Category: Horrible Science

WIN one of 5 children’s science books – Zombie Spiders and Asteroid Blasters giveaway 

Posted on | by Jo at Whizz Pop Bang | 6 Comments on WIN one of 5 children’s science books – Zombie Spiders and Asteroid Blasters giveaway 

Looking for a children’s science book giveaway packed with curiosity, humour and real STEM ideas?
We’re giving Whizz Pop Bang readers the chance to win one of five copies of Zombie Spiders and Asteroid Blasters – a fun, fact-filled science book that uses wild “what if?” questions to explain real physics, biology and space science to curious children aged 8–12.

What’s Zombie Spiders and Asteroid Blasters all about?

Written by science communicator Maynard Okereke, this brilliantly bonkers book takes ideas that sound impossible and explores them using real science.

Inside, readers will discover:

  • 🧠 Whether zombies could ever exist
  • 🕷️ What it would really take to create giant spiders
  • ☄️ How scientists might stop an asteroid hitting Earth
  • 🚀 The science behind sci-fi films, games and comics

Each chapter starts with a big, imaginative question and breaks it down using clear explanations, humour and evidence, helping children think like real scientists.

Why Whizz Pop Bang readers will love it

This is exactly the kind of book that appeals to curious Whizz Pop Bang fans:

  • 🔬 A fun science book for kids who love asking “how does that work?”
  • 📖 Easy to dip into – perfect for reluctant readers and confident readers alike
  • 🤯 Encourages critical thinking and problem-solving
  • 🎮 Ideal for fans of sci-fi, gaming and STEM

It’s a fantastic example of a STEM book for children that makes big ideas exciting and accessible.

How to enter this children’s science book giveaway

To be in with a chance of winning one of 5 copies, simply answer this question in the comments:

Which of these is a real type of spider?

A) Black belt spider
B) Hairy toed spider
C) Happy-bum spider

This competition closes on 28th February 2026. Click here for full terms and conditions.

Frequently asked questions

Who is this book suitable for?
This book is ideal for curious children aged around 8–12 who enjoy science, sci-fi and asking big questions.

Do I need to be a Whizz Pop Bang subscriber to enter?
No – the competition is open to all Whizz Pop Bang readers.

Is this competition open internationally?
No, this giveaway is open to UK entries only.

Good luck!

We love sharing science books for kids that spark curiosity, stretch imaginations and show how exciting real science can be. Good luck to everyone entering – and keep asking brilliant (and slightly bonkers) questions! 💥🔍


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Halloween science experiments!

Posted on | by Jo at Whizz Pop Bang | 2 Comments on Halloween science experiments!

Are you looking for some spooky science to do at home? If you want to know how to do some Halloween experiments and make DIY Halloween decorations, you’ve come to the right place.

Discover how to create edible fake blood, craft a spooky window scene, turn Halloween candy into dancing Franken-worms, mix up a batch of gooey oobleck slime and carve a puking pumpkin right here.

In Whizz Pop Bang’s Autumn Science bundle, mini scientists can…
👻 Dive into a world of blood-curdling fun in Spooky Science, make edible fake blood, blood cell cereal and working model heart and more!

🍄 Discover all sorts of weird and wonderful fungi in Fantastic Fungi! Make mushroom-spore artwork, craft model mushrooms, experiment with feeding yeast fungi and more.

⏰ Explore some time conundrums in Time Quest! Play silly 60-second games, discover how cuckoo clocks work, meet an spacetime astrophysicist and so much more!

See Magazine Bundles In The Shop

Whizz Pop Bang is our award-winning science magazine that brings science to life for children aged six to twelve (and their parents too)!

Discover how easy it is to enjoy science at home with Whizz Pop Bang magazine. Spark your child’s imagination with lab-loads of hands-on experiments, the latest science news, tantalising puzzles and amazing facts.

Subscribe today to start your child’s adventures in discovery and to inspire the scientists of the future!

Browse Whizz Pop Bang subscription packages
https://www.science-sparks.com/pumpkin-lava-lamps/

1. Pumpkin Lava Lamp

This brilliant activity by Science Sparks uses common kitchen ingredients to make a bubbling pumpkin laval lamp.

You will need:
A clear bottle or jar
A bottle of vegetable oil
Orange food colouring
Glitter
Water
Alka Seltzer (or try fizzy vitamin tablets)
Black pen and pipe cleaners for decoration

Head over to Science Sparks to find out how to make this epic lava lamp!

2. Spooky window scene

You will need:
A pencil
Black card or paper
Scissors
Translucent sweet wrappers or coloured tissue paper
Sticky tack
Battery operated tea lights

What you do:

  1. Draw your design on black card or paper.
  2. Cut it out.
  3. Add the windows and cut them out.
  4. Use see-through sweet wrappers or tissue paper as window panes.
  5. Add finishing touches (we cut out bats and ghosts!)
  6. Use sticky tack to stick to a window. Add battery operated lights to make your scene glow!

3. Dancing Franken-worms

Turn the contents of those overflowing trick or treat buckets into a fun learning opportunity. Find out how to use bicarbonate of soda and vinegar to make gummy worms dance over at Playdoh to Plato’s blog!

Fill half term with science with the Autumn Science Bundle!

See the Autumn Science Bundle Now

4. Ooey Gooey Oobleck

Find out how to make the freaky non-Newtonian fluid, oobleck! It’s a great Halloween science activity (and it’s easy to clean up!)

You will need:
Mixing bowl
Spoon
Cornflour or custard powder
Water
Food colouring (optional)

What you do:
1. Place four heaped tablespoons of cornflour or custard powder into a bowl.
2. Add a splash of water and stir the mixture. Keep adding water a little at a time, until the mixture is about the same consistency as honey.
3. If you add too much water, add some more cornflour or custard powder.
4. Add a little food colouring if you like and mix it in.

Watch the video to find out more about the strange properties of this special substance.

Thanks to Henry, aged 7, for sending in pictures of his brilliant bats!

5. Puking Pumpkin Experiment

You’ve carved a pumpkin – now use science to make it even more fun with this brilliant idea from Little Bins for Little Hands! Click here for step-by-step instructions

Looking for more home science fun? From science experiments, science activities, collectible science club badges to science colouring and more, you’ll find loads of brilliant ideas right here!

Not yet a subscriber? Sign up today!

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Children's author Nick Arnold joins Whizz Pop Bang team

Horrible Science author Nick Arnold joins the Whizz Pop Bang team!

Posted on | by Rachael Tapping | Leave a Comment on Horrible Science author Nick Arnold joins the Whizz Pop Bang team!

Nick Arnold joins the WPB team

 

Errrrr gross! Slime, goo, rotting fish and the unimaginably disgusting are what you think of when you hear Nick Arnold’s name mentioned. Yes, the Horrible Science author is joining the Whizz Pop Bang team so watch out everyone, Nick’s armed and ready to saw off some legs 🙂

We’re head-to-toe excited about having Nick on board – what more does a children’s science magazine need than a brilliant science writer who gets everyone into the weird and wonderful world of science!


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