Gift Guides For Children Aged 6-12

Whether your child is an aspiring scientist, a creative thinker, or an outdoor adventurer, this gift guide is filled with engaging, educational, and fun ideas that inspire curiosity, creativity, and exploration. These gifts are perfect for hands-on play, learning, investigating and creativity.

If you’re interested in eco-friendly gifts, you’re covered – you’ll find plenty of presents here that are printed using only paper from FSC/PEFC certified suppliers. That’s Christmas, sorted!

For Scientists-in-Training (Aged 6-12)

Nurture their love of discovery with these hands-on science gifts that are both fun and educational. They’re perfect for children who love to explore new ideas, solve puzzles, and embark on imaginative journeys.

Letterbox Lab – The Explore Box
Suitable for explorers aged 6-12, each box is filled with exciting experiments that make science fun and accessible. All consumables needed for each experiment are included!

Letterbox Lab – The Investigate Box
More advanced experiments for kids aged 8-12 who are ready to dive deeper into science, delivered to your door every month.

Subscription to Whizz Pop Bang Magazine
A monthly magazine packed with experiments, facts, and activities for science enthusiasts.
Check out this amazing Christmas offer on subscriptions – get a FREE riddle book worth £6.99! Order by 19/12/24. 

Hoopla: Daring Dinosaurs
Peer into the distant past to take a look at awesome dinosaurs! Find out how to hunt for fossils, and if you don’t spot any, you can make your own fossil replica! Craft a terrific pterosaur and bake some delicious dino cookies. Plus there are puzzles, jokes and a roar-some dine personality quiz to take!

Whizz Pop Bang Snip-Out Science Book
Craft paper volcanoes, flying machines and more with this book of hands-on projects that blend science, creativity, and fun.

Whizz Pop Bang Science Scrapbook
A creative space for young scientists to plan investigations and record results of experiments.

Space magazines
Explore the Sun, Moon, Mars and the stars in this epic collection of space-themed science magazines.

Lab coat
This science essential keeps clothes in tip-top condition during even the messiest experiments!


More Gifts We Love!

Dinosaur magazines
From prehistoric flying beasts to the story of extinction, Whizz Pop Bang’s back issue collection is full of fact-packed reads for any wannabe palaeontologist.

Whizz Pop Bang Joke Book
Get ready for some super science-y giggles, with over 200 hilarious jokes to get the whole family laughing out loud!

Subscription to Hoopla Magazine
A wonderful magazine for curious kids aged 4-9, filled with science, positivity, creativity, and wellbeing. A gift that keeps on giving with new inspiration every issue!
Check out this amazing Christmas offer on subscriptions – get a FREE magazine! Order by 19/12/24. 

Hoopla: Secrets and Spies
Tiptoe into the world of secrets, spies and codes! Design a fantastic face mask to hide your identity, make your own cipher wheel, cook treats with hidden messages inside and solve some safe-cracking puzzles. Head outside to look for nature clues as you make a beautiful wristband, plus there are riddles, jokes and a colouring page to enjoy.

Whizz Pop Bang Riddle Book
Test their wit and problem-solving skills with this fun and engaging collection of over 150 tricky teasers.

Whizz Pop Bang Puzzle Book
Jam-packed with more than 150 brilliant brain-bending puzzles, all with a science twist! With so many puzzles to get stuck into, it’s sure to keep your child busy for hours and hours!

Hoopla: Treasure Hunt
Shine a light on glittering treasure! Grow your own edible crystals, craft a shining star and go on a treasure hunt! You can find out about shimmering goldfish and bake some delicious treats to give as a gift. Plus there are puzzles, jokes and a treasure-themed quiz.

Looking for gifts for curious explorers aged 4-9? Find a gift guide here!


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Make a record-breaking paper aeroplane!

Here’s a record you CAN try to beat at home. The farthest flight by a paper aeroplane made from a single sheet of A4 paper is 88.31 metres! Find out how to make another record-breaking plane here:

Have you ever wondered if it’s possible to skydive without a parachute?! Head this way for the answer (and to watch a jaw-dropping video all about it!)

Find out about more amazing record-breaking journeys in Whizz Pop Bang 113: FESTIVE SCIENCE FUN!


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Skydiving WITHOUT A Parachute?!

Here’s a record-breaking journey that needs to be seen to be believed!

In 2016, Luke Aikins set a record for skydiving 7,6000 metres without a parachute! While travelling at 193 km/h, he steered his way to a safe landing on a bouncy net.

Watch Luke’s record-breaking fall here:

Here’s a record you can try and beat at home – find out how to fold the best paper aeroplane in the world here!

Find out more about awesomely amazing record-breaking journeys in Whizz Pop Bang 113: FESTIVE SCIENCE FUN!


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Enter the Young Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Competition!

Have you heard of the Natural History Museum’s Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition? It’s a brilliant chance for young nature-lovers like you to show off your photography skills. Best of all? Kids can enter free!

This competition is all about celebrating the beauty and wonder of the natural world. When you take part, you’ll join people from all over the world who love capturing moments in nature, whether it’s animals playing, birds flying or tiny bugs doing their thing.

When you enter, your photos could be chosen to be part of an amazing exhibition at the Natural History Museum that people from all over the world come to see. Imagine your photo on display, inspiring others to care more about wildlife and the environment!

Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas won the Young Wildlife Photographer Of The Year – Grand Title 2024 award.

This photo is of fruiting bodies of slime mould and a tiny springtail. It was taken by Alexis Tinker-Tsavalas in Germany, and he was awarded Young Wildlife Photographer Of The Year – Grand Title 2024. Find out more about this incredible photograph here.

Taking pictures of our wonderful planet isn’t just fun – it also can also remind everyone of the beauty of nature, and why protecting it is so important.

The winners of 2024’s Wildlife Photographer Of The Year Competition are currently on display at the Natural History Museum in London. Click here to find out about visiting the exhibition and have a look at some of the winning and highly commended images here.

So, if you love taking pictures and want to share what’s special about the world around you, grab a camera or phone, head outside, and capture something amazing. You might be the next young wildlife photography star!

It’s completely free for anyone under 26 to submit up to ten photos!

Full terms and conditions are available on the Natural History Museums website.


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The Science Museum Puzzle Book: Journey Into Space – puzzle answers

Find the answers to the puzzles from this page here. Haven’t tackled these teasers yet? Click here to give them a try!

WATCH THE SKIES! Stargazer D has seen the most stars. A has seen 4 stars. B has seen 3 stars. C has seen 2 stars. D has seen 5 stars. E has seen 1 star. 

FOLLOWING INSTRUCTIONS Message reads: REMEMBER TO
SAVE ALL THE INFORMATION THAT YOU HAVE KEYED IN

SHAPE UP Only box C contains all the parts to build the robot.

The Science Museum Puzzle Book: Journey into Space by The Science Museum is published by Seven Dials available in Trade Paperback and eBook on the 7thNovember 2024. RRP £14.99.


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COMPETITION CLOSED – WIN The Science Museum Puzzle Book: Journey Into Space!

Here’s your chance to win one of ten copies of The Science Museum Puzzle Book: Journey Into Space. Keep reading to tackle some of the intergalactic puzzles featured inside!

Plan a mission, train to be an astronaut, launch a rocket and discover what it’s like to live in space as you tackle the teasers in this brilliant puzzle book!

As well as over 100 space-themed puzzles, this book is stuffed with essential space facts and profiles of significant people and moments linked to space exploration.

Put your brain to the test with these puzzles, taken from Journey Into Space: A Science Museum Puzzle Book. You’ll find the competition below these puzzles.

Click here to find the answer.

Click here to find the answer.

Click here to find the answer.

We’ve got ten copies of this book to give away! Simply answer the question in the comments to be in with a chance.

Which person has travelled into space?

A Helen Sharman
B Galileo Galilei
C Arthur C. Clarke

The Science Museum Puzzle Book: Journey Into Space by The Science Museum is published by Seven Dials available in trade paperback and eBook on 7th November 2024. RRP £14.99.

This competition closes at midnight on 30th November 2024 and is open to UK residents only. Whizz Pop Bang competition terms and conditions are here.


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Olympics in space?!

It wasn’t just people on Earth who were glued to the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics – astronauts on the ISS were inspired by the athletes, too! They added elements of Olympic sports to their training programmes (and it looks like they had a lot of fun doing it, too!)

Watch the astronauts who were inspired by the Olympics here!

Read more fascinating science stories like this one in every edition of Whizz Pop Bang – find out how to subscribe here!


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COMPETITION CLOSED: WIN Seven Small Inventions That Changed The World Books!

Do you know a small scientist who is always coming up with new inventions? They are bound to love this new book which proves that small inventions can make a huge difference to our world!

We have five copies of Small Inventions That Changed The World by Roma Agrawak and Jisu Choi to give away! Thank you to Hachette Children’s Group for providing this epic prize.

This book shines a spotlight on tiny change makers including the nail, the wheel and string. It’s hard to image how such humble objects can be significant, but this book explains how they were crucial to the development of advanced technology like spaceships and skyscrapers.

Small Inventions That Changed The World takes readers on a spectacular and intriguing journey through centuries, from the Silk Road to the International Space Station.

We’ve got five copies of this stunning and inspiring book to give away! Simply answer the question in the comments to be in with a chance.

Which of the below is a type of engineering?

A Civet
B Civil
C Cirrus

Small Inventions That Changed The World by Roma Agrawal and Jisu Choi is published by Hachette Children’s Group and is available now. RRP £16.99.

This competition closes at midnight on 30th September 2024 and is open to UK residents only. Whizz Pop Bang competition terms and conditions are here.


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Whizz Pop Bang are going to Just So Festival 2024!

It’s not long until the fantastic Just So Festival kicks off – it’s running at Rode Hall, Cheshire on 16th – 18th August 2024. It’s an incredible outdoor adventure for families from bumps to great grandparents, and Whizz Pop Bang are so excited to be a part of the fun that’s in store!

The Whizz Pop Bang team are huge fans of this magical festival, and once again, we’re bringing a sprinkle of science to the programme!


Head to the Discovery Den to explore the wonderful world of water with Whizz Pop Bang, the awesome science magazine for kids

Cut, fold and float flowers that blossom due to capillary action
Make a floating boat
Dare you hold a glass of water over your head?!
And lots more (slightly damp) fun, perfect for children aged 6 to 12.


Find out more about the festival at justsofestival.org.uk, where the line up has been announced! Dance and sing to an eclectic selection of music, join the Ministry of Silly Dances, take part in a blancmange battle and the carnival of the animals, hear stories galore in the Spellbound Forest, and so much more enchanted adventure throughout the site. There’s something for every member of the family!


Whizz Pop Bang is an awesomely amazing monthly science magazine that brings science to life for children aged six to twelve (and their parents too)! There’s lab-loads of hands-on experiments, mind-boggling facts, puzzles, news and fun packed into each month’s magazine. Whizz Pop Bang sparks imaginations and inspires the scientists of the future from the moment it comes bursting through their letterbox. Subscribe today at whizzpopbang.com!

If you’re not lucky enough to be going to Just So Festival this year, but want to have heaps of fun with science, browse back issues in our shop now!


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COMPETITION CLOSED: WIN a pop-up bikes book!

Have your family been glued to the cycling in the Olympics? Bike fans will love Bicycles Pop-Up Book – a beautiful pop-up book all about cycling over the past 200 years. Featuring eight pop-up scenes crafted by master paper engineer, Dominique Ehrhard, this beautiful book will be treasured by cycle enthusiasts of all ages.

Simply answer this question in the comments to be in with a change of winning one of three copies of Bicycles: Pop-up Book by Dominique Ehrhard, worth £14.99 each. 

True or false: a fork is a part of a bike.

Good luck!

Bicycles: Pop-up Book by Dominique Ehrhard is available from good booksellers now. RRP £14.99. For stockists visit prestel.com

Competition closes at midnight on 31st August 2024. Full terms and conditions are here.


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