Ancient Science: 40 Time-Traveling, World Exploring, History-Making Activities for Kids

Subtitled "40 Time-Traveling, World-Exploring, History-Making Activities for Kids," this book contains an assortment of activities to take kids back in time, allowing them to recreate the discoveries of the past, or use what was "new technology" back then. The activities are arranged chronologically through time, with each activity given an introduction, list of (common) materials, a step-by-step procedure, and a fairly lengthy explanation. Additional ideas for extending your investigation through each period of history are also offered, as well as other timely, relevant facts for each activity. After reading about a Mesopotamian soap recipe, kids gather a few materials to see for themselves exactly how soap works. We've all heard of Archimedes' great discovery made in his bathtub, now kids can recreate and experiment with this concept - no bath necessary. And although readers may be surprised to know that the ancient Egyptians made and used glue, they can whip up some of their own to use. The equipment used is nothing fancy (chances are if the ancient Egyptians owned it, so do we!), and the simple procedures are easy enough for most kids to work through on their own (although adult help is noted in several activities). While the results of these experiments won't necessarily come as a surprise, participants are able to put themselves in the place of that time period or civilization, and imagine that what they're accomplishing was at one time regarded as a very sophisticated method! Please note that the book is from a secular publisher, most noticeable in the dating terminology used (B.C.E./C.E.) and in the first section of the book on early humans. However, we feel that the value of the book's activities overall outweighs these easy-to-omit features. - Jess