Outdoor Science

Laura Minter and Tia Williams are two creative mums based in Sussex, UK. They started Little Button Diaries, their crafting and baking blog, in 2013 and its popularity has seen them blog for companies such as Paperchase, Laura Ashley, Halfords and Hobbycraft as well as contributing to The Sun and magazines including Creativity, Essentials and Mollie Makes. Tia has worked as an environmental adviser and studied Linguistics at university with a focus on child language acquisition and disorders. Laura was a primary school teacher and previously worked as a radio producer. Their previous careers have greatly informed the development of their blog and their books. Since 2016, they have written a variety of craft books for kids and parents such as; Science School, Kitchen Science, The Horrible Craft Book, The Big Book of 100 Little Activities, The Big Book of 100 Outdoor Activities and The Big Book of Dressing Up.

Having already read and reviewed two other fantastic non-fiction activity books by this duo of authors (Science School and Kitchen Science), I knew that this book would be a colourful outburst of lively, fun and engaging science activities for young readers. Outdoor Science: 30 Awesome STEM Experiments to Try at Home includes a range of brilliant, hands-on, creative, curious and messy experiments for inquisitive minds to get to grips with outdoors . All are science based but this is active science, mixed with developing DT skills and artistic flair alongside. Most of the experiments involve easily-sourced or inexpensively bought household equipment. The style of the book is eye-catching; each experiment is explained over multiple large, glossy four pages and features some bold full size photographs for real life comparisons as well as clearly sequenced numbered steps, lists of resources needed and clearly visual drawn diagrams with the science behind the experiment concisely explained, so the purpose of the activity and the learning behind it is always part of the fun. My firm favourites are the activities involving natural resources (the Mandela coasters, Fractal prints) which are so beautifully delicate and inspirational. Mud bob, sand volcanoes and DIY quicksand will definitely be the popular 'messy' outdoor science skills to try out. This is a great book to use in the upcoming summer months for STEM educational but exciting learning and active play.

• Introduction 6Getting started 8Rainbow machine 10Air and smoke cannon 14Bubble science 18Pizza-box oven 22Cloud magnets 26Hot and cool colors 30Compost in a bottle 34Rainbow kite 38Homemade slushies 42Ant farm fun 46Mini fire extinguisher 50DIY wind vane 52Mud bombs 56Color-changing petals 60Melted crayon art 64DIY quicksand 66Shadow artwork 70Stick slingshot 74Solar still 78Mandala coasters 92Scrap vegetables 96Sand volcano 100Egg drop challenge 104Mini microscope 108Flower power 110Fractal prints 114Water clock 118Glossary 122About the authors 126Acknowledgements 126