Home > Resources for our Science Kits > Articles on Science Learning and Science Kits > The Dangerous Book for Boys Sparks Science Kits for the Whole Family

The Dangerous Book for Boys Sparks Science Kits for the Whole Family

In June 2006, two brothers in Great Britain published a book celebrating the wonders of being a boy. Their delightfully comprehensive tome, titled The Dangerous Book for Boys, includes everything from how to build a tree house, create messages in invisible ink, and perform card tricks to daring tales of adventure and intrigue, the ancient and modern wonders of the world, a sampling of Shakespeare, and much, much more. Audiences eagerly embraced the book, which hit the top of the United Kingdom's nonfiction charts multiple times and reached number two on Amazon's best selling books list during the first week of its U.S. publication.

"In this age of video games and cell phones," write authors Conn and Hal Iggulden in the book's introduction, "there must still be a place for knots, tree houses, and stories of incredible courage. The one thing that we always say about childhood is that we seemed to have more time back then. This book will help you recapture those Sunday afternoons and long summers -- because they're still long if you know how to look at them."

With its focus on exploring, creating and learning through real world experiences, The Dangerous Book for Boys was an obvious jumping off point for extended exploration in the form of hands-on science kits. Thames & Kosmos, known for their engaging and easy-to-follow hands-on science kits, was just the company to make it happen.

"We don't do a lot of licensing," says Stephanie Gerson, Product Marketing and Experience Manager for Thames & Kosmos. "There has to be a case for it content-wise. We thought this made a lot of sense given the synergy between our missions."

Those missions? Primarily, both Thames & Kosmos and The Dangerous Book for Boys strive to encourage children (both boys and girls, if you must know!) to participate in "real, unscripted, hands-on science learning," says Gerson, "scientific experiences away from the computer and television and video games." In addition to the focus on hands-on, real world exploration, Thames & Kosmos was attracted to the nostalgic, retro feel of The Dangerous Book for Boys, focusing on classic science experiments that appeal to parents and grandparents as well as to their children.

Jumping Off the Page
While the book includes some classic science experiments -- making a battery, timers and tripwires, secret inks, making an electromagnet, growing crystals and more – developers of the science kits were able to extend and expand those activities, going into greater depth and detail and, best of all, providing the materials you'll need to make each experiment a success.

In The Dangerous Book for Boys: Classic Chemistry set, you'll create a rich and beautiful Prussian blue ink that doubles as invisible ink, make soap, and even dissolve metal. Other classic experiments include separating the iron from iron-fortified cereals, creating stink bombs and smoke bombs, and making slime.

In The Dangerous Book for Boys: Essential Electronics, pranksters young and old can create a joy buzzer (perfect for shocking handshakes) and a vibrating insect. You can also build your own battery, a simple electric motor and much more.

Sharing the Fun
Using the book as a backdrop and jumping off point, The Dangerous Book for Boys kits have more of a story line than your typical science kit. "They just feel friendly and witty and you learn about the history of a lot of these experiments," says Gerson. "It's just a little less like straight up science and little more of the fun, friendly, accessible background." That accessibility, along with the nostalgic feel of the kits, she adds, likely will encourage parents and grandparents to join their kids in scientific exploration.

And what about girls?

"The fact that it says 'for boys' (might) attract girls less," Gerson notes, "however, I think sisters or friends of boys playing with them will inevitably get interested and get involved so I could see this getting popular with girls." In other words, don't let the name fool you. A girl can give you a good joy-buzzer shock just as easily – and hilariously – as a boy can!

More to Come
The Thames & Kosmos kits are due out in September 2009, and there are plenty of other tempting extensions planned around The Dangerous Book for Boys brand. The Igguldens have written four Pocket Dangerous Books for Boys: Things to Do; Things to Know; Natural World; and Facts, Figures and Fun, and Disney is rumored to be developing a movie based on the book. Also available are a Dangerous Book for Boys board game and card game as well as several magic sets, including The Dangerous Book for Boys Magic Kit; Card Tricks; Sleight-of-Hand Kit; and Illusions.

Home > Resources for our Science Kits > Articles on Science Learning and Science Kits > The Dangerous Book for Boys Sparks Science Kits for the Whole Family

DiscoverThis Science Kits and Toys is upfront