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Top 10 Science Gifts for 2013

Science Gifts Can Make Christmas A Fun Experience For All
Remember waking up on Christmas day? There was an air of anticipation and excitement as we lined our presents up ready to dive in. My mom would make us wait as long as possible so the time would not fly by so fast. I used to think it was torture! I had to shake each box and try to figure out what was inside. Today, I understand the need to prolong the day of Christmas. I watch my children eagerly open their presents and squeal at the new toy they received from Santa.
While I do enjoy the gifts, I want to also be practical. Not in the new socks kind of way, but in helping to grow my child's joy of learning. Below are some suggested gift ideas to help expand your child's love of science. I know my daughter will be getting a few science related toys this year. I hope this list gives you a few great ideas for gift buying.
You can buy these cool Christmas Fractal Cards at amazon.com
Get Up Close And Personal This Year - Be good Santa is keeping his eye on you!

This super bionic eye is a great present for exploration of just about anything you can put under the eye. You can look at skin cells, compare animal hairs, or come up with a great Christmas game! Grab objects from around the house, pass out blank paper and pencils, then place each object one by one under the bionic eye. Make sure you cover your object from prying eyes! No peaking in this great guessing game. After you are finished, count up all of the correct answers. The person with the most correct answers wins!
Dr. Who fans will enjoy this one. - Exterminate!

You better hop out of bed quickly or be exterminated! This alarm clock is a charming replica of a Dalek from Dr. Who. Let your inner geek out and enjoy this fun gift. Bonus : You will not have to worry about any sleepy heads staying in bed with this alarm.
Copernicus Radiometer - Light Up The Holidays In a Whole New Way

You will have fun experimenting with light with this neat gadget. Will the Christmas lights cause the rotor to spin faster? Do blinking lights effect the rotors? What about colored lights? How do the colors effect movement? There are many ways you can play with this radiometer, and it will get any kid's brain to spinning as well.
Do Educational Gifts Make Great Christmas Presents?
Do Educational Gifts Count As Presents?
This Clock takes telling time to a new level. - Is time relative?

This clock is great because it stretches your mind. It might be 12 o'clock, but it's also 6 X 2 or 10+2 o'clock. Equations can help you expand your math knowledge, and this clock is a great conversation piece for the home or office.
A Great Stocking Stuffer For Thinkers - What if there were multiple realities?

I read this book back in high school, and I still remember it well. I haven't picked it up since, but it made me think of how the world would be so different if time ran in different directions or simply stopped. This book is a conversation starter, and it will make you think.
Explore Other Science Gift Ideas
You can explore the Discovery Channel, National Geographic, NASA , and more for that unique Christmas present this year.
- ThinkGeek
Selling geek t-shirts, mugs, ties, high caffeine products, and many other gifts for programmers, linux hackers, and open source geeks. - Zazzle.com Store
Shirts, pins, mouse pads, and more - Discovery Gifts | Educational Gifts - Discovery Channel Store
Find educational gifts for everyone on your list. Shop the official Discovery Store for exclusive Discovery toys, gifts by price and Discovery staff picks! - National Geographic Gifts
Shop National Geographic for creative gifts for women, men and kids, or create the perfect personalized or custom gift for anyone on your list. - Young Explorers
Educational Toys for Little Explorers - Kennedy Space Center Official Gift Shop : The Space Shop at NASA
Kennedy Space Center Official Gift Shop : The Space Shop at NASA
Green Gadgets for Christmas - Play with circuits and more.

Help your little electrician develop their skills by picking up one of these kits. You can discover green energy through several different activities and experiments. This kit will keep the kids busy for hours.
The Coolest Paperweight Ever. - This one is on my list for Santa.

This ecosphere is a self sustained ecosystem. You do not have to water or feed anything inside. It is just the coolest thing since Sea Monkeys, and yes these little creatures live inside the ecosystem. There is just something about watching them swim around and the fact that I can explore their little environment. I feel like Jacques Cousteau, but I'm getting a little carried away here. You be the judge.
Have you ever sat around and thought about the logistics of Santa's delivery of presents?
It's mind boggling!
Perhaps you and other scientists around the house can calculate the speed needed for a sled to go around the world in one night and deliver presents to children around the world. Man Santa must have rocket boosters on that sled, or maybe he drives at warp speed? If you think about it, you can come up with some pretty creative answers to the age old questions about Santa.
Examining the Exoskeleton. - A great gift for hands on learners.

I can't say what I really want because this is rated PG, but man this model rocks. I love the look of this bad boy. I think any little boy would squeal when opening this present. The best part is parents can interact with their child in putting it together (adult supervision is recommended). This is a life sized model and would make a great Christmas gift.
Teach Spot To Score A Touchdown. - Spot might be a goldfish, but he can still score one for the team.

This cute set would be an awesome addition to any aquarium. If you are adventurous, you could even train your goldfish. Believe me, it is possible. There could be a whole study on animal behavior using this kit. If you don't have the time, that's ok. It would still look great in a little boys room with all of his sports equipment and decorations.