends with suggestions for ways to change up the project or do more with it.
As you can guess, we tried one of the messier ones first. A classic: Mentos and Coke Rocket. Watch a video we made on YouTube.
One Mama’s review
I really like this book. So do my husband and the kids (ages 7 and 10). We have only tried one project so far, but everyone had a really good time.
It took us about an hour to do the Mentos and Coke Rocket. The kids spent a lot of time designing their first rockets. We also had some discussion afterward to answer more questions.
My favorite part of this book is the organization and layout. Every experiment is easy to understand and includes big, colorful photos. In the introduction to each experiment, the author tells an anecdote about when he and his daughter tried it, fun science facts, or just something to get you thinking.
We will definitely be doing a lot of these.
The only downside? The cost of extra materials.
Although most of these experiments can be done with things you probably already have at home, some of them do require purchasing supplies. Still, if your budget doesn’t have room for say, a navigational compass for the magnet experiment – just skip it and try a different one.
I recommend this book for parents of preschoolers through middle school. There are a lot of activities that the younger kids could do with help, or older kids could do independently. I think most kids like messy science, but even if yours doesn’t, give this a try. Most of these activities are just plain fun.
Oh, and in case you’re wondering about it being just for dads, forget it. As the title says, this book will ‘excite the whole family.’
Buy it
Dad’s Book of Awesome Science Experiments is available wherever you buy books and online at: Bookshop.org | Amazon.com | Barnes & Noble
If you did one activity every day, this would last you a whole month. If you’ve got other things planned this summer and can only squeeze in two activities each week, you’ve probably got the whole summer filled.
I’m planning on having a different theme for each day of the week, so one day will be science. My husband is already making a list of projects that we have to try.
We are looking forward to doing a lot of these this summer. Would your kids enjoy this book?
What’s next? Try these other fun and creative ideas on One Mama’s Daily Drama:
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