February 9, 2010 5:56:21 AM
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February 9, 2010 5:56:21 AM
TOYDIRECTORY® | TDmonthly® Magazine | Join
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New & Notable Toys: Science & NatureCheck out these new and noteworthy toys. Glitterins Magical Optical Science Toy Deluxe by GLITTERINS African Dwarf Frog by WILD CREATIONS SmartLab Fiber Optics Lab by SMARTLAB TOYS Dinoworks Fossil Kit by SKULLDUGGERY Space Age Crystal Growing Kit: Rose Quartz Cluster by KRISTAL EDUCATIONAL INC. Magnificent Manicure Kit by SCIENTIFIC EXPLORER The Particle Zoo Subatomic Particle Plushies by THE PARTICLE ZOO The Magic School Bus Series – Going Green by THE YOUNG SCIENTISTS CLUB Zoomorphs Jumpermorphs by RIVER DOLPHIN TOYS The Drinking Bird by BRI-GUY PRODUCTS Ant Farm® Live Ant Habitat by UNCLE MILTON INDUSTRIES INC. Samurai Scorpion by OWI INC. Spanish Planisphere for 40° North by ROB WALRECHT PLANISPHERES The Original Gyro-Ring by FASCINATIONS Discovery Box by D & D DISTRIBUTING Make Your Own Snowman World by DUNECRAFT INC. Wild Science™ Ant Mine by INTERNATIONAL PLAYTHINGS LLC Solar Motor by THE SOLAR POWERED SHOP LLC Giant Evolution Timeline Play Mat by CHARLIE'S PLAYHOUSE LLC FirstScope Telescope by CELESTRON INTERNATIONAL The Dangerous Book for Boys: Electronics by THAMES & KOSMOS Animal Quest Game by TEDCO INC. What's Inside Animals by ROYLCO INC BigEye by CARSON OPTICAL Snap Circuits GREEN Alternative Energy Kit by ELENCO Grow more sunflower sprouts: Soil and Seeds Refill Kit by A JACK SPROUT INC. A Pirate's Quest by CARL R. SAMS II PHOTOGRAPHY INC. (STRANGER IN THE WOODS) Rocks and Minerals Quizmo by WORLD CLASS LEARNING MATERIALS INC. Fingerprint Kit by ALEX-PANLINE USA INC. Climate Cubes by POOF-SLINKY INC. Catalog Request Form Read what more than 400 retailers have told TDmonthly about toys since 2005 in Toy-Store Owners Talk to TDmonthly. 
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Ever wondered if the light in the fridge stays on when you close the door? Fiber optics can light the way. It may sound like some supercomplicated electronic technology, but the basics are quite simple. Author Jim Becker helps kids understand what’s going on as they use the power of light to build 10 high-tech electronic projects, including a burglar alarm, an electronic rooster, and a flexible flashlight. The kit includes two preassembled workbenches (transmitter and receiver), three optical fiber rods and a connector, 26 hookup wires, two LED couplers, 12 activity cards , and a 12-panel fully illustrated booklet. "The retail feedback we have received tells us that there is not a similar product on the market," Darcy Morris, Director of Sales & Marketing, SmartLab Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 30, 2010. 12/28/2009 (Price: $19.99; Age: 10 to 14) 
This kit includes chemicals needed to grow a Rose Quartz crystal cluster of up to 4" in diameter. It comes with the Space Age Crystal Growing chemical, a stirring rod, a display pedestal and instructions. Within just a few hours of transferring the chemical to hot water, pouring the mixture into the vessel and letting it cool, crystals will begin to form and then continue growing for many days. 12/2/2009 (Price: $9.95; Age: 12 and up) 
Designed to teach girls about cosmetic chemistry, this kit includes ingredients to make custom scents and indulge in a crystal mud treatment and a sea salt scrub. Girls can also buff and shine their nails for a finished look.
The Particle Zoo is a collection of more than 36 plush versions of subatomic particles from the worlds of physics and astronomy. Often compared to Giant Microbes, these handmade soft toys represent the familiar neutron and proton as well as lesser-known particles like the charm quark and muon. A favorite of physics students can make unique birthday and graduation gifts, especially for physics students. The particles are handmade in the USA. "There are no other companies making plush subatomic particles, so they are a unique concept. Because they are weighted according to their relative masses, they can serve as a teaching aid or novelty gift," Julie Peasley, owner and seamstress for The Particle Zoo, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2008. 10/29/2009 (Price: $10.00; Age: 5 and up) 
This colorful set includes 30 pieces that join with snap to create at least four different animals (glass frog, kangaroo, spinosaur and appaloosa) as well as endless combinations of fantasy creatures designed with various parts.
This classic novelty toy, the thermodynamic Drinking Bird, is available either with red or blue liquid. Once the bird begins drinking, he doesn’t ever stop. 
This is one of two Spanish planispheres the company offers. It contains about 700 stars and more than 300 objects for binoculars: nebulae, open en globular clusters, galaxies, double stars, variable stars and more. "Our program includes planispheres in 11 languages (five of them only available through our customers), and English planispheres for 10 different latitude ranges, together covering the entire populated world," Rob Walrecht, director of Rob Walrecht Productions, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2003. 7/19/2009 (Price: $14; Age: 12 and up) 
The Gyro-discs spin up to 1000 rpm. Just hold the 11" metal ring and strike the smaller, colored discs.
This hands-on, interactive science collection is full of fossils, minerals, marine life and insects that children can touch and examine. The wooden box includes more than 30 items, such as trilobites fossils, pyrite, geode, sand dollar, starfish, murex shells and an insect in lucite. Also included is a hand lens and activity guide. "It stimulates a child's sense of curiosity and encourages kids to make discoveries in the back yard, at the beach or on a hike. The Discovery Box becomes an heirloom that children will share with their own children and grandchildren in the future. The activity guide provides parents with great activities to do with their kids," John Skowlund, president of World Discovery Box, told TDmonthly. This product received a 2009 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toy award and was named a Homeschool.com Best Educational Gift 2008. Launch date: November 2008. 6/29/2009 (Price: $129.00; Age: 4 to 15) 
Kids can make three free-standing snowmen with this kit, which includes four types of polymers, a tray, whimsical instructions and information, and more. "This kit contains everything needed to make multitudes of snow-related items, and is completely made in the United States," Alicia Borley, PR manager for DuneCraft, told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2009. 6/29/2009 (Price: $9.99; Age: 3 and up) 
Using the included molds and plaster of Paris, kids create their own reproduction of a complex leafcutter ant colony and rivet the special window to the casting for observation. Children can watch their ants as they organize the many intricate tunnels and chambers for different purposes, and take food and water around the colony. Launch date: June 2009. 6/29/2009 (Price: $19.99; Age: 6 and up) 
This quality Dobsonian style telescope features a 76 mm aperture reflector optical tube. FirstScope is an ideal entry level astronomical telescope, as it is designed for easy observation. The user simply navigates the night sky by moving the tube in the direction of their desired object. The compact design makes it easily portable, and the FirstScope is also stylish enough to be a decorative fixture on a bookshelf or desk. The FirstScope is the Official Product Of the 2009 International Year of Astronomy. The FirstScope pays tribute to Galileo Galilei and many of history’s most notable astronomers and scientists by displaying their names around the optical tube. Launch date: April 2009. 4/28/2009 (Price: $49.99; Age: All Ages) 
This fascinating science toy gives kids a look into the inner workings of their favorite animals. Children can explore animals from the inside out with X-ray-like effect, using a light table or a flashlight to reveal the skeleton underneath the animal’s skin. The box comes with 16 scratchproof photographic cards to compare and study the anatomy of animals. An extensive guide is included with useful information about the classification of animals, and more. 2/23/2009 
With its over sized 5" lens, the green-handled BigEye magnifying glass zooms kids in on the world at 2.5x magnification. Manufacturers of professional optical equipment, Carson makes their light-weight acrylic lenses durable enough kids' outdoor adventures but still with clear, consistent surfaces to yield a crisp view of the observed world rather than blurry or distorted images. 2/17/2009 (Price: $12.00; Age: 3 and up) 
"A Pirate's Quest" is the story of a one-legged pirate who loses his family heirloom peg leg. The pirate's journey begins by a tiny lake where his peg leg had drifted away during the night. He vows to find his leg by following the moving water from the lakes to the rivers to the ocean. And he never gives up. The story is beautifully illustrated with paintings by award-winning wildlife artist and host of the PBS television show "Your Brush with Nature," Heiner Hertling. Launch date: September 2008. 12/19/2008 (Price: $19.95; Age: 3 to 11) 
Two to 36 players match color photographs of rocks, minerals and gemstones with relating trivia facts or physical/chemical properties. With two levels of play, students will unearth three rock types and dust off some interesting trivia. The game involves practice with 70 different rocks, minerals and gemstones and includes color game boards, calling cards, plastic markers and an instructional guide. It teaches the physical characteristics of rocks and minerals, the rock cycle, and the characteristics, uses and names of rocks, minerals and gemstones. "All our games offer multiple levels of play and are aligned with national standards. They are made with the needs of every learner in mind," Alyssa Brown, product development manager for World Class Learning Materials, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009. 12/12/2008 (Price: $14.99; Age: 10 to 13) 
This undercover fingerprint kit comes with file cards, an ink pad, a fingerprint speciman card, fingerprint lifting tape and powder, a magnifying glass and a paint brush so that little kids can record and identify fingerprints.
