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I know what you’re thinking. Science gifts for boys! What about girls? Girls like science!
My intention is not to exclude girls in this post, but to draw attention to a troubling fact. Statistically boys lag behind girls in reading and simply don’t read as much as girls. Jon Scieszka of Guys Read, a non-profit literacy initiative for boys, wants to help change that. He advises giving boys books they’ll want to read to increase motivation. Of course!
Boys are more inclined to read informational texts and about topics that interest them. For that reason, giving boys science gifts that will get them reading too is a wonderful idea. We can help boys connect reading to something they love to do with their hands. Giving boys a hands-on science gift together with a book related to the topic, will naturally entice them to read too!
Here are three science themes (super popular in our house) with specific products and book ideas to help you create a unique gift your boy will delight in.
Engineering & Architecture Science Gifts for Boys
Last summer my family spent time with a couple who had boys in their teens and twenties. As we waited for dinner, they pulled out some blocks to entertain our young son. These blocks were not impressive. They were natural wood, not colorful, and they were all the same size and shape. How boring, I thought.
But the family went on to say that this set of blocks (planks) was the best toy investment they ever made. Their boys used them all throughout their childhood. By the condition of the box and the discoloration of the blocks, it was obvious the blocks were well loved.
The family’s testimony to this product convinced me to get a set for our almost five-year-old son for Christmas. After about two years of use I’m getting a sense for what this family was raving about.
These Keva “planks” are simple, yet they open up a world of ingenuity and critical thinking for kids. The only limit of these planks is kids’ imaginations. Open-ended toys like this make great gifts. They teach kids skills without trying hard. Much better than a plastic toy that has one use and will end up in the trash. Planks are a win for our family too.
My son uses these planks to create different building designs, roads, and ramps. He never makes the same thing twice. And it’s fun to see how tall his structure can go before collapsing.
Keva Structures 200 Plank Set
Engineering & Architecture Related Books
Look at That Building!: A First Book of Structures by Scot Ritchie
- Grades Preschool-2
- 32 pages
- Published 2011
- Join Sally and her friends as they learn what it takes to build a structure from the foundation to the rooftop
Usborne See Inside Famous Buildings by Rob Lloyd Jones
- 16 pages
- Published 2009
- Lift the 50+ flaps to peek inside some of the world’s famous buildings
- Learn facts about how the buildings were built and their history
How Do Bridges Not Fall Down? by Jennifer Shand and Srimalie Bassani
- Grades 2-5
- 32 pages
- Published 2018
- Learn engineering and architecture principles behind the construction of bridges, locks, arches, columns, and skyscrapers
Iggy Peck, Architect by Andrea Beaty
- Ages 5-8
- 32 pages
- Published 2007
- Meet young Iggy who loves to build in this fun read aloud written in verse
- Kids will love the tower of diapers and St. Louis pancake arch, but the climax comes when Iggy and his classmates work together to create a suspension bridge and save the day
Secret Engineer: How Emily Roebling Built the Brooklyn Bridge by Rachel Dougherty
- Grades 1-2
- 40 pages
- Published 2019
- Learn the science behind bridge construction through this biography of an amazing woman engineer
National Geographic Kids Skyscrapers by Libby Romero
- Grades 2-4
- 48 pages
- Published 2017
- Level 3 reader teaches kids the history of skyscrapers and how they’re built
- Includes a quiz and glossary at the end
Chemistry Science Gifts for Boys
My son likes puzzles, so I am always on the lookout for high quality puzzles with interesting illustrations. When I happened upon this Usborne periodic table puzzle I wasn’t sure if it’d be that interesting, but I decided to take the chance.
I underestimated how much this puzzle would do for my son. He was immediately engrossed in all the symbols and wanted to learn what they meant.
The accompanying book gives more specifics about the elements. Each element is cleverly illustrated to demonstrate the characteristics of the elements. They intrigued my son and he just had to know more.
I’ve been learning a lot about the elements too, thanks to this puzzle. It’s such a fun, unique way to learn the periodic table and perfect for visual learners. What’s nice about this science gift for boys is that you get a toy and book all in one!
Periodic Table (Usborne Book & Puzzle)
Now that my son has been introduced to elements and shown such a strong interest, we’re going to get him a molecular modeling set for Christmas. I am confident that he’ll enjoy learning about atoms and bonding with Happy Atoms. The introductory set contains magnetic pieces to build 508 molecules. After building molecules, kids can scan them with a smartphone or tablet and use the included app to identify and learn about the molecules.
Happy Atoms Magnetic Molecular Modeling Introductory Set
If grandparents pitch in, we’ll likely go for the complete set. It’s very pricey, but it has sixteen elements, fifty atoms, and over 17,000 molecule possibilities. What’s attractive about the complete set is that our daughter can use it for high school chemistry next year.
Happy Atoms Complete Set
Chemistry Related Books
The Kitchen Pantry Scientist: Chemistry for Kids: Homemade Science Experiments and Activities Inspired by Awesome Chemists, Past and Present by Liz Lee Heinecke
- Grades 2-7
- 128 pages
- Published 2020
- Learn about 25 famous scientists in this beautifully illustrated book
- Step by step directions for experiments related to the work of the scientists, like making soap and a lemon powered light
The Element in the Room: Investigating the Atomic Ingredients That Make Up Your Home by Mike Barfield
- Grades 2-6
- 64 pages
- Published 2018
- Sherlock Ohms leads the hunt for mysterious elements in this entertaining book. Find atomic comics and pages of fun facts about the elements.
The Kid’s Book of Elements: An Awesome Introduction to Every Known Atom in the Universe by Theodore Gray
- Ages 6-9
- 128 pages
- Published 2020
- See every element in the periodic table represented in big colorful photographs
DK Eyewitness Books: Chemistry: Discover the Amazing Effect Chemistry Has on Every Part of Our Lives by Ann Newmark
- Grades 3-7
- 72 pages
- Published 2005
- Learn how chemistry has been used throughout history and is being used today
- Like all DK Eyewitness books, it’s filled with lots of illustrations and snippets of interesting information
What Are Atoms? (Rookie Read-About-Science) by Lisa Trumbauer
- Grades 1-2
- 32 pages
- Published 2005
- Short text and simple illustrations are perfect for young learners to read on their own
- Get introduced to concepts like electrons and protons, elements and molecules
Electricity Science Gifts for Boys
My daughter received many science gifts over the years, but she was never interested in them. One day my son found a box of her barely-used Snap Circuits in our game closet. He was only in preschool at the time but insisted on trying them out. Although the box recommends ages 8+, I figured he’d enjoy looking at all the pieces, even if it was way over his head.
My son surprised me again with his eagerness and ability to figure things out. He became fascinated with Snap Circuits. The instructions are picture-based, so he quickly learned how to put circuits together in the right sequence. At first he needed some assistance, but in no time he was able to problem solve when he didn’t get the desired results. He’d look back at the instructions and figure out what piece was missing, in the wrong location, or not attached properly.
My son loved the junior set so much that he saved up his own money to buy a bigger set that has lights! It’s so exciting to see him learn to identify different electronic parts and apply that to other things in our home. He disassembles electronic toys and gadgets and shows me the tiny circuit boards he discovers.
Snap Circuits Jr.
The junior kit comes with over thirty parts to make over 100 circuits. A red blinking light, a fan, a siren, and an alarm are some of the fun things kids can power up.
Snap Circuits Light Electronics Exploration Kit
The light kit has over 55 parts to make over 175 different projects. These pieces are compatible with the junior kit and all other snap circuits. If you lose a piece in one, like we have, you can substitute from the other. My son loves all the colorful lights in this set.
Electricity Related Books
Oscar and the Bird: A Book About Electricity (Start with Science) by Geoff Waring
- Grades Preschool-3
- 32 pages
- Published 2011
- Oscar the kitten is curious about how things work, and thanks to his friend Bird, he learns all about electricity
- Power life safety is addressed
The Magic School Bus and the Electric Field Trip by Joanna Cole
- Grades 2-5
- 48 pages
- Published 1999
- Join Ms. Frizzle and her class on a field trip through electrical wires
- Like all Magic School Bus books it’s margins are filled with mini notebook papers filled with additional notes about electricity
Switch On, Switch Off (Let’s-Read-And-Find-Out Science 2) by Melvin Berger
- Grades K-3
- 32 pages
- Published 2001
- Young kids find answers to the mystery of electrical energy with simple explanations about circuits
- Simple experiment included so kids can generate their own electricity
Electricity and Magnetism (A True Book: Physical Science) by Cody Crane
- Grades 3-5
- 48 pages
- Published 2019
- Learn how the forces of electricity and magnetism work and the useful tools they can make
- Includes experiments to try and helpful glossary, charts, and diagrams
Charged Up: The Story of Electricity (Science Works) by Jacqui Bailey
- Grades 2-6
- 32 pages
- Published 2004
- Learn about where electricity comes from to power up your home
Engineering and architecture, chemistry, and electricity are fascinating science themes for boys. With these gift ideas you can give the boys in your life something tangible to play with that teaches concepts and skills. But, you can make your science gifts for boys even better. Combine your gifts with science related books to encourage reading. Boys need to read about topics that interest them and discover for themselves how meaningful and enjoyable reading can be.
Source:
Jon Scieszka. Guys Read
