Candy Experiments

Candy Experiments #1

by Loralee Leavitt

Brilliant use of Valentine's, Easter, Halloween, and other holiday candy! Fun, colorful, and full of surprises, Candy Experiments will have kids happily pouring their candy down the drain and learning some basic science along the way.

 Candy is more than a sugary snack. With candy, you can become a scientific detective. You can test candy for secret ingredients, peel the skin off candy corn, or float an “m†from M&M’s. You can spread candy dyes into rainbows, or pour rainbow layers of colored water. You'll learn how to turn candy into crystals, sink marshmallows, float taffy, or send soda spouting skyward. You can even make your own lightning.

Candy Experiments teaches kids a new use for their candy. As children try eye-popping experiments, such as growing enormous gummy worms and turning cotton candy into slime, they’ll also be learning science. Best of all, they’ll willingly pour their candy down the drain.

Candy Experiments contains 70 science experiments, 29 of which have never been previously published. Chapter themes include secret ingredients, blow it up, sink and float, squash it, and other fun experiments about color, density, and heat. The book is written for children between the ages of 7 and 10, though older and younger ages will enjoy it as well. Each experiment includes basic explanations of the relevant science, such as how cotton candy sucks up water because of capillary action, how Pixy Stix cool water because of an endothermic reaction, and how gummy worms grow enormous because of the water-entangling properties.

Genres: Science, Nonfiction, Childrens, Cookbooks

160 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

Reviews

[Manybooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loralee Leavitt's 2013 Candy Experiments is the first instalment of two, and yes, I am only going to be reviewing the first volume since both of them are pretty much exactly identical (even with regard to their titles) except that in the second book (which was published one year later and thus in 2014) Leavitt features different candy based experiments. And yes, Candy Experiments (and I am of course talking about both volumes here) is both educational and also so so so much fun (and thus also also has Loralee Leavitt making science not just engaging and diverting but also something practical and exploring concrete learning). And while Candy Experiments is conceptualised and meant for children from about the age of seven to ten (with 70 candy experiments and with 29 of them never having been previously published), with proper adult supervision, even younger children could do and enjoy many of the featured activities, and well, teenagers and adults as well. For I (58 years old) have absolutely adored flipping through and looking at all of the colourful pages filled with neat and delightful (and sometimes wonderfully explosive) ways to do science using candy, really wish that something like Candy Experiments had been available when I was young and that my partner and I also tried a few of the experiments and both really enjoyed them and also learned much as well (as well as also making some pretty glorious messes).

Now Leavitt lays out user friendly and easy-to-follow instructions in Candy Experiments, showing how to perform all kinds of educational and fun tests on candy from Halloween, Valentine's Day, Easter, Christmas etc. etc. and with each experiment also providing a time frame (ranging from five minutes to up to a week) and the required skill level (from easy experiments to ones that are more involved, possibly dangerous and thus require or should require adult supervision). A great book full of fun and also full of science and learning is Candy Experiments (and yes, my rating for Candy Experiments and for what Loralee Leavitt presents in both Candy Experiments volumes is both solidly five stars and also very highly recommended for both at home and also for classroom use, not to mention that I also like how Leavitt with Candy Experiments demonstrates that one does not have to actually eat candies, that candies can also be used for STEM learning, for educationally engaging fun).

[B.E.Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great book not only for kids who enjoy science but kids who love candy(and what kid doesn't love candy). This book is filled with big colorful picture and fun candy experiments. Candy Experiment has 70 different experiments with all different kids of candy. The experiments are fun for all ages but not difficult enough that kids can't do them on there own. This book is for seven to ten year olds but I think with a parents help kids a little younger would love this book as well. I really liked how each experiment had a explanation that the kids could understand so they understand what will happen and why with each experiment. I have never seen a book quite like this and really enjoyed reading this book. I wanted this for my eight year old son and he loved it just as much. I highly recommend this book.
*I received a ARC of this book from NetGallery for my honest review, Thank you NetGallery*

[Stacey · Rating 5 out of 5]

My daughter got this book as a Christmas gift. Being the scientist that I am, I had to read through it and see what it was all about.
My daughter is 11, and is able to do all of the experiments without assistance (although she has only had time to do a few thus far). My son (age 8) will probably need a little help here and there. Most experiments only require water, a microwave, basic household tools that you already own.
I love how it gets my kids to do something else with the endless amounts of candy that seems to make its way through the doors of our home (I really don't buy candy to be honest). It gets them trying new things, thinking about things, and learning-all in a fun way. I only wish that I had purchased this book prior to Halloween-but it gives experiments and ideas for a wide variety of candies, so I feel confident that over time she will be able to do all of the experiments without me actually purchasing anything. Along with explaining how to do the experiment it has a short paragraph on why the candy reacts the way that it does.
I whole-heartedly recommend this book, and now I'm excited to be able to buy the 2nd book when my daughter finishes with this one. I'm sure this is also a book that will be easily passed down onto my son as well. Thanks Grandma for such a fun gift!

[Laura DeLuca · Rating 5 out of 5]

What are you going to do with all that Halloween candy that is just sitting in a bag? Are you going to let your kids gorge themselves? Are you going to let them ration it throughout the year? Are you going to take it to work with you to share the wealth with your co-workers? Or like some of us, are you just going to throw it out?

You don't have to wonder anymore with Candy Experiments. It takes the most popular candies and helps you make them into a fun science experiment! My kids absolutely loved doing weird things with their Halloween candy and can't wait till Easter to do more!

This book is a great idea for the kids in your life between the ages of 3-90. Yes, I did say 90! Even though the kids had fun with this, so did my husband!!


***Reviewed by Tiff for New Age Mama. Complimentary product received in exchange for an honest review***

[Stacie Wyatt · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read Candy Experiements, in exchange for review from netgalley.com. The book was written by Loralee Leavitt and published by Andrews McMeel Publishing.

The book was colorful. The graphics was amazing. The book showed children (and adults) how to use candy in experiments. Everything from sinking a marshmallow to removing the M off an M&M. The book talked about properties such as sinking, density, and floating. The book also discussed things like oil separating from water, in certain candy or peeling the waxy coating off a candy corn or tootsie roll. Maybe your kids want to paint with M&Ms. The book is wonderful and I recommend it.

[Ixchel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Candy Experiments is an awesome book because I was able to learned how to make science experiments using candy. I tried some experiments that turned out to give me pretty interesting results. I was also able to make some connections to the time I experienced Camp. Last Fall, I went to a camp where we were able to tried making science experiments using candies. One particular experiment I remember was making a mint life saver glow. At that moment I thought this was the best experiment I ever had tried. I was not prepared for the experiments and the results of the many experiments you can experience here in this book. This will give you a challenge from beginning to end. I truly recommend you to read this book.

[Novel Obsession · Rating 4 out of 5]

Looking for a science experiment your kids can peruse and do on their own? Maybe you need some easy to plan activities for a class? Loralee Leavitt’s Candy Experiments is a book to consider. Split into different categories, you can help children explore density, mixing colors, identifying ingredients, and more. The book is a full color book with easy to read instructions in an infographic like style.

Originally posted at novelobsession.com

[Lisa Brown · Rating 4 out of 5]

How would you like to do science experiments with . . . CANDY?! Full of tons of different fun and creative science experiments using all different types of candy - some of which you can still eat the candy afterward, and some that you will have to say goodbye to whatever candy you are using. Such a fun book, and my kids can't wait to try it out!

[Diana · Rating 4 out of 5]

For families who want their kids to trick-or-treat but don't want them to EAT the candy, this book is fabulous! Who knew you could do such cool things with candy? I appreciated the simple explanations of the experiments so the science isn't lost. Still not sure I'd want to eat rock candy off a piece of twine, but I'll bet it makes those crystals grow better!

[Cariadne · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were definitely great ideas on how to use the candy my children get from school and I was so excited, I had my 2nd grader read it. She definitely wanted to work on her science experiment from this book. We chose the Candy Acid one to do for fun and we saw some amazing results.

What I wish was for a deeper dive on what's happening and why. Certainly it was fun to observe the wild reactions, but it's missing an opportunity to tie more teaching. In the end, my child and I tried to do our own research.

That said, it was only through the reviews on GoodReads that I learned that Jolly Ranchers can increase the water's temperature?! Where was that in the book? And why is that? So many things that I wish the author or a scientist can explain more on for the readers.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

REVIEW OF ADVANCED READERS COPY E-VERSION VIA NETGALLEY.
This book is lovely. As a Science teacher this is one book that will be in my classroom library. Leavitt did a great job crafting a book that is interesting (who doesn't like candy?), educations (hello science content!), easy to read, and filled with gorgeous photographs. This book is a winner. It will make a wonderful reference for Science Fairs or projects. The material is perfect for Intermediate grades, but students K to 9 will enjoy the activities, and can learn much from observing or researching further.

[Samira Kawash · Rating 5 out of 5]

My 9 year old daughter exclaimed "this book is awesome!" after browsing through the colorful, enticing pages of Candy Experiments. Now she wants to have a Candy Science birthday party. I found the science explanations to be "just right," not too much to weigh down the fun but enough to show how the things that happen aren't just random. The experiments and text seem to me to be perfectly pitched to the target audience (7-10 years old) but as and adult I am completely fascinated by all kinds of amazing facts about the workings of physics and chemistry hiding in simple morsels of candy.

[Jacquie · Rating 5 out of 5]

(Viewed an Advance Copy via NetGalley)

The experiments are easy enough for young children, and introduce basic concepts such as density, mixing colors, and identifying ingredients. A strong point of the book is that each experiment is accompanied by a color photograph, and overall the book is bright, colorful, and attractive looking. I can see kids choosing this from a display, and as a librarian I would love to plan a program around some of these experiments.

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Checked this out for an upcoming candy science program. It was a good starting off point; experiments are separated into different types (density, hot & cold, expanding, dissolving)and each experiment lists the skill level for the child as well as length of time the it requires. Some were too long for my use, but perfect for kids to do at home. Contains Index.

[Sharie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really fun science book. I really like the part that explains what's happening in the experiments. Very 'normal' language used to explain. Many of the experiments are the same but with slight alterations. At least you can use what you have to find similar results.

[Beth Kakuma-Depew · Rating 2 out of 5]

Okay, the rock candy recipe they gave did not work. There was not enough info to figure out why it didn't work. Ugh.

I used another book to work with my son on his experiment. Turns out a 2 to 1 sugar to water ratio works better. FYI.

[Aftonator · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a good book for easy experiments. It didn't contain a lot of actual reading, just loads of recipes. The book was good quality. Some of the pictures of the results of the experiments were over dramatic and didn't protein to actual results.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a fun book for my son and me. We used some of his unwanted Halloween candy and tried several of the experiments. There are quick and easy experiments that take only minutes and also more involved experiments that take more time.

[Elsa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is so cool....Science experiments using candy!

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute experiments for the budding scientist or a rainy day.

[Terrah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full of fun experiments. I'd like to check it out again after Halloween and use up some of that candy!

[Nicole · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good, simple experiments with great photos. I'm going to have a lot of fun with the kids in my science program :)

[Nora · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book for getting rid of all that Halloween candy!

[Peter · Rating 2 out of 5]

All of the experiments involve either water or a microwave with dubious scientific merit. Not recommended.