The Book of Ingeniously Daring Chemistry: 24 Experiments for Young Scientists

Sean Connolly's 'The Book of Ingeniously Daring Chemistry' offers an engaging introduction to chemistry for STEM-curious kids. While the book's stated age range is 4-11, the publisher specifically recommends it for ages 9 and up, which aligns better with the complexity of the concepts and the 'chapter book' format. Younger children (4-8) can certainly enjoy the experiments with significant adult supervision and guidance, making it a fantastic family activity. Each chapter focuses on a single element, explaining its properties and discovery, with easy-to-follow experiments that bring the science to life. Parents should be prepared for some mess and ensure proper supervision, especially for younger participants. The book explicitly avoids dangerous chemicals, focusing on safe, accessible experiments.

From Sean Connolly, the master of messy and dangerous (and therefore extra-fun) science, a collection of more than 20 hands-on experiments that are like an interactive journey through the periodic table of elements. In this introduction to chemistry for STEM-curious kids ages 9 and up, each chapter of The Book of Ingeniously Daring Chemistry focuses on a single element—its properties, how it was discovered, and even its potential danger level. Easy-to-follow experiments help readers put their newfound knowledge into action. All that’s needed is a sense of adventure and some items from around the house. Make your own fossil with silicon. Use a pinhead and measure 166 feet of string for a mind-boggling insight into how a hydrogen atom is built. Discover oxygen and oxygenation by slicing an apple and seeing what happens an hour later. Harness the power of zinc with a potato clock. And enjoy a special hands-off feature about the “Dirty Dozen”—those nasty elements, from arsenic to plutonium, that can wreak havoc wherever they appear (there are no experiments using these chemicals). Matter really matters, and now you’ll really understand why.