Thanksgiving is next week, which means Black Friday and Cyber Monday are right around the corner. Students might be wondering about holiday gifts for chemistry professors, or you might be looking for the best chemistry gifts to get for a friend or family member who is a chemist. Maybe you just want to treat yourself!
Whatever the reason, our buying guide will help you find some great chemistry gift ideas.
Our Top Picks for the Best Chemistry Gift Ideas
With so many cool chemistry gifts to choose from, and so many people to shop for, we of course couldn’t decide on just one for our top pick. So, to make things easier on you, we’ve broken it down by recipient category. Read on for what we consider the best bet for students/professionals, adults, chemistry teacher, kids, and nerdy friends.
Best Gift for Chemistry Students or Professionals
The Genius Lab Pocket Chemist
We have selected as top pick the Genius Lab Pocket Chemist. This is a great gift overall for any chemistry student, teacher or professor. It not only looks great but it’s extremely useful.
The Pocket Chemist
It is a nice, affordable and really useful choice for anyone that’s into the world of chemistry.
Best Chemistry Gifts for: Adults
Molecular Cuisine Kit
Our top pick for the adult chemistry nerds in your life whom you don’t mind spending a bit of cash on is the Molecule-R Molecular Gastronomy value pack.
Molecular Cuisine Kit
It is, indeed, a great value for the four products that come in it. This is an especially fun chemistry gift idea for people who like to entertain, since it includes two different molecular mixology cocktail kits.
Best Chemistry Gifts for: Teachers and Professors
Chemistry Coffee Mug
Maybe it’s a cliché, but coffee mugs really do make excellent gifts for teachers. They’re practical, fairly inexpensive, and will definitely get used (teachers require a lot of caffeine—as me how I know).
Periodic Table Coffee Mug
This specific period table themed one is a very clever chemistry teacher gift that they are sure to love.
Best for: Kids
Thames & Kosmos C1000 Chemistry Set
This is a really cool chemistry gift for kids around 10 years old. We’ve rated it before as one of the best chemistry experiment kits in another post.
Thames & Kosmos Chem C1000
It’s a nice affordable option for your son or daughter, niece or nephew, or any child who has an interest in science.
If you want something for an older science enthusiast, go and check some of the best science kits for teens here.
Best Gifts for: Chemistry Nerd Friends
Chemistry Novelty Socks
Socks are the quintessential “boring” Christmas gift, but these cute geeky socks are anything but.
Chemistry-Themed Socks
The chemistry themed design is a great, affordable gift idea for just about anyone in your life who loves this subject.
Quick Comparison Table of Chemistry Gifts
Want to take a quick glance at all the gifts we are reviewing? Here you go!
Review of the Best Chemistry Gifts
If you’re still on the fence and what some more cool chemistry gift ideas, here are more detailed reviews about our top picks, plus reviews of 15 other chemistry gifts for teachers, friends, family, or anyone who enjoys this science.
Kitchen and Chemistry
1. Molecule-R Molecular Gastronomy Value Pack
This is a super cool chemistry gift and one that I’ve always been curious about myself.
I would rate this as the best chemistry gift idea for an adult whom you have a fairly close relationship with. There are two parts to this rationale.
First, it’s most suitable for adults because two of the four items in the pack involve cocktails. Yes, you can make a virgin or alcohol-free version of everything, but it still might not be appropriate to give to someone under legal drinking age.
And second, this gift is a great value considering everything it includes, but it is on the pricey side. That’s why I say it would make a good gift for close loved ones, like parents, significant others, close friends, adult children, etc.
The value pack includes:
- The book, Molecular Gastronomy by Molecule-R: An Introduction to the Science Behind 40 Spectacular Recipes
- Cuisine R-Evolution molecular gastronomy kit
- Cocktail R-Evolution molecular mixology kit
- Free gift, Mojito R-Evolution molecular mixology kit
Note that some recipes and techniques in these kits require a stick/immersion blender, so you may want to check that your intended recipient has one before you buy this for them.
2. Periodic Table Engraved Bamboo Wood Cutting Board from The Quintessential Hostess
The perfect accessory for any geeky kitchen. A high-quality bamboo cutting board, thin and lightweight yet very strong, laser engraved with the periodic table of the elements.
It’s a good-sized cutting board, 9×13 inches with handle, that is both practical and decorative. However, the seller recommends using only the back side for cutting to keep the front looking perfect for display.
3. Wink Chemist’s Spice Rack, 14 Piece
Cute way to display nine spices of your choice in test tubes, plus Erlenmeyer flasks for salt, pepper, sugar and oil, with stoppers for all flasks and test tubes. The cute metal display rack that is the perfect size and won’t take up too much counter space.
The spice rack comes with a sheet of periodic table inspired stickers to label your test tubes, so you can choose the nine spices you want to show off on your countertop. An attractive gift for chemistry nerds in your life who also love to cook.
4. Perks and Recreation Periodic Table Coffee Mug, 11 Ounces “I use this mug periodically”
If you’re looking for the best gifts for chemistry professors or teachers, you can’t go wrong with a science-themed coffee mug. This 11-ounce mug is white ceramic and printed with the periodic table of the elements in black, along with the text, “I use this mug periodically”.
Your chemistry teacher will be sure to display this gift proudly on their desk, or make themselves the envy of the teacher’s lounge with it. The mug is microwave safe and top-rack dishwasher safe, although the seller recommends hand washing.
5. ThinkGeek Radioactive Elements Glowing Coaster Set of 4
How’s this for a fancy and cool chemistry gift? Glowing chemistry coasters.
Obviously, the best elements for glowing drink coasters are radioactive. This set of four includes radium-226, plutonium-244, uranium-238 and thorium-232, all different colors, styled after the periodic table.
The coasters light up when you put a drink on them. Included are 8 3V CR2032 batteries, which will last up to 4.5 hours of constant use. Very fun and an awesome chemistry professor gift if you want to go off the beaten path and avoid giving them a punny mug. It’s also a good gift for chemistry nerds you may be friends with, especially if they like to have people over.
Educational Resources and Books
6. The Pocket Chemist by Genius Lab
Here’s an awesome tool that we recently tested. The Pocket Chemist is a combination of a stencil, a ruler and a handful of reference unit changes and constants. And the best part? It nicely fits in your wallet!
When I was a student, those cool stencil tools always caught my attention. But I never went ahead and bought one because I thought they were too big to be practical. This one fits perfectly in your wallet, looks quite resistant (it’s metallic and not easy to break), and works perfectly for drawing quickly those chair and boat conformations!
But there’s more to it than just a simple stencil.
You can use it to measure angles, it has rulers in both cm and inches, and a nice collection of constants that can be useful in case Google is not around! It also features a periodic table in the back, and you can even use the tool as phone stand.
Finally, it also comes with an especial surprise exclusive only for Pocket Chemist owners!
Overall, one of the best and most affordable gifts that you can get for chemistry students and professionals alike.
7. The Photographic Card Deck of the Elements: With Big Beautiful Photographs of All 118 Elements in the Periodic Table
These photo cards are a companion product to the bestselling book The Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe by Theodore Gray (number 7 on this list).
The cards are beautiful and informative enough to stand on their own, however, and are a great chemistry gift for teachers, students, or just about anyone.
8. Elements: A Visual Exploration of Every Known Atom in the Universe
This fascinating book by Theodore Gray has sold more than a million copies and takes the reader on an educational and beautiful journey through all 118 elements known to man.
The gorgeous photography makes this a great coffee table book or conversation piece, and one of the best chemistry gifts for adults and older children.
9. Ask a Science Teacher: 250 Answers to Questions You’ve Always Had About How Everyday Stuff Really Works
Real-life science teacher Larry Scheckel answers some of your most pressing science questions: “Why do we cry?” “Do fish sleep?”
A fun and informative read for curious minds of all age, written in simple English to make it accessible to everyone.
10. Chemistry for Everyone
Chemistry for Everyone is very useful book for anyone taking or about to take high school chemistry or introductory college chemistry.
It’s not a complete chemistry course in and of itself, but it does offer extra help for some of the topics that students have the most trouble with.
11. Dalton Labs Molecular Model kit
This Dalton Labs kit is a must-have for anyone taking organic chemistry, or for people are just interested in a hands-on learning experience, seeing how molecules look and feel in 3D.
It includes atoms that are color-coded to the universal standards, with most of the pieces being carbons, hydrogens, and bonds, which is typical for o-chem kits.
It makes a great chemistry gift idea for students because it is a very good value, containing 306 pieces for a very reasonable price, plus access to 3D molecular modelling software and a money-back guarantee.
If you want several molecular modeling kits reviewed, check out this other post.
Best Chemistry Gifts for Parents
12. Organic Chemistry for Babies
A super cute board book about the fundamentals of organic chemistry, for babies!
This would make a nice gift for chemistry nerds who are expecting or who have recently had a baby. Conceptually, the material might not be very age-appropriate until the child is at least 3 years old, but it never hurts to get an early start.
13. Quantum Physics for Babies
Another adorable board book from the Baby University series, this time on quantum physics.
Whether alone or as a set with Organic Chemistry for Babies, parents will love a gift that allows them to give their child a head start, whether they are self-described nerds or not.
14. The Cartoon Guide to Chemistry
If you know anyone who has ever struggled to learn chemistry because of how dry and dense the language is in a typical textbook, this could be a good gift idea for them.
The humorous, cartoony approach is a fun way to understand some of the tough concepts in chemistry. A nice option for parents, aunts or uncles to get as a gift for students in high school chem.
Chemistry Experiments
15. Thames & Kosmos C1000 Chemistry Set
This experiment kit is a great chemistry gift idea suitable for kids age 10+. Good number of excellent experiments, but a more basic set than the premium C3000 kit (number 15 on this list).
It contains 125 cool, kid-friendly experiments at a very affordable price. The Parents’ Choice Foundation has given this fun chemistry set their gold award, so we’d rate it one of the best chemistry gifts for kids.
16. Thames & Kosmos C3000 Chemistry Set
This is a very advanced chemistry kit, ages 12+, the perfect gift for serious science students. It’s the more premium option from Thames & Kosmos.
Compared to the C1000 model, this chemistry kit has more than twice as many experiments, with extremely high-quality equipment. It is just about the closest thing you’ll find to a professional chemistry set out there, but it also comes at a higher price point.
Clothing and Accessories
17. Never Trust an Atom, They Make Up Everything Unisex T-Shirt
A 100% cotton t-shirt from Ann Arbor T-Shirt Company, designed and made in the USA.
The shirt is black and printed with what is possibly the most classic of all chemistry puns: “Never trust an atom. They make up everything.” Soft, high thread count, available in a unisex and women’s fit and a fantastic price for such a high-quality piece of clothing.
18. Science Infinity Scarf
This pretty science-themed loop scarf would make a great chemistry teacher gift or a present for any woman in your life who loves science.
It’s made from a lightweight black chiffon material with a playful science motif in white and would be suitable for both winter and summer wear. Long enough to loop once or twice around the neck, depending on the look you want.
19. Foot Traffic Men’s Education-Themed Socks
Socks are a fun and discreet way to show off your passions and interests, and this pair is definitely one of the best gifts for chemistry nerds out there.
These high-quality socks from Foot Traffic are made for all day comfort. Keep in mind that this is the listing for men’s sizes 7-12; if you need something smaller, you can find the same design in women’s sizes, but they are gray instead of blue.
Fun and Games
20. Looney Labs Chemistry Fluxx Game
Fluxx is a collection of card games where the rules are constantly changing. This is not really a game that will teach you much about chemistry, except maybe familiarity with element names and chemical symbols.
But it is a wacky, silly game that adults can enjoy just as much as kids. If you or someone you know has played a Fluxx game before and you enjoy it, then Fluxx Chemistry would be a nice present.
No-no presents for chemists
21. Chemistry Thermos Flask
Finally, as a bonus: please do not get incorrect stuff as a gift for a chemist or chemistry professor. For example, this thermos has all wrong stuff drawn around:
Anyone who is knowledgeable about organic chemistry will cringe when they see a six-carbon ring with three adjacent double bonds. (That’s two sp hybridized carbons next to each other. Holy ring strain, Batman!)
If you are not a chemist, and want to be known if some chemistry-related gift is accurate, just ask away in the comments! (Or a chemist friend…)
Happy Shopping!
We’re sure there’s something on this list that the chemistry fan in your life will love.
Good luck with all your shopping, whether you take advantage of great deals on Cyber Monday, Black Friday, or go close on your best gifts for Christmas or Secret Santa parties. Happy holidays!
Leave a Reply