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Middle Grade Non-Fiction
The Wizard's Guide to Magical Experiments: 40 Science Experiments to Try at Home

The Wizard's Guide to Magical Experiments: 40 Science Experiments to Try at Home

4.8 (3)

5.0 (1)

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Author(s)

A. J. Wood

Co-Authors / Illustrators

Jo Rioux

Publisher

Harry N. Abrams

Genre(s)

Age Range

Release Date

September 16, 2025

ISBN

978-1419786754

Buy This Book

Welcome to the Touchwood Academy of Magical Thinking, where magical abilities are a must . . .

With this fun gift-ready package from the creator of the bestselling Ology books, A.J. Wood, kids will discover the thrill of the real-life magic of chemistry with hands-on experiments.

As a “First Class Wizard,” Wood guides wizards-in-training through dozens of magic tricks and spells that are actually wow-inducing age-appropriate science experiments.

Mini-booklets and fold-out activities on every page add to the excitement and discovery.

Experiments in this book: Make Water Bend · Move Water to Your Command · Make Your Own Magic Bugs Walk on Water · Rainbow Eggs · Magic Color Wheel · Make a Magical Ice Tower · Stop Water from Freezing · Send a Magic Message · Oil Fireworks · Liquid Layers · Air Is There · Make Money Talk · Watch Water Rise · Make Your Own Exothermic Energy · Make Endothermic Ice Cream · Make a Magic Lava Lamp · Make a Message in Crystal Ink · Make Your Own Stalactite · Make a Salt Crystal · Make a Sugar Crystal · Make a Color Changing Potion · Make Invisible Ink · Make an Eggshell Disappear · Make a Rubber Bone · Dancing Popcorn · Make Your Own Compounds · Flour Glue Cauldron · Pop a Balloon by Magic · Make a Reaction Rocket · Moon Batter · Reaction Bread · Magic Lemonade · Crystal Lollipop ... and more!

At the end of the book, children will earn a certificate that grants them the title of Novice Wizard.

Children will enjoy investigating

what is the world made of?
experiments with water
magical matter
magical mixtures
the importance of energy
experiments with air
experiments with salt
the magic of crystals
the acid test
experiments with vinegar
reactions and transformations
kitchen alchemy

Shall we begin?

Editor reviews

3 reviews

Overall rating

4.8

Writing Style

4.7(3)

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

4.7(3)

Learning Value

5.0(3)

Incredibly cool book about science!

December 03, 2025 (Updated: June 19, 2026)

Overall rating

5.0

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

Learning Value

5.0

THE WIZARD'S GUIDE TO MAGICAL EXPERIMENTS is an incredibly cool science experiment collection with a touch of magic. The book walks children through various scientific concepts as they give them experiments to try at home (that feel magical!).

What I loved: This is such a clever and cool way to get middle grade readers into science! The theme of wizardry and magic is present on every page with cool illustrations and fun, lift-the-flap details of wizard-like books. These elements add to the magical feeling of a cool science experiment! Science is magic, and this book conveys the cool elements of nature and the world around us with interactive elements to do at home.

The science experiments themselves are simple, using tools and items that most people will have around the house (or classroom). The instructions are clear and easy to follow with some illustrations to help show them along the way. The illustrations themselves both for and outside of the experiments are really fantastic with lots of details and colors that help engage readers throughout the book.

Final verdict: THE WIZARD'S GUIDE TO MAGICAL EXPERIMENTS is a thrilling and educational book that makes science cool and fun for middle grade readers! Highly recommend for at home or in the classroom.

Olivia Farr, Staff Reviewer Top 10 Reviewer 2398 reviews

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Bibbity Bobbity STEM!

November 30, 2025 (Updated: June 19, 2026)

Overall rating

4.3

Writing Style

4.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

4.0

Learning Value

5.0

While middle school students may no longer be obsessed with certain wizarding worlds, this book of "magical" science experiments will be a big hit with elementary school students whose parents probably still harbor fond feelings for them. This book offers a solid foundation of scientific fact, easy to do experiments, and an aura of magic, all from the creator of the Ology books (notice the glittery gem at the top of the cover?), which also have a strong nostalgic pull for readers of a certain age.

The two page spreads are well designed, and each one centers on a scientific topic; there is information about status electricity, water, states of matter, mixtures, air, fire, salt, crystals, acids, compounds, and my favorite, kitchen alchemy. Some of the experiments don't take very long (moving paper "ladybugs" with static electricity or making secret messages with wax on paper), but others take some preparation and patience, like making stalactites. There are warnings when parental involvement should be sought, although this book is probably best experienced with an adult presence to help procure needed equipment and supplies, and to help interpret the accompanying science information.

Good Points

Jo Rioux's illustrations (also seen on the covers of Judith Eagle's mysteries in the US market) give the pages a cozy, magical feeling, rather like I would expect a non creepy grimoire to look. While the experiments aren't really magical at all, there is a lot of reliance on wands, capes, and hats to give the instructions a magical quality. The addition of envelopes, flaps, and even a certificate of completion at the back gives this an even better interactive feel.

The most impressive part for me was the casual introduction of hard core science. There is a flap with the PH scale, and another with the complete table of elements. There's even a nice recipe for color changing ink made from boiled cabbage, and a whole brochure of Halloween experiments.

This book would be the perfect gift from an involved aunt or uncle who has time and space to devote to some of the more elaborate experiments, like dissolving egg shells in vinegar or making a lava lamp out of grains of salt, oil, and water. Including a lab apron and some goggles with this book wouldn't be a bad idea!

It's always good to get children involved in STEM activities, and the best way to do this is to tap into interests they already have. Depending on what interests your own budding Marie Curie, Smits' The Kids Book of Paper Love, Brunelle's Turn This Book Into a Bird Feeder, Connolly's The Book of Wildly Spectacular Sports Science: 54 All-Star Experiments or Roehrig's Rainbow Science would be good choices. If you have a child patiently waiting for their Hogwarts owl to arrive, The Wizard's Guide to Magical Experiments is the perfect choice.

Karen Yingling, Staff Reviewer #1 Reviewer 2477 reviews

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Magical Tome of Beginner Experiments

October 27, 2025 (Updated: June 19, 2026)

Overall rating

5.0

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

Learning Value

5.0

An enchanting blend of whimsy and science, this book presents forty experiment-based lessons on various topics, from the periodic table to what makes things burn to the formation of crystals. Each page spread features full color illustrations of kid wizards exploring the world, with lots of science facts and a fold-out panel detailing the related experiment.

Some experiments are a quick two minutes, while others are noted to take a half hour. Most require common household materials like cardboard or candles, but one or two may require special preparation to acquire, for example, a pumpkin. (There's also a special advisory on experiments which may require parental supervision).

Beginner wizards/scientists are sure to come away with an arsenal of little activities that relate to how the world works, and the embossed cover and quality interior pages make this an excellent gift or addition to the home library.

Rachel Feeck, Staff Reviewer Top 50 Reviewer 253 reviews

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User reviews

1 review

Overall rating

5.0

Writing Style

5.0(1)

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0(1)

Learning Value

5.0(1)

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Pure Enchantment

March 09, 2026 (Updated: June 19, 2026)

Overall rating

5.0

Writing Style

5.0

Illustrations/Photos (if applicable)

5.0

Learning Value

5.0

This book is pure magic from the second you lay eyes on it! Honestly, the cover design is extraordinary and I love to just having it sit on my shelf and remind me to make science a part of my life everyday.

But once you actually crack it open? That’s where the real enchantment begins. The way it’s written is just marvelous. It transforms "standard" science into these incredible magical creations that feel like you're studying at a wizarding academy.

I’ve been having the best time diving into these "magic recipes" of science. It’s such a breath of fresh air to realize that learning can be this much fun. Between the vivid descriptions and the hands-on projects, Plus, it doesn't feel like learning but enjoying the fun of magic with science in my own kitchen. If you want to fall in love with science or just want a gorgeous book to show off, this is a total must-have!

Good Points

The Cover and Designs are Beyond Extraordinary: it’s so mystical and stunning that it's worth owning just to have that magical vibe sitting on your shelf!

A Wonderful Way to Learn About Science: It’s honestly marvelous how these "magic recipes" turn learning into such a blast! Who knew you could master so much science just by diving into these projects and seeing the magic happen?