For those who yearn for scientific knowledge and understanding, a gift that relates to their fascinations is something that will surely amuse them.
Explore our comprehensive list of fun and cheeky gift ideas for someone who loves science.
Science Decor
Geek out their living space with science-themed decor! It’s a unique and personalized gift that adds a touch of personality to their home.
Visit an observatory
For the astronomy lover, visiting an observatory is among the best attractions you could experience. Observatories have highly advanced telescopes that allow them to experience the night sky at a resolution unlike anywhere else.
For a very special experience, you can buy them tickets to visit an observatory.
You could find observatories all over the world. Some of the most significant and most popular ones include ones like:
- Griffith Observatory, Los Angeles, USA – This observatory is located on a hill overlooking Los Angeles and offers stunning views of the city and the night sky. It features a number of telescopes, exhibits, and planetarium shows.
- Kitt Peak National Observatory, Arizona, USA – This observatory is located on a mountain in southern Arizona and is home to some of the world’s most powerful telescopes. Visitors can take guided tours and view the night sky through the observatory’s telescopes.
- Royal Observatory Greenwich, London, UK – This observatory is located in London and is home to a number of historic telescopes, including the Great Equatorial Telescope and the Altazimuth Pavilion. It also houses a planetarium and a museum dedicated to the history of astronomy.
- La Silla Observatory, Chile – This observatory is located in the Atacama Desert in Chile and is home to several telescopes, including the 3.6-meter telescope, which is used for a wide range of astronomical research. Visitors can take guided tours and observe the night sky through the observatory’s telescopes.
- Sydney Observatory, Australia – This observatory is located in the heart of Sydney and offers views of the night sky and the city skyline. Visitors can take guided tours and view the stars through the observatory’s telescopes.
T-Shirt
Let your science-loving friend or family member wear their passion on their sleeve with a fun and quirky science-themed t-shirt! It’s a thoughtful and personalized gift that allows them to proudly display their love for science while adding a touch of humor and style to their wardrobe.
Science Kit
Ignite their curiosity and spark their creativity with a science kit! It’s a hands-on gift that provides hours of entertainment and educational value, allowing them to indulge in scientific experiments and discoveries based on their interests in chemistry, physics, or other fields.
Science Book
Open up a world of knowledge with a captivating science book! It’s a thoughtful and informative gift that can range from popular science books to educational textbooks or scientific memoirs, providing your loved one with opportunities to learn, explore, and expand their understanding of the world.
Go stargazing
Whether they’re a seasoned astronomer or a curious newbie, gazing up at the night sky is an awe-inspiring experience that will leave them feeling humbled and amazed by the wonders of the universe.
If going to visit an observatory is out of the picture, then consider simply taking them stargazing.
You can make a nice day / night out of it, by preparing a nice outing together. Pack some snacks, get some chairs or blankets, and prepare some good spots to go to do the stargazing.
Check out a handy article from NASA to learn how to find good places to stargaze.
Board Games
Board games are an excellent way to bond over shared interests, and science-themed board games like Cytosis, Qurious Space, and Evolution offer a unique and engaging way to enjoy friendly competition while learning about science together.
Science-themed adventure or getaway
For a full on science themed experience, you can take them on a science themed adventure or getaway.
For example, you can visit the Kennedy Space Center in Florida or the CERN particle accelerator in Switzerland.
Additionally, you can check out companies that host trips and tours related to specific scientific interests. Some that you could check out include:
Natural Habitat Adventures: Offers trips focused on wildlife, conservation, and sustainability, including expeditions to see polar bears, whales, and other animals in their natural habitats.
Astronomy Adventures: Specializes in astronomy-themed trips, such as trips to view solar eclipses, meteor showers, and other astronomical events.
Smithsonian Journeys: Offers educational travel programs that explore a range of topics, including science, history, and culture.
Academic Travel Abroad: Offers educational travel programs with a focus on science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), such as trips to explore ancient astronomy, study marine biology, and visit leading scientific institutions.
Jewelry
Science-themed jewelry is a thoughtful and personalized gift that allows your friend or loved one to proudly display their passion for science. It’s a fashionable and meaningful way to show support for their interests and add a touch of scientific flair to their style.
Mug
A science-themed coffee mug is a fun and practical gift that can brighten up their mornings and bring a smile to their face. It’s a thoughtful gesture that adds a touch of humor and creativity to their daily routine, reminding them of their love for science with every sip.
Jigsaw Puzzle
Jigsaw puzzles are a fantastic way to unwind and relax, and science-themed puzzles add an educational twist to the fun. They provide a challenging and enjoyable activity that can be enjoyed solo or as a group, fostering quality time and intellectual stimulation.
STEM Kit
STEM kits are educational and hands-on gifts that allow your friend or loved one to delve into science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in a fun and interactive way. It’s a gift that promotes learning, creativity, and critical thinking, providing hours of engaging entertainment.
Take a guided tour of a research facility
There are a number of research facilities around the world where some of the most important scientific inquiries and discoveries are carried out.
A lot of these offer guided tours. For a special and unique experience, consider getting tickets for a guided tour of a research facility.
Search your local area to see if there are any interesting research facilities that offer guided tours.
Microscope
A microscope is a thoughtful and awe-inspiring gift that encourages exploration and discovery at the microscopic level. It opens up a fascinating world of tiny wonders, allowing your friend or loved one to observe and learn about the intricate details of microscopic specimens.
Telescope
A telescope is a captivating and educational gift that allows your friend or loved one to explore the vastness of the celestial realm. It opens up a world of wonders, allowing them to observe and learn about distant stars, galaxies, planets, and other celestial objects.
Wall Art
Science-themed wall art is a unique and personalized gift that adds personality and inspiration to any space. It’s a thoughtful gesture that allows your friend or loved one to showcase their love for science in their home or office, creating a visual reminder of their passion.
Molecular Model Kit
A molecular model kit is a hands-on gift that promotes understanding and experimentation in chemistry. It’s a thoughtful and educational gift that allows your friend or loved one to visualize complex molecular structures, fostering a deeper appreciation for the wonders of chemistry.
Tickets to a science center / museum
Science centers offer interactive exhibits and educational programs that a science lover can appreciate. For something that they’re very likely to really enjoy, consider getting them tickets to a science center or museum.
Search online to see if there are any science centers or museums near you. Or, check out some of these which are highly regarded among the top science centers:
Exploratorium, San Francisco, USA – This museum is known for its interactive exhibits that allow visitors to explore a wide range of scientific phenomena. The exhibits cover topics such as physics, biology, and astronomy.
Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Washington, D.C., USA – This museum features exhibits on the history of aviation and space exploration. It is home to a wide range of artifacts, including spacecraft, airplanes, and space suits.
Science Museum, London, UK – This museum features a wide range of exhibits covering topics such as energy, medicine, and computing. It also has an IMAX theater and a planetarium.
Deutsches Museum, Munich, Germany – This museum is one of the oldest and largest science museums in the world. It features exhibits on topics such as technology, communication, and transport.
Ontario Science Centre, Toronto, Canada – This science center features over 500 exhibits on topics such as biology, physics, and space exploration. It also has a planetarium and an IMAX theater.
3D Printer
A 3D printer is an innovative and cutting-edge gift that sparks creativity and imagination. It’s a gift that allows your friend or loved one to bring their ideas to life and explore the world of 3D printing, providing endless possibilities for innovation and hands-on learning.
Weather Station
A weather station is an educational and practical gift that provides real-time data on temperature, humidity, air pressure, and weather forecasts, allowing them to observe and analyze weather patterns like a pro.
Go to a science festival
Science festivals are places where they can enjoy interactive exhibits, much like a science center. They are also places where they can congregate and be around fellow science lovers.
See if there are any upcoming events near you and consider getting them tickets to a science festival.
For inspiration, here are a few well regarded ones that you can check out:
USA Science and Engineering Festival: This is the largest science festival in the United States, featuring more than 3,000 hands-on exhibits and 30 stage shows.
Edinburgh International Science Festival: This festival takes place in Scotland and includes a variety of events, such as science-themed plays, debates, and exhibitions.
World Science Festival: This festival is held in New York City and features a series of lectures, debates, and discussions on a variety of scientific topics.
The Royal Society Summer Science Exhibition: This exhibition takes place in London and showcases the latest scientific research from the UK.
Maker Faire: While not strictly a science festival, Maker Faire events around the world celebrate science, technology, and engineering through hands-on activities, workshops, and exhibits.
Robot Kit
Ignite their passion for robotics with a robot kit! It’s a hands-on and interactive gift that promotes creativity, coding skills, and engineering concepts. They’ll have a blast building and programming their own robots while honing their problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
Visit a science themed cafe
A science themed cafe can make for a great hang, while they can indulged in one of their favorite interests. For a highly thoughtful outing together, consider taking them out to a science themed cafe.
You may have some difficulty finding one, so try to search in your local area to see if there any nearby.
For a neat example, check out The Miracle Of Science in Cambridge, MA.
Raspberry Pi Kit
Fuel their tinkering and DIY spirit with a Raspberry Pi kit! It’s a versatile and powerful gift that allows them to experiment with computer programming, electronics, and home automation projects. They’ll love the endless possibilities and learning opportunities that come with this unique gift.
Smart Garden
Bring the joy of gardening indoors for your green-thumbed friend or loved one with a smart garden! It’s a unique and innovative gift that allows them to grow their own herbs, flowers, or small plants year-round, even in limited space environments. They’ll appreciate the convenience of automated watering and LED grow lights, while also fostering a connection with nature and promoting sustainability.
Visit a Science themed escape room
Escape rooms require analytical and critical thinking, two aspects that are essential to engaging in scientific inquiry.
For a cool collaborative activity, consider taking them to an escape room.
You can search around to see if or which are near you and to see if any offer rooms that are related to scientific themes.
Night Sky Projector
Help them stargaze from the comfort of their own home with a night sky projector! It’s a mesmerizing and enchanting gift that creates a relaxing and immersive atmosphere with realistic projections of stars, planets, and constellations. They’ll be captivated by the beauty of the night sky and inspired to learn more about astronomy.
Galaxy Crystal Ball
Add a touch of cosmic wonder to your friend or loved one’s space with a galaxy crystal ball! It’s a mesmerizing and decorative gift that showcases the stunning beauty of the galaxy in a small crystal sphere. They’ll love the swirling colors and mesmerizing patterns that create a captivating visual display.
If they love videos or documentaries, then getting them a subscription to a video streaming service that covers science related topics is a great idea.
There are several platforms out there, such as these that you can check out:
CuriosityStream: CuriosityStream offers thousands of documentaries and non-fiction TV shows on science, history, nature, and technology. They offer gift cards and gift subscriptions.
The Great Courses Plus: The Great Courses Plus offers video courses taught by top professors on a wide range of science and technology topics. They offer gift cards and gift subscriptions.
NOVA: PBS’s NOVA produces science documentaries and series on a range of topics, from astronomy to biology to physics. You can gift a DVD or Blu-ray set of one of their programs.
Science Friday: Science Friday is a weekly science news and discussion show that airs on public radio stations. You can gift a membership to their Science Club, which includes exclusive content, merchandise discounts, and other benefits.
Smithsonian Channel Plus: The Smithsonian Channel offers streaming access to documentaries and series on science, history, culture, and nature. They offer gift subscriptions.
Clock
Add a cosmic touch to their home with a space-themed clock! It’s a functional and decorative gift that features space-themed aesthetics. They’ll love the unique and eye-catching design that combines their love for astronomy with a practical timekeeping function.
Pen
Inspire your friend or loved one’s passion for aerospace and technology with a futuristic pen. The pen is crafted with aerospace-grade alloys, known for their durability, lightweight properties, and resistance to corrosion. They will be sure to appreciate the attention to detail and engineering excellence that goes into crafting such a pen.
Subscription to a science magazine
If they enjoy a read while being entrenched in their fascination for science, then consider getting them a subscription to a science magazine.
Here are a few science magazines to explore to get you started:
Plasma Ball
Bring the wonders of electricity to them with a plasma ball! It’s an interactive and intriguing gift that captivates with its colorful displays of electric plasma. They’ll have a blast touching the glass sphere and witnessing the mesmerizing patterns of lightning-like bolts.
Floating Lightbulb Lamp
Add a touch of magic and wonder to their space with a floating lightbulb lamp! It’s a unique and eye-catching gift that creates the illusion of a floating lightbulb through magnets and electromagnetic forces. They’ll be fascinated by the physics behind it and love the mesmerizing visual display.
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