Games, Puzzles, and Toys, Step by Step Science Activity Projects is part of the Hands-On Science series from the Smithsonian Institution. It is a fun book of experiments that young children can replicate, under supervision of course. My favorite activity is Bubble Brew. To make bubbles, mix liquid detergent, water, and Jell-O powder and Karo Syrup together, and using straws, blow bubbles on top of a hard surface. The experiment shows how to make different types of straws for different size bubbles, how to blow half bubbles, bubbles inside of bubbles, multicolored bubbles etc. This activity can get very wet, so it is important to cover the work surface with newspaper or a vinyl tablecloth.
At the end of the experiment activity, there is a lesson about molecules and surface tension, spheres, pressure, the color spectrum, and all other scientific information that can be observed by making and observing the bubbles.
The beauty of this book is that most of the science experiments are simple, utilize everyday household items, and are not dangerous. When people think of at home science experiments, everyone remembers their little brother’s chemistry set exploding, and that is how Whiskers lost his whiskers. These experiments are not only not dangerous, they are pretty safe. The cleanup time is minimal, and the science lessons are very easy for even a younger child to understand. All of the activities in the book are great for a Saturday afternoon, a summer day, or even after school. They are good for a small group or even an individual child. I particularly like the Bubble Brew, because cleanup will also make the kitchen table or countertop clean at the end because it uses soap.
The instructions are very easy to follow, and are accompanied by diagrams and illustrations that a child of six or seven could easily follow.
Other experiments in the book include making boats, rockets and planes, and understanding the scientific properties that make all of these crafts move. Although most of the toys created seem more gender appropriate for boys, this is a fun way to introduce girls to science. All of the experiments look fun, and I was very tempted to create my own Bubble Brew. After all, who doesn’t like bubbles? Three Stars.