How to Fossilise Your Hamster: And Other Amazing Experiments For The Armchair Scientist

I bought this for my 11yr old son - He loves it.
He couldn't wait to get experimenting.
I don't think he's realised it's educational.......yet!
(although he did want to start on the alcohol experiments first)

I bought this, along with two other books as stocking stuffers but really they're great for anytime of the year. One of the others was DRESS YOUR FAMILY IN CORDUROY by David Sedaris, and the other was DON'T STOP ME NOW. You can't go wrong with any of these. Now, as far as HOW TO FOSSILISE YOUR HAMSTER, if not only on the practical side, it's funny as heck. Even if you don't want to do this stuff, it's great reading. Kids and adults alike. BUY IT NOW!

How to Fossilise Your Hamster is a really good fun book that would make an ideal Christmas present. I just picked up a copy for my niece and had a read through and found it really entertaining. I also really like the complete randomness of many of the experiments. This is full of really unique ideas that come right out of left field. Although not all of them appealled to me, there's something here for everyone, and it's all good fun. Which I think is the point.

There are wonderful ideas in this book to stimulate all of us. Curiosity keeps us going, though we need some practical abilities.
Thanks to Lucy's review, I looked at Peter Cave's CAN A ROBOT BE HUMAN? collection of philosophy puzzles. Lucy is right. That also should make anyone think and more deeply - and be amused - for like Hamster it covers a whole range of fascinating topics...but with the Robot book you don't have to risk getting wet, you can lie in bed or sit in the armchair, with a drink, and be a philosopher...thinking some unthinkables. Hamster and Robot excellent combination.

Great experiments but if you want to really get the old- and young- grey cells working then I suggest pairing it with "Can a Robot be Human - 33 Perplexing Philosophy Puzzles" by Peter Cave. The two together should see most families through the Christmas boredom!