For a part time science teacher and food blogger, there is probably not a better book to get me through the summer holidays than The Kitchen Science Cookbook by Dr Michelle Dickenson.



All three of my boys were excited when our review copy dropped through the door as it contains two of their favourite things: food and science. Even the contents page grabbed their attention with little logos to explain what the experiments were about.


As a science teacher, there most of the experiments I have done before, however, not with my own kids! It is silly really as I would use "can crusher" in a class about pressure but would not have actually thought about doing it at home.

The book is large and has great photographs of the experiments along with instructions and a scientific explanation. My boys seem to like the ribbon bookmark so that they can show me exactly what they want to do next!

So far we have carried out two experiments. Growing candy crystals and making ice cream in a bag. We also have a long list of other experiments to try during the summer.

Instant Ice Cream

You will need

A small and large zip lock bag
120ml cream
12.5g sugar
vanilla flavouring - we used grated vanilla
3-7 cups of ice
75g salt

Little man loved weighing out all the ingredients to make the ice cream. The cream, sugar and vanilla is put in the small freezer bag. The ice and salt in the large.


You then put the small bag in the large bag, seal and shake for 5 minutes. I was actually shocked at how well it worked. Whilst it may not have looked particularly pretty, it tasted book. We were able to discuss the reason for adding the salt to the ice and the boys are now keen to experiment more.


The book gives you the theory on how the cream is an emulsion and how to make ice cream you need small crystals to make it taste best. There are also extension activities that you could explore further.

If you have a keen little scientist in the house then I am sure they would like this book. Whilst we have had to order in a few specific things for certain experiments, there are plenty that can be carried out with items you already have around the house.

We are big fans of the book here and I can see us carrying out many of the experiments over the next few weeks. If your children like science too then the book can be purchased from WHSmiths.

Have you got any other recommendations for books to keep the children busy over the summer?