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14 awesome science gift ideas to smarten up your Christmas list

Make Christmas shopping an exact science.
Make Christmas shopping an exact science. Make Christmas shopping an exact science.

From hand-made musical instruments and photo collections of insects, this Christmas gift guide will help you find a present for the science fan in your life.

With suggested gifts from £5 to £200, there’s something to suit most budgets.

1. Periodic table washbag

Periodic table washbag.
Periodic table washbag.
(dotcomgiftshop/PA)

Any recipient will be in their element (groan) with this washbag from the dotcomgiftshop, available for £14.95.

2. Aurora Borealis Heat Change Mug

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As the mug is filled with a hot liquid, the drinker is treated to a view of the Aurora Borealis. It costs $14.99 (£11.20) from Thinkgeek.

3. City lights globe light

City lights globe light.
City lights globe light. (Pete)
£99.99 (Menkind/PA)

The cities of the world are illuminated on this globe which stands on a stainless steel base and is powered by a USB cable with a mains plug. Get it for £99.99 from Menkind.

4. Chemistry Terrarium

Chemistry Terrarium
Chemistry Terrarium
£29.99 (Firebox/PA)

For those looking to perform some experimental gardening, Firebox has this Chemistry Terrarium for £29.99.

5. Science stationery set

Science stationery set.
Science stationery set. (Ryan Stein)
$19.99 (Thinkgeek/PA)

A grateful recipient will surely be able to pen an extraordinary thank-you note with this science stationery set from Thinkgeek for $19.99 (£15).

6. Personalised Periodic Table Coaster

Personalised periodic table coaster.
Personalised periodic table coaster.
£7.50 (Not On The High Street/PA)

Add a personalised touch with a coaster of your recipient’s initials in the style of an element from the periodic table, with a hint of Breaking Bad. Available from Not On The High Street for £7.50.

7. Flyte Levitating Light Bulb Walnut & Copper

Flyte Levitating Light Bulb.
Flyte Levitating Light Bulb.
£200 (Conran Shop/PA)

Billed as part science experiment, part art installation, Flyte is a levitating light that “sets the light bulb free”. It’s available from The Conran Shop for £200.

8. DNA Personalised Keychain

DNA Personalised Keychain
DNA Personalised Keychain
£5 (Etsy/PA)

Visit Personally Charmed UK on Etsy for this £5 keyring which includes a double helix, personalised birthstone and initial letter.

9. Earth and Space Adult Colouring Book

Earth and Space Adult Coloring Book
Earth and Space Adult Coloring Book
$14.99 (Thinkgeek/PA)

Colour your way through the Nasa archives with this Earth And Space Adult Colouring Book. Alongside the blank versions, there are full-colour photos from Nasa to inspire you. Buy it for $14.99 (£11.30) from Thinkgeek.

10. Camera Patent Prints

 Camera patent prints.
Camera patent prints.
£6.14 (Etsy/PA)

These museum quality art prints show the inner workings of a traditional camera. Available via Stanley Print House on Etsy for £6.14.

11. Curiscope Virtuali-Tee £25

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This Virtuali-tee works with a smartphone app to let you see inside the body on a guided tour using augmented reality. It’s available from a child’s extra small to an adult XXL direct from Curiscope.

12. Chemist’s Spice Rack

Chemist’s spice rack
Chemist’s spice rack
$49.99 (Thinkgeek/PA)

Merge cookery and chemistry with this Chemist’s Spice Rack from Thinkgeek, priced at $49.99 (£37.50).

13. Hurdy-Gurdy – build your own fully fledged musical instrument

Ugears Hurdy-Gurdy
Ugears Hurdy-Gurdy (ROMAN_ZOLOTUKHIN )
£69.99 (UGears/PA)

For when building towers out of blocks is a bit too boring, step up the handmade credentials by creating a musical instrument of your own. The Hurdy Gurdy is available from UGears for £69.99.

14. Microsculpture Portraits of Insects by Levon Biss

Microsculpture Portraits of Insects by Levon Biss.
Microsculpture Portraits of Insects by Levon Biss.
£30 (Abrams/PA)

This talking-point book shows insects in “mind-blowing magnification”. Something to delight and fascinate people on Christmas Day – and beyond. Available from Abrams for £30.