22 of the coolest science gifts for adults

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Shopping for science lovers can feel like visiting a distant planet when you don’t know exactly what you’re looking for. But whether you’re looking for a little nod to a science hobby, an educational tool, or just a fun gadget, our science lover gift guide has a variety of suggestions for creative, appealing gifts for everyone from the serious stargazer to the amateur -STEM enthusiasts in your life.

Price: $99.00 (shipping included)

Keep the fire of knowledge burning all year round with this special Nautilus Holiday Gift Subscription Box. Each issue of Nautilus explores a different scientific topic, allowing the reader to pursue their curiosity and broaden their understanding of the world around us. This gift grants digital access to the magazine in addition to the print edition and comes with a limited edition Moleskin notebook, a message from the editor and a personal note from you. Delivery guaranteed until Christmas!

Price: $40.00

This totally unique interactive book is, as the title suggests, a working planetarium that can project constellations onto the ceiling – but the fun doesn’t stop there. It also functions as a musical instrument, geometric character generator, infinite calendar, message decoder, and sound amplifier to teach various scientific principles to both adults and children. That’s right, despite being a “pop-up” book in a sense, this silly educational tool manages to be informative and engaging for people of all ages.

Price: $13.79+

Magic may be all the rage in fiction, but science is the real deal – and each new major advance often feels like something straight out of the smartest fiction anyway. Any devotee of science will appreciate the opportunity to express their appreciation for the field that creates wonders in the real world every day.

Price: $149.95

A portable digital microscope makes it a breeze to take a closer look at everything from coins to nature to other living specimens. Magnifying up to 120x, this particular model has LEDs to brighten the field of view and the ability to capture and save images to an external microSD card.

Price: $98.00

Kinetic energy never ceases to be a source of fascination, and this strange, abstract, swinging rod sculpture takes full advantage of that. Designed to be constantly moving without appearing repetitive or predictable, this piece of art makes a fun and creative addition to any space.

Price: $13.99

Color-changing mugs never get boring, and this one gradually transforms from a starry night sky into an exploration of our solar system with just one hot drink. And yes, Pluto is still at it.

Price: $16.00

Normal cocktails will seem boring to you after indulging in this sci-fi/fantasy-centric bartending book that features recipes based on popular fiction. fandoms out star trek to Doctor Who to final fantasy are represented here, so get ready to be sipping Tatooine Sunsets for the foreseeable future after gifting this creative fusion of geekdom and mixology to a lucky nerd.

Price: $29.99

Normal playing cards are so boring; Shake things up with this particle physics card game instead! Each card features a different subatomic particle, along with some handy educational information for those who like to mix education and entertainment.

Alternatively, check out this deck of scientist cards if it better suits your loved one’s Curie Osity!

Price: $15.08+

This creative and colorful work of art offers a wide range of information on various electromagnetic radiations, ranging from broadcast waves to comic book rays and radio spectrums. Originally designed in 1944, it gives it a vintage feel that adds character to the education and honors some of our key discoveries.

Price: $259.95

This award-winning telescope is intended for beginners new to exploring the night sky, but it’s anything but a toy. It has a usable magnification of up to 189x and comes with 25mm and 10mm eyepieces and a 2x Barlow lens. Also included is a GPS, gyroscope, tripod and an app to help with identification. Best of all, it’s easy to use for all ages and experience levels.

Price: $6.95

If you’re looking for a gift for a science lover but don’t feel like delving too deep yourself, this cutely messy magnet is a pleasant nod to the broader discipline for anyone with a sense of humor.

Price: $9.59+

Everyone learns about Einstein and Edison in school, but women scientists have contributed just as much to the advancement of society over the years. Celebrate these achievements with the help of this popular book that touches the lives of 50 women in science – something that can serve as inspiration and education for girls and boys alike.

Price: $49.95

Any avid reader will appreciate the challenge of finding the right lighting in a dark room. When lamps aren’t enough, this portable reading light provides a directional glow that’s strong enough to illuminate the page but not so strong as to disturb others in the room. It has three different brightness levels and the ability to switch between cool and warm light to reduce eye strain.

Price: $59.40

How many people can say they own a real piece of a meteor? This collector’s exhibit features a piece of the Nantan meteor, discovered in Guangxi, China, in 1958 — although it’s believed to have struck earth as early as the 15th century. A tribute to science and history, this fragment makes a unique gift for any space lover.

Price: $499.99

Getting started with coding by programming robots is one of the most exciting introductions to the field. These ClicBot Coding Robot Kits offer a modular design so new parts can be added as the owner’s coding skills and interests grow. Ideal for beginners, the 5G Starter Kit has a low barrier to entry, allowing users to play and gradually learn more about programming their own automation.

Price: $37.99+

Mixing your mugs with your Starbucks Latte could be a dangerous mishap, but drinking from this adorable 500ml mug designed to look like a chemical flask is perfectly safe – just keep the liquids away from experiments!

Price: $79.99

The earth is something incredible, this floating globe reminds us of that. Not only is it a working, accurate globe, but it remains suspended in the air thanks to its interaction with its magnetic base. And it can rotate too!

While the gold design with a faux book base adds incredible detail, there’s also a stylishly modern option at a lower price point with some LED lighting.

Price: $9.95

Socks aren’t always the most exciting gifts, but this brightly colored novelty pair will make any dad laugh and kick his feet to share the silly joke at the end. “Never trust an atom,” they say. “You make everything up.” Go ahead and call out the chorus of groans now.

Price: $44.99

There’s a reason galaxy projectors have become so popular – mimicking the aesthetic of the night sky in a home is an easy and affordable way to add visual interest to a space and help city dwellers remember what it feels like, to be outside. This particular model projects floating stars on the wall and ceiling and also has the option to use the app to cycle through lighting effects and adjust the brightness.

Price: $12.00

This one might be a bit low-cut, but Charles Darwin enthusiasts would be proud to display a copy of the man’s first known sketch — an evolutionary tree over which he wrote the words “I think.”

Price: $15.30+

Smartphones these days are all equipped with GPS and digital compasses, but holding a real compass in your hands is still something new – even if it’s just for fun. As a bonus, this brass compass can be engraved with a message for your loved one and includes an optional leather case.

Price: $16.00+

They say it can’t be captured, but here it is! This display contains Fulgurite, also known as “Petrified Lightning”. Really, these are tubes of sand from Morocco that have melted after being struck by lightning – but it sounds a lot more impressive to just call it lightning in a bottle anyway.

Price: $35.99

Stephen Hawking’s 1996 edition The Illustrated Brief History of Time is great for anyone with a healthy curiosity and thirst for knowledge about our universe and the research Hawking conducted during his lifetime. It also includes 240+ illustrations and satellite imagery to explain some of the more complicated concepts, and provides a great starting point for anyone preparing to delve into the world of physics.