The 15 Best Science Gifts Of 2023
A low temperature Stirling Engine uses a small temperature difference to generate motion. If you place this device on top of a hot mug of water/tea/coffee and give it a slight nudge, the engine will pick up speed and run until the liquid cools. This device also works with iced drinks and lasts until the drink warms up too much.
Price: $40
The magnetic liquid (FerroFluid) inside the display moves with sound. There is a microphone on the back of this device that at picks up any audio, and then the venom moves accordingly. Also available in a wood style or a speaker version. If you don’t want the movement, you can always get a display bottle of FerroFluid, which is much cheaper, but still fun to play with.
Price: $130
This light-up periodic table includes some elements (non-hazardous). Using a remote, you can adjust the color settings. You can also get this display without the light-up stand if desired. There are some reports of knock-offs not having all the claimed elements inside. If this quality matters most to you, you can find the original authentic version here.
Price: $50 With Stand / $35 Without / $150 Authentic
It may look like the frog is there, but it’s actually just a 3-D Hologram image. The actual toy frog is hidden below and a curved mirror actually creates the illusion. The illusion only works when looking at certain angles. If set up correct, it looks really trippy. You can create a hologram of any small object that’s around the same size as the frog.
Price: $8
This cool lamp actually turns on by putting the two magnetic balls together. This balances them in tension without touching as shown in the image. Available in multiple styles.
Etch your own design on the acrylic sheets and that design will show up well when you turn on the LED Base. You can then use the remote to adjust the color settings. Optional Accessory: Engraving Tool
Price: $25 for four bases/sheets
A MOVA Globe is solar-powered and rotates in sun-light. These globes are available in different sizes and styles. The most common is a satellite view of Earth, but there are also globes for other planets in the solar system, as well as the moon.
Price: $200
Powered by Ocean Plankton, this orb produces natural light (bioluminescence) during night-time hours, usually starting around 7 PM. Since ocean plankton are living, they require sunlight to grow and stay alive. Follow the instruction manual that comes with this kit for the best results.
Price: $70
This desktop bird is powered by a glass of water. First, dunk the bird’s felt head in water to wet it. As the water on the felt evaporates, the bird’s head is cooled. The liquid inside the bird is very volatile, meaning it evaporates/condenses very easily. So, that evaporative cooling of the bird’s head is enough to condense some of the vapor inside the bird. This condensation reduces the pressure inside the bird’s head, which sucks up the liquid. Once the liquid has been sucked up enough, the bird becomes top-heavy and falls over, dipping its head back into the water. Now the bird’s felt head is wet again and the process begins all over.
Price: $10
The device appears to achieve perpetual motion by launching a ball off the ramp and back to the start. However, the device is actually battery powered and the magnetic balls get a slight boost as they go down the metal ramp. It’s this additional input of energy that makes this trick work. Also available in a wood style.
Price: $45
This device uses a magnetic ball to draw patterns in kinetic sand. Connect your phone to the app to control the patterns and LED colors. If you can justify the expensive price point, it is quite the mesmerizing gift.
Price: $340
This is a display bottle of magnetic liquid (FerroFluid) and it comes with the magnet shown. FerroFluid is very satisfying to play with and almost seems alien-like. Although it does not dance to music, this is a much cheaper option than the Dancing FerroFluid gift above, while still giving you the ability to play with FerroFluid.
Price: $25
The kinetic art piece runs smoothly and is powered by batteries. 4 AA batteries should allow the original version to run for 2 years, while the batteries will need to be replaced every 6 months for the desktop version. FYI, both the desktop and original version are much larger than it might seem from the image.
