11 Science Books for Hands-On Summer Reading Fun

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Most summer reading programs this summer will feature a science theme, with a good chunk of them using Collaborative Summer Library Program‘s Fizz, Boom, Read. We have a Pinterest board to gather ideas and resources for this, be sure to check out our Fizz, Boom, Read board.

Follow The Library Adventure’s board Fizz Boom Read on Pinterest.

Throughout the summer, we will be sharing some fun resources to encourage your kids (and YOU) to dive into some science related reading. Science is a broad subject, there is something for everyone.

Today I have a list of 11 books that will bring hands-on science fun to your home. So take a look at these books, head to your library to pick them up, and get busy! You can find even more science experiment fun around the 507.8 section of your library’s juvenile non-fiction section.

365 More Simple Science Experiments with Everyday Materials by E. Richard Churchill, Louis V. Loesching, and Muriel Mandell – An experiment a day keeps the boredom away.

The Kid’s Book of Simple Everyday Science by Kelly Doudna – Most of these kids can do on their own, but a few are marked with symbols to make sure they get help with sharp knives and/or hot objects.

Naked Eggs and Flying Potatoes by Steve Spangler – These are fun experiments with a few pictures with each one and an explanation of what is going on.

Mythbusters Science Fair Book by Samantha Margles – You could pair this book with some Mythbuster episodes on Netflix.

Star Wars Science Fair Book by Samantha Margles – Science for the Star Wars fans. Just like the Mythbusters book, the experiments are marked for ease and cost.

Sunny Days and Starry Nights by Nancy F. Castaldo – These nature-based activities are for ages 2-6, obviously requiring adult interaction, but are simple.

Science Play: Beginning Discoveries for 2-6 Year Olds by Jill Frankel Hauser – Lots of activities to cover a wide variety of science topics for preschoolers.

I’m a Scientist: Kitchen by Lisa Burke – This DK book is full of fun science activities you can do in your kitchen in under an hour.

Science Experiments with Water by Sally Nankivell-Aston and Dorothy Jackson – I would say that all of these experiments could be done by elementary aged kids independently.

Motion, Magnets, and More by Adrienne Mason, Illustrated by Claudia Davila – This was compiled from the books Touch It!, Build It!, Change It!, and Move It! The activities and readings in this book are divided into those sections.

Science Detectives: How Scientists Solved Six Real-Life Mysteries by the Editors of YES Mag, Illustrated by Rose Cowles – Real life mysteries? Check. Fun projects? Check. Science? Check.

Do you have a favorite science project/experiment book? We also like Usborne’s selection of science books for kids of various ages and stages.