November 2007 New Toys — Science & Nature

CHEM C500 by THAMES & KOSMOS

The kit is based on the CHEM C101 kit, but is now even easier and safer to use. This new and improved version takes children on an introductory tour through seven central areas in chemistry with more than 30 classic experiments. The kit comes with a 32-page, full-color manual that is replete with pictures and diagrams. “CHEM C500 is ideal for children who are interested in chemistry but who are not yet ready for a more advanced chemistry set,” Christa Raimondo Cronin, customer service representative at Thames & Kosmos, told TDmonthly. “Experiments are fun and engaging and emphasize the ‘magic’ behind chemical reactions.”  This product is a Fall 2007 Parent's Choice Award winner. Launch date: July 2007. 9/4/2007 (Price: $31.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

AquaBubble Pen by SAFARI LTD.®

Simply holding the pen will cause the liquid inside to bubble from chamber to chamber. This fun visual is a result of the chemical reaction between the liquid inside the pen and the heat from one’s fingertips. This pen educates kids about chemistry and makes study time fun. 9/4/2007 (Price: $6.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Human Skeleton Playing Cards by Les Entreprises SynHeme inc.

Every bone of the human body on 52 cards! Each card illustrates one or two bones using vivid color for easy recognition.  Each bone is presented in its context with its name in English, in French and in Spanish.  Two cards illustrate the bone structure and the Jokers serves as index. 8/31/2007 (Price: $7.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Zen Mediation Pot by MAGIC BEAN WISHES

Viewing stones blended with the traditional zen garden to come up with the Zen Pot. In a locally crafted pottery bowl, ten beans of tranquility are found among sleek Black Nightfall Beans. You can use this beautiful item in many ways.  As a viewed piece, simply place the tranquility beans in a pleasing configuration amidst the smaller beans. To soothe the soul, run your fingers through the pot, or find a pleasing tranquility bean and rub its surface as you would a worry stone. 8/31/2007 (Price: $39.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Starwatcher 300 Power Refractor Telescope #AE10100 by BARSKA

The refractor telescope is easy to operate and requires minimal assembly. The set includes a Pan Head mount, a tabletop tripod, a 5x24 finderscope, a 3x Barlow lens, two eyepieces and a protective carrying case. Launch date: October 2007. 8/24/2007 (Price: $127.40) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Starwatcher 450 Power Refractor Telescope #AE10748 by BARSKA

The easy to assemble and easy to operate refractor telescope can be used by children as young as eight years old.  The telescope comes with a Pan Head mount, an aluminum tripod, a 5x24 finderscope, 3x Barlow lens, two eyepieces and Deepsky Astronomy Software. Launch date: October 2007. 8/24/2007 (Price: $91.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

H-racer and Hydrogen Station by HORIZON FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGIES PTE. LTD.

The miniature hydrogen fuel cell car fits in the palm of a hand. The battery-less car operates on a fuel cell that is powered by its own on-board hydrogen storage system, ensuring it an unlimited supply of clean energy. Simply adding water to the station’s tank will create hydrogen fuel at the flick of a switch. 8/24/2007 (Price: $115.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Renewable Energy Education Set by HORIZON FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGIES PTE. LTD.

This scaled down version of a clean energy experiment demonstrates the inner workings of a renewable energy system. Its modular quality allows users to learn the system step by step, customize the way the system works, and visually observe the system from start to finish. 8/24/2007 (Price: $260.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Solar Hydrogen Generation Set by HORIZON FUEL CELL TECHNOLOGIES PTE. LTD.

The set includes a solar cell, a PEM reversible fuel cell, a motor and oxygen and hydrogen gas containers. This easy-to-use kit requires only water to create hydrogen and generate electricity, making it perfect for science labs, classrooms, homes and demonstrations. 8/24/2007 (Price: $67.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Vintage Ant Farm by UNCLE MILTON INDUSTRIES INC.

In celebration of its 50th Anniversary, the Gold Ant Farm comes in its original die-cut display box with authentic 1956 graphic treatment. The back of the box contains a special message written by Milton Levine, creator of the Ant Farm. The set features a habitat with four connecting antports, clean tunneling sand, clear and flexible antway connecting tubes, an illustrated ant watcher's manual and a stock certificate to order ants through the mail.
— David Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., told TDmonthly that ant farms from Uncle Milton are among the best-selling science and nature toys in his store.
— Campbell said in summer 2007 that he sells about "half-a-dozenish" of the ant farms a month.
— "This special Gold Ant Farm includes a commemorative 50th Anniversary logo and the true story about the origin of the original Ant Farm. It is perfect for collectors and new Ant Farm fans alike," said Andrew Sroufe, who handles media relations for Uncle Milton Industries. 8/23/2007 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pocket Volcano by TOYSMITH

Kids simply add baking soda to this mini volcano and place it inside a glass filled with water. They will be amazed by the bubbly reaction, which is similar to an underwater volcanic eruption.
— When asked about best selling novelty toys in a September 2011 survey, Mary Porter Green, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly that Pocket Volcanoes from Toysmith were one of her top-two novelty items.
— Two of 32 specialty retailers mentioned Toysmith in summer 2007 when discussing their best-selling science and nature toys.
— This product is “safe, fun [and] educational,” Debra Ashley of Toysmith told TDmonthly. It “entertains while educating.” 8/23/2007 (Price: $4.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Buzzerks by INSECT LORE

Buzzerks give kids a bug's eye view of the world, and give everyone else a buggy view of them, too. The specially designed inner compound "bug-eye lenses" can be flipped forward so that a kid can see how a real bug sees. Each Buzzerk features realistic insect features: antennae, spines, leggy earpieces and mandibles. The hinged prismatic lenses let kids experience true insect sight by seeing bright and eye-popping metallic colors through compound eyes. Buzzerks come in FireAnt, Mantis and Hornet versions.
— When asked about best-selling science toys in her store, Frances Finfrock, owner of Aunt Franny's Toys in Richland, Wash., replied, "I think it's the Buzzerks. They're bug goggles. They're made by Insect Lore."
— Finfrock said she sells about three Buzzerks goggles a month.
— Five of 32 retailers told TDmonthly in summer 2007 that the Insect Lore brand is a best seller in their stores. 8/23/2007 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Physics Pro by THAMES & KOSMOS

With this advanced physics kit, kids can study more advanced topics in physics, including fluid dynamics, energy, oscillation, hydraulics and pneumatics. They will build spectacular models and devices, such as a wind tunnel, pneumatic shocks and a hydraulic lift. They will learn how ships float and airplanes fly, why a streamlined shape lets a car drive faster and how power plants convert a current of water into electrical current. A 96-page full-color manual is included.  “All learning is done through hands-on construction,” Thames & Kosmos Customer Relations Manager Christa Raimondo told TDmonthly. This product is a Fall 2007 Parent's Choice Award winner. Launch date: July 2007. 8/15/2007 (Price: $99.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Grow Your Own Lily Pad by DUNECRAFT INC.

The amazing lily pad features the largest flower of any plant in North America. The lily pad can grow as large as 2’ wide in ponds as deep as 4’. Simply drop the seeds into a bowl of water and the plant will grow within two weeks. The lily pad’s aromatic, light yellow flowers will sprout soon after. Launch date: October 2007. 8/15/2007 (Price: $7.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Sea-Monkeys Sea-Bubble by EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS INC.

The Amazing Sea-Bubble is a return to the version everyone remembers from decades past, but it's vastly improved. The complete set includes Zoo-Quarium 10 oz. tank, Aero-Vent lid, and pouches that include purifier, eggs, and growth food. It also features universal clasp, aqua-leash, calibrated feeding spoon, user guide and insurance policy. It's all mounted on a footed blister card with convenient butterfly hook. Instructions are provided on the back of the blister card.
— We've been selling a lot of sea monkeys lately," said David Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont. when asked about the science and nature section of his store. 8/7/2007 (Price: $11) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

GeoSafari AntZone by EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS INC.

After easy assembly, students can watch the amazing world of ants in this rounded and escape-proof habitat. AntZone's snap-on lid with a built-in magnifier allows close-up views. In addition, students can conduct a variety of experiments described in the activity guide provided. Also included is a full-color 17" x 22" "All About Ants" classroom poster, dual magnifier, tweezers, water dropper, unique Sugarcement sand, tunnel starting tool, water dish, and certificate to obtain ants by mail.
— David Campbell, owner of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, MT, told TDmonthly that the "rounder" ant farms from Educational Insights were among the most popular science and nature toys with his customers. 8/7/2007 (Price: $21.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Magnifying Bug Viewer by TOYSMITH

The Magnifying Bug Viewer has a 3.5" magnifying lie and features air holes to allow the insect to breath. Kids can watch a little creature for a while, then let him go. It's simple, educational, and fun.
— "I would say that our best-selling in science and nature are those little plastic magnifying cups with the magnifier on the top. We definitely go for volume on those items. I get mine from Toysmith," said Dalene Lockhart, owner of Toy Town in Casper, WY. 8/7/2007 (Price: $2.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pop-Up Port-A-Bug by INSECT LORE

Kids can pop up their Port-A-Bug, put in some friendly insects, and they're ready for some fun with bugs. They can observe butterflies, ladybugs, and other friendly critters in the airy mesh habitat, then let them go. The Port-A-Bug compresses back into its tote-sack, clips to a kid's hip, and they're off and ready to explore some more. It features a lightweight and escape-proof ventilated mesh, and a convenient nylon carrying handle. The Port-A-Bug is a winner of the Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Gold Award.
— "We sell a lot of bug catching items from Insect Lore. It's collapsible. It's called Port-A-Bug," said Shirley Reilly, owner of Let's Play in Hillsboro, Ore. 8/7/2007 (Price: $8.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

EyeClops Bionic Eye by JAKKS PACIFIC INC.

These microscopes not only plug right into the TV, but also look like cool disembodied eyes. Simply plug in the composite video input and the kid-friendly microscope will magnify everything at 200x and display it on the television screen. According to Jakks Pacific Inc. Director of Corporate Communications Anne-Marie Feliciano, the device will allow kids to “share their discoveries with their friends, family and classroom. This product is a winner of numerous awards, including an Oppenheim Toy Portfolio Platinum Award, a Parents Magazine Best Toy Award, a Parenting Magazine Mom-Tested Toy of the Year Award and more. 8/2/2007 (Price: $50.00)