Science Toys You Can Make With Your Kids

by Simon Quellen Field

These are excerpts from my upcoming book. As time goes on, I will be adding new material, so you might want to bookmark this page, and visit from time to time. The book describes in simple terms how to make toys that teach science. First I discuss how to make a toy, so those who only want to build the toy can do so without bothering with how or why it works. After that, I explain the science behind the toy, starting with simple concepts, and building to a college level. The reader can read as far as desired, then skip the more complicated stuff and go on to the next toy. Or they can build all the toys first and play, and be able to come back to the book when someone asks how it works. The table of contents will give you an idea of what to expect. From there you can see the first chapter on magnetism, and the fifth chapter on thermodynamics. All of the toys are things I have built and demonstrated many times, sometimes on television, sometimes in small groups. The most successful and interesting toys make it into the book.