We’ve got an amazing array of books to give away, perfect for curious children who love bugs, space, aliens and saving the planet! Thank you to our friends at Flying Eye Books for these gorgeous prizes!
Three lucky winners will each receive a set of four fantastic, fact-packed books that blend science, adventure and BIG questions about the universe. Here’s what’s up for grabs…
🪐 Cosmo Park by Madeleine Finlay and Tom Dearie Jump aboard a hover-buggy and zoom through a cosmic theme park in this vibrant comic-style book! Learn all about black holes, galaxies and the freezing end of the universe – all wrapped up in colourful illustrations and mind-blowing facts.
👾 The Unexplained: UFOs by Adam Allsuch Boardman Are we alone in the universe? Explore the mysterious world of UFOs in this graphic guide packed with alien sightings, strange encounters, and fascinating theories. Perfect for kids with big imaginations and even bigger questions.
How to enter
To be in with a chance of winning, just answer this question in the comments:
Which one of the below is not a type of beetle?
A) Rose chafer B) Ninety-nine-spot beetle C) Rainbow leaf beetle
Find out how to draw Dash the firefly from The Beastie Bros books with this simple drawing tutorial!
Have you read Beastie Bros: the Cabbage Juice Crime by David O’Connell? It stars an unlikely crime-solving duo – Dash the firefly and Dribble the snail. Keep scrolling to find out how to draw Dash the firefly!
If you’re interested in minibeasts, creepy crawlies and all sorts of insects, you’ll love Whizz Pop Bang: Minibeast Safari! Investigate the science of insects as you make an insect pooter, build a bug hotel, craft a balancing butterfly, meet jungle creepy crawlies and more. Plus there’s a competition to win Beastie Bros: The Cabbage Juice Crime by David O’Connell. You can find it in our shop now!
The dinosaurs are coming to the Utilita Arena on Saturday 31st May 2025, and YOU could be going to meet them there! Our friends at Sublime Science will also be there, demonstrating incredible prehistoric science. Keep reading to find out how you could win tickets to Jurassic Take-over Day…
This incredible immersive experience is packed with dinos of all shapes and sizes! Travel back millions of years as these almighty creatures are brought to life through realistic animatronics, talented actors and interactive props.
Meet T. rex, brachiosaurus, cute hatchlings and more at this walkthrough and theatre event. Dinosaur enthusiasts of all ages will love a trip to this immersive dinosaur experience for kids – Jurassic Take-over Day! If you’re looking for things to do with kids in May half term in the North East, look no further…
Our friends at Sublime Science will also be at Jurassic Take-over, showing off spectacular prehistoric science activities including dino egg hatching, an excavation station, a chance to build your own flying pterosaur and so much more. Get ready for a day packed with all awesome, unforgettable science!
Want to win tickets? We’ve got four tickets to Jurassic Take-over Day in Newcastle to give away to one lucky family!*
Simply tell us your favourite type of dinosaur in the comments to be in with a chance of winning!
Competition Rules
Terms and conditions: The prize is four tickets to Jurassic Take-over Day at Utilita Arena, Newcastle on Saturday 31st May 2025. No travel, accommodation or additional expenses are included. The competition closes at midnight on 22.05.25. The winner will be selected at random from all valid entries and contacted via email or direct message within 24 hours of the competition closing. The winner must respond within 24 hours to claim their prize. If no response is received within that time, a new winner will be chosen. The competition is open to UK residents aged 18 or over. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Instagram or Facebook. By entering, you agree to your details being passed to the event organiser solely for the purpose of issuing your tickets. No cash alternative is available. Full general terms and conditions apply – https://www.whizzpopbang.com/terms-and-conditions/.
Cheltenham Science Festival returns from 3rd to 8th June 2025, promising a week filled with interactive exhibits, inspiring talks, and hands-on activities tailored for young science enthusiasts. Whether you’re a parent, teacher or home educator, there’s something for every budding scientist.
For more details on the Cheltenham Science Festival and to book tickets, visit the official website.
Tuesday 3rd June 2025, 5.30pm, Cheltenham Town Hall. Age 7+
On your marks, get set, go… with Paralympic champion Grace Harvey and performance scientist Steve Ingham. Discover the physical and mental challenges of being an athlete and the science of how to become a champion. Find out what it feels like to win gold and learn how everyone can enjoy sport. Chaired by TV presenter Maddie Moate.
Saturday 7th June 2025, 10am, Cheltenham Town Hall. Age 7+
Join TV scientist and food physicist Chris Clarke on a colourful, zingy and messy journey through the science behind our favourite sweet treats. Explosive sugar, suspicious smells, the world’s sourest sweet and plenty more sensory experiences to tickle your tastebuds. Get ready for hands on demonstrations and plenty of tasters as Dr Chris whips, rolls, smashes and blows up his travelling confectionary kitchen.
Saturday 7th June 2025, various times, The Queens Hotel, Cheltenham. Age 5+
It’s time for a check up! Bring along your favourite stuffed toy to the teddy bear vet clinic, where you will learn what it’s like to be a vet and how you can keep your teddies happy and healthy. Get hands-on experience at working in a veterinary surgery from bandaging to taking x-rays, and learn what it’s really like to care for animals from real-life vet Jess French.
Saturday 7th June 2025, 10.30am, Pillar Room, Cheltenham Town Hall. Age 7+
Has a slug ever been to space? Can you unboil an egg? Bestselling science writer Isabel Thomas provides even more answers to the weird and wonderful questions that buzz around children’s brains at bedtime. Explore the answers with interactive experiments and bring your own bamboozling brainteasers for a chance to star in Isabel’s next book!
Saturday 7th June 2025, 12pm, Cheltenham Town Hall. Age 8+
Alright BOOM, TikTok star Big Manny is back with more amazing experiments that he’ll perform on stage and that you can try at home. This time we’re gonna be learning all about physics tings – from sound waves to circuits and mad magnetism to sparky electricity. Chaired by Greg Foot.
Saturday 7th June 2025, 12pm, The Parabola Arts Centre, Cheltenham Ladies’ College. Age 7+
Prepare for a storm chasing adventure as you explore the extremes of our planet with climate scientist and TV presenter, Mark Langtry. Harness hurricanes and twist tornados as you investigate our changing climate. This high energy show will make you feel powerful about your future and inspire you to make a positive impact on our world.
Sunday 8th June 2025, 10am, The Queens Hotel, Cheltenham. Age 7+
Can you build a robot with paper? Join origami engineer and roboticist Chenying Liu to explore the potential of origami in advanced robotics. Get hands-on and transform flat sheets of paper into impressive structures for robotics, sustainable home decoration and even space exploration.
Sunday 8th June 2025, 10.30am, The Parabola Arts Centre, Cheltenham Ladies’ College. Age 8+
Join the Guinness World Records for a science themed hour of jaw-dropping records, remarkable feats and fascinating facts – it’s fun for all the family. Discover how record breaking has changed over the years and what incredible records might be broken in 2025. Plus, take part and maybe set your own Guinness World Records title.
Sunday 8th June 2025, 11am, Pillar Room, Cheltenham Town Hall. Age 5+
Would an elephant eat your cereal? Could a hippo wallow in your bath? Join author and vet Jess French as you draw along with Shoo Rayner to transform your house into a zoo. Chaired by Becci Smith.
Can’t make it to Cheltenham? Here are other science festivals across the UK that offer family-friendly activities:
The Big Bang Fair – 17th – 19th June 2025, Birmingham. This event showcases STEM careers and interactive exhibits for young people.
Manchester Science Festival – Features a range of events, from hands-on workshops to science-themed art installations. Check their site for dates of their next festival.
Edinburgh Science Festival – Offers a diverse programme of activities, including experiments, shows, and discussions suitable for all ages. Check their site for dates of their next festival.
Oxford Science and Ideas Festival – Combines science with arts and culture, providing a unique experience for families. Next festival is in October 2025 – check their site for specific dates, to be announced in August 2025.
Note: Please check each festival’s official website for the latest information on dates and programmes.
Set off on a curious adventure with everyday objects in science presenter, Maddie Moate’s brand-new book! In How Does It Work, you can find out about all sorts of everyday objects and machines – from microwaves to smart speakers, playground roundabouts to supermarket checkouts!
If you’re a Maddie mega-fan, you need to have a look in Whizz Pop Bang: The Sugar Lab. She told us all about what it’s like to share her love of science on TV, YouTube and on stage.
We’ve got two copies of How Does It Work by Maddie Moate to give away to two lucky Whizz Pop Bang fans! To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer this question in the comments:
What does an apiarist look after? A) Apes B) Bees C) Cats
Spark their imagination with the Dino Discovery Bundle—a fantastic set of three dinosaur-packed magazines! This exciting collection of prehistoric puzzles, hands-on activities and fascinating facts will inspire any young dino fan.
Did you know that Whizz Pop Bang’s bargain bundles of back issues are a great way of giving the awesome science magazine for kids a try? Three issues – £14.99 (that’s just £4.99 per issue!) Six issues – £27.99 (that’s £4.66 just per issue!) Twelve issues – £49.99 (that’s just £4.16 per issue!) PLUS ALL PRICES INCLUDE FREE UK P&P!
🌟 What’s Inside the Dino Discovery Bundle?
Your young explorer will have the chance to make, discover, and investigate incredible prehistoric wonders!
🛠️ Make…
Encourage hands-on learning with fun dinosaur-themed activities that help kids explore the science behind these ancient creatures! 🦕 Fold a walking paper dino 🦕 Craft a pegosaurus 🦕 Bake sauropod footprint cookies 🦕 Erupt a fizzing volcano 🦕 Cut and stick a 3D T. rex that appears to follow you around! 🦕 Make a strata pot 🦕 Model replica teeth, bones and shells 🦕 Create a nodding stegosaurus 🦕 Fly a soaring pterosaur
🔍 Discover…
Your child will uncover mind-blowing dino facts, including: 🦕 The link between dinosaurs and birds 🦕 Did dinosaurs fart themselves to extinction? (Yes, really!) 🦕 Pterosaurs that were as big as aeroplanes 🦕 Dinos taller than houses 🦕 Terrifying sea predators that ruled prehistoric oceans 🦕 What life in the Cretaceous period might have been like
🧐 Investigate…
Your little scientist will dive into fascinating experiments, learning: 🦕 How pterosaur crests may have helped them fly 🦕 The science behind gliders and how they soar without engines 🦕 How asteroid and meteorite craters form 🦕 What happened to plants after the asteroid impact that wiped out the dinosaurs
More Exciting Science Bundles Available!
Looking for more educational fun? Explore our bargain magazine bundles packed with STEM experiments, space adventures, and prehistoric discoveries!
Oops – in all the Christmas rush, we didn’t manage to send this list to our subscribers. We’re so sorry and will do everything we can to make sure this doesn’t happen again.
Here’s a list of things you’ll need to complete the science activities in this edition. We haven’t included basic items such as scissors, paper etc.
MAKE A CAVE (page 7) A clean plastic bottle (a 1 litre drinks bottle is ideal) A piece of aluminium foil A rubber band A cocktail stick or small nail Modelling clay Some sand (around 750 g) Caster sugar
GROW YOUR OWN STALACTITES AND STALAGMITES (page 9) Two glass jam jars A saucer Wool or string Bicarbonate of soda, baking powder, washing soda or Epsom salts
MAKE EGGSHELL GEODES (page 11) Eggs and an egg box A paintbrush Salt (table salt, Epsom salts or alum) or sugar Food colouring Newspaper
SEED BOMBS (page 16 & 21) An egg cup Wildflower seed mix Compost Flour A plate
SETTLING SOIL (page 23) Two glass jars with lids Soil Two sticky labels
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.
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!
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.
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!
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.
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.
