Are you ready to discover a super fun—and delicious!—way for kids to discover the basics of physical chemistry and matter? Let me introduce you to… Edible Science!
Exploring science through delicious experiments is a wonderful way to get kids excited and eager to learn. Below, you will find 10 books PERFECT for an Edible Science Unit Study! Children will be learning all about matter, density, solutions and solubility while experimenting with foods like popcorn, popsicles, maple syrup, and chocolate.
If you are new here, let me explain. Each month I release a brand new Family Unit Study, which is perfect for the whole family to enjoy together, as the activities work for all children aged 6-12 years old. In fact, most of the activities work perfectly for younger children, too!
Each Unit Study covers 10 topics, and each of those 10 topics includes:
- An interesting fact and discussion question
- Informative readings at your fingertips
- A hands-on activity with materials you already have at home
- ‘What’s Happening’ information to accompany your hands-on activity
- A curated YouTube video
- A math word problem or literacy prompt
- AND a suggested book that fits that topic!
Grab a sample and take a peek inside my Stars and Constellations Unit Study! You can also see the entire collection of Unit Studies available in my shop right here: https://shop.howweelearn.com/collections/family-unit-studies-1
Today, I thought I would share with you the 10 topics we cover with one of our most popular unit studies—Edible Science—and the suggested books that beautifully fit each topic.
I strongly suggest you get these books from the library if you are able to. I have also included my Amazon affiliate links below, in case you would like to add them to your personal library.
Ready to explore some delicious science? Here we go!
10 Books Perfect for an Edible Science Unit Study!
Topic 1: What is Matter?
What is Matter? Matter is anything that has mass and takes up space. The food you eat, the water you drink and even the air you breathe are made of matter. How can that be? Matter exists in three main states; solid, liquid and gas. The cookie you eat is a solid, the water you drink is a liquid, and the air you breathe is a gas. Can you think of other solids, liquids and gases you encounter in your everyday life? Let’s explore…
Book Selection: Change It!: Solids, Liquids, Gases and You by Adrienne Mason
Description: Change It! takes the physics of matter—solids, liquids and gases—and transforms it into an enjoyable and easy-to-understand first science book.
Topic 2: Popsicles
Popsicles: Matter can change states when there is a loss or absorption of energy such as temperature. Sweet treats such as popsicles and freezies are created when matter changes state from a liquid to a solid due to a decrease in temperature and a process known as freezing. Let’s explore…
Book Selection: The Boy Who Invented the Popsicle: The Cool Science Behind Frank Epperson’s Famous Frozen Treat by Anne Renaud
Description: Budding scientists will be inspired to emulate the way Frank follows his curiosity, works hard and never gives up—a growth mindset in action.
Topic 3: Chocolate
Chocolate: Chocolate comes from the cacao trees which grow in hot, humid climates. Pods from the cacao trees are harvested, dried and roasted. Next, they are shelled and the cocoa nibs are ground into a paste or liquid. How does it become a chocolate bar? Let’s explore…
Book Selection: Make It: Chocolate by Madison Spielman
Description: Early readers explore the history of chocolate and how it’s made in this captivating nonfiction reader that features vibrant images and fresh, informational text.
Topic 4: Maple Syrup
Maple Syrup: What tree produces a most-loved, edible syrup perfect for topping pancakes with? The maple tree of course! After the sap from the maple tree is harvested, the process of evaporation plays a key role in turning the watery sap into a sweet and tasty syrup. Let’s explore…
Book Selection: A Kid’s Guide to Maple Tapping: Let’s Make Maple Syrup by Julie Fryer
Description: Written especially for the young sugarmaker and filled with photos, illustrations, and activities, this book takes the reader from tree to table. You’ll learn what trees to tap, how to collect the sap, how to make syrup, and the science behind this age-old process.
Topic 5: Popcorn
Popcorn: What tasty snack dating back thousands of years makes a big pop? Popcorn of course. A little bit of science will explain the why and how behind this favourite snack. Let’s explore…
Book Selection: Let’s Pop, Pop, Popcorn! by Cynthia Schumerth
Description: Told through exuberant rhyme, a group of children shows the step-by-step process of how America’s favorite snack comes about.
Topic 6: Density
Density: Have you ever wondered why you have to shake a bottle of salad dressing to evenly mix all of the components? Both solids and liquids have density. The more dense a liquid, the heavier it is. Why is density important for understanding how salad dressing is made? Let’s explore…
Book Selection: How Big? How Heavy? How Dense?: A Look at Matter by Jennifer Boothroyd
Description: A light beach ball floats on the water. A heavy rock sinks in the mud. Matter is all around us. But what makes a beach ball different from a rock? And what properties do we use to compare matter? Read this book to find out!?
Topic 7: Butter
Butter: Butter is one of many products made from dairy (more specifically cream). Cream is a type of heterogeneous mixture called a colloid. While cream looks like an even mixture, the tiny fat particles are not fully dissolved. So how exactly does cream become butter? Let’s explore…
Book Selection: From Grass to Milk by Stacy Taus-Bolstad
Description: How does grass help cows make yummy milk? Follow each step in the food production cycle―from cows eating grass to ice-cold milk― in this fascinating book!
Topic 8: Ice Cream
Ice Cream: Ice cream is a sweet, frozen dessert consumed all over the world. The main component of ice cream is dairy products such as milk and cream. How exactly does milk become cold, creamy ice cream? A little bit of chemistry! Let’s explore…
Book Selection: Curious About Ice Cream by Bonnie Bader
Description: Where did this cool treat come from? And how did its popularity spread? If you’re curious about all things ice cream, this fun, visual 8 x 8 developed with the food curators at the Smithsonian is now on the menu!
Topic 9: Solutions and Solubility
Solutions and Solubility: Have you ever mixed sugar into a glass of water? The sugar dissolves creating a sugar and water solution. How about salt? It dissolves in water as well. Why is that? Let’s explore…
Book Selection: Mixtures and Solutions by Hugh Westrup
Description: This purposefully leveled text features hands-on, challenging science experiments and full-color images. Students will learn all about chemistry, colloids, solubility, solutions, and much more through this engaging text that supports STEM education and is aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards.
Topic 10: Rock Candy
Rock Candy: Not only can a solution become saturated, as you saw in the Kool-Aid experiment, it can become supersaturated. What happens when a hot, supersaturated solution of sugar and water is left to cool? Crystallisation and rock candy. Let’s explore…
Book Selection: Science You Can Eat: Edible Experiments for Hungry Minds by DK
Description: Discover the seriously impressive science that goes on every time you cook or eat. This children’s book explores the science of food by asking questions you’re hungry to know the answers to, and putting them to the test through fun experiments.
And there you have it, my friend! The 10 books PERFECT for an Edible Science Unit Study.
xo
Sarah
If you love these 10 Edible Science ideas, or if you have a child who loves all things science and delicious, be sure to grab my Edible Science Unit Study right here!
Leave a Reply