March 2014 New Specialty Toys — Science & Nature

This budget successor to Orbotix’s popular smartphone-controlled ball is fast, handles well and can stop on a dime. The iOS and Android controlled Sphero 2B was first shown off at the Consumer Electronics Show last month. It’s in the prototype stages, but it still works like a charm.

Includes the DIWire, DIWire software, 1/8 inch and 1/16 inch bend heads and feed wheels. Shipping and sales tax paid separately. Currently, the DIWire will only ship to the United States, Canada, the EU and Australia. All shipments to New York state addresses are subject to an additional 8.875% sales tax. Shipping is estimated $65 - $160 (and up to $400 for international) depending on your location. Charges will not be applied until your unit ships. We will be contacting you at least one week prior to shipping.

Use this DNA model to build one (1) biologically accurate DNA model. Rediscover DNA with this larger-than-life model! It's easy — just attach the nucleotide bases to the backbone, pair the DNA strands, then twist them to form the familiar double helix. Just like a puzzle — and just as in nature — this DNA model fits together only one way: adenine (A) pairs with thymine (T) and guanine (G) pairs with cytosine (C) on the sugar phosphate backbones. Use this biologically accurate foam DNA model, over 2 feet tall, in a number of fun and educational ways: Show the right-handed double helical structure of DNA; Incorporate STEM concepts through the use of modeling; Illustrate the base-pair relationship between purines and pyrimidines; Engage your students with this friendly, interactive model. The DNA model includes everything you need to build one (1) biologically accurate DNA model, an instruction sheet, and 10 fun facts about DNA.

Skullduggery’s new SMITHSONIAN CRAFT KITS combine learning, discovery and education all in one exciting journey. Each kit is loaded with activities such as 3D mold making, coloring and a BONUS educational activity book packed with facts and fun. Your child will have a hands on learning adventure they can share with everyone!

The Geek & Co. Science kits make science fun and affordable! With Crystal Nightlight, grow a big, beautiful crystal from alum powder, then wire up a color-changing LED circuit. Put them together to create your own nightlight that glows in a spectrum of colors! 

Explore electrochemistry by constructing a working clock powered by a slimy goop.

This new construction toy functions off of 8 sided geometry. Pieces connect at 90 and 45 degree angles, and can be combined with a 6 sided part that can connect at 33 degree angles. Hinges, axels, and other components help kids create moving structures.

For all the paleontologists in training or for those just fascinated by prehistoric life, we bring you Dino Dig! WABA Fun is always looking for additional ways to make learning fun and what better way than to combine Kinetic Sand with ancient beasts! Bury your Tyrannosaurus Rex or Triceratops bones in the sand and use the provided tools to excavate right in your living room! Become the next Dr. Alan Gran and start your own Jurassic Park! (Dino DNA not included). Each Kit contains 1 kg of award-winning Kinetic San, one 3D Dino puzzle skeleton and tools for excavating. The box has fun facts about your dinosaur and serves as a containment site as well!

OWI’s geek squad, who brought to you the beloved T3 Transforming Solar Robot, has dusted off their labs coats and goggles to concoct their latest triumph…T4 Transforming Solar Robot. "T4" not only has more transformations but also comes equipped with larger parts, meaning that your younger child does not have to be excluded from partaking in some high quality robot fun. “T4” is completely solar-powered so you never need to buy batteries. Not only will "T4" provide your child with a new understanding of solar power as a source of renewable energy, but will also get your kids outdoors for some wholesome fun in the sun. This kit gives your child the option to easily transform between one of four different modes: Robot – walking legs as well as moving wheels, Insecta – 6 walking legs as well as moving jaws, T-Rex -2 walking legs and moving jaws, and Drill Vehicle – similar to a miner’s driller/drilling bit and moving wheels. If your children are glued to smart-phones, give them an opportunity to acquire solar power knowledge, learn about mechanical transmissions, and get them outside to play. Amazingly, you might find yourself engaged in conversation with your child, thanks to their newly acquired “expertise”!

Contains over 40 parts. 165 experiments can be completed using the kit, like a spinning lighted fan, a small RC car that moves forward and backward, and more. It stimulates the mind and teaches kids about electrical engineering, gears and rations in a fun and educational way.
Awards: 2014 TDmonthly Top Toy Debut Award

Think twice before discarding that 1985 CD-ROM, don’t throw away that aluminum can, and pick up that plastic bottle left under the couch. We can use them with our state-of-the-art, eco-friendly educational toy kit that will stretch your child’s imagination while allowing them to take part in the joy of recycling. The Super Solar Recycler Kit is powered completely by natural light so you never have to worry about batteries! In addition to your newly discovered treasures, all you need to get started is included in this kit (solar panel, motor and instruction). Your children can recycle a can of their favorite soft drink to create Street Roller and Walking Robot, create Bottle Yacht, Drummer Robot and Flying Bird using a plastic water bottle, and even turn your old scratched CD’s into the super cool CD Racer.
— Mark Rosenblum from Hobbytown in Fairfield, Conn., told TDmonthly in a January 2015 survey that OWI was their best-selling brand of STEM toys.

Invade Earth, check out life, and set it free. But if bugs aren’t your thing, don’t worry, these snapping jaws still equal pure fun all day long! Swoop in on action figures, collect & inspect tiny treasures, grab your sister’s feet, or just bite up everything in sight! With sparkling looks and beaming personality, BugAlien – The Best Bug Catcher Ever – captivates every age, every time! 100% Made in the USA: Right down to the packaging and spring. EVERYTHING is made in the USA.  See the companies in the right hand column.

Take a big bite with the Wild Safari® Monolophosaurus, an ancient meat-eating dinosaur from Safari Ltd® This new for 2014 hand-painted figure measures 7.5” long ( 19.25 cm) and is appropriate for ages 3 and up. All Safari Ltd® products are 100% guaranteed and are lead free to ensure children’s safety. Visit safariltd.com to view and purchase Safari Ltd® toys and explore educational information in five languages.

Get ready to totally geek out on awesome science projects! Geek & Co. Science is a new series of 12 science-themed project kits that put fun first to make learning truly approachable and entertaining. With each kit, kids build a tangible, lasting item — an object worthy of keeping on display after the fun and educational process of creating it is over. Launch date: June 2014.
— In a May 2015 survey, two out of 11 retailers told TDmonthly that Geek & Co was their best-selling line of activity kits.

Whether you’re growing beautiful crystals, digging for dinosaurs, or hunting for fingerprints, this new line of $10 kits make science fun, fast, and affordable. Choose from 12 awesome topics or better yet - try them all!

Experience the unexpected with three easy molecular recipes that bring cutting-edge mixology into your home bar. Deconstruct your mojito into floating mint caviar and spectacular foams or encapsulate your favorite cocktail into a sphere that will explode in your mouth. Includes 10 pre-measured food additive sachets, specialized utensils and Recipe & Instructions booklet.

Play with the texture of your favorite cocktail to add an element of surprise, and experience the unexpected with three avant-garde recipes. Create a margarita slush topped with a fresh lemon mousse, add a splash of colour by creating blue azure suspended pearls or encapsulate your margarita into an edible cocktail! Includes 10 pre-measured food additive sachets, specialized utensils and Recipe & Instructions booklet.

Impress your friends with three recipes that push the boundaries of modern mixology. Serve a cosmopolitan bubble on a spoon that will pop in your mouth, top off your cocktail with a light fluffy cranberry foam or suspend citrus caviar in your drink. Includes 10 pre-measured food additive sachets, specialized utensils and Recipe & Instructions booklet.

Bring your culinary creativity to the next level and impress your guests with spectacular dishes such as mint caviar beads that burst in the mouth, chocolate spaghetti, lemon foam or tzatziki spheres! This all-encompassing, Do-It-Yourself kit includes all you need to experiment at home with the molecular techniques seen on Top Chef and in high-end restaurants, but without the celebrity chef price tag! Includes 40 pre-measured food additive sachets, specialized utensils and 50-recipe DVD; retails at USD 58.95.

Aqua Dragon Deluxe deep sea habitat with LED light

Spatial awareness and geometric patterns are great to learn about when you have a big morphing models. The Geometry construction set is made of interlocking geometric shapes. with the amazing morphing power of KnuckleStrutz joints, these building toys can transform, while all of the pieces still connected! With its many pieces, you can also build the Hyper Bike from our main product line.
• 514 pieces
• Create shapes that dynamically morph
• Build complex models with basic geometry
• Also includes instructions for the Hyper Bike motorcycle

With the Knuckz Delux, our biggest standard building set yet, you can assemble the Engine 29 fire truck and the Big Rig semi truck! You can also build 6 other models! Use the 397 pieces (including 12 gears and 10 tires) to construct any model you can imagine!
• 397 pieces
• Can build 8 models
• comes with 22 gears and 10 wheel tires

Be a Prospector! This fun deluxe kit introduces kids not only to the activity of panning for gold, but also to the history of the 1849 gold rush.  Each kit contains a 7” miner’s pan, a bag of pay dirt, magnifier, pipet, tweezers, storage flask and educational guide.

Our new deluxe Gemstone Necklace Excavate & Explore kits are an amazing way to make learning fun. Each kit contains a fully dimensional, colored dig block, digging tool, dusting brush, magnifier, and coil style necklace to hold gemstones, keepsake bag and educational booklet. Each booklet has interesting information about the subject and fun activities.
Awards: 2015 TDmonthly Magazine Top Toy Award