December 2008 New Specialty Toys — Science & Nature

This structure is the form of a virus, but it's been flattened by the extreme gravity of another world. Don't worry, it's harmless to humans. FYI: The shape's official geometrical name is "Squashed Fractal Icosahedron". 123 parts: 33 white nodes, 30 blue struts, 30 yellow struts, 30 red struts each in 3 different sizes.

A great way to introduce young minds to Zome, already used successfully in thousands of schools worldwide! Includes 388 Zome components, Zome Learning Adventures Volume 1, an interactive DVD (or Video cassette) full of “funstructional” activities, and the Bubble Adventures activity book (3 volumes in one).

Kids can use this kit to build a working wind turbine to harness power out of thin air. Wind is one of the most promising sources of clean, renewable energy available today. During the experiments, kids will learn the physics of force and motion as it applies to wind power technology. The kit includes a full-color, 32-page experiment manual that offers illustrated instructions for 20 experiments and scientific information. Kids will build a working wind turbine, harnes mechanical energy to lift weights and more.
— “I’m featuring science kits that teach kids about the environment or renewable energy, such as the Thames and Kosmos Wind Power and the Fuel Cell X7,” said Michelle Smith of Piccolo Mondo Toys in Portland, Ore., of this good seller in her store.

A simple introduction to the complex and fascinating world of magnetism, Dowling Magnets’ Assorted Magnet Box contains a variety of basic magnets in different shapes and colors, a shoelace, and a handbook with magnet information and fun facts. 
— “We have a huge homeschooling community, and kids are fascinated by magnets,” observed Jacque Flagg, owner of Jacques Inc. in Bryan, Texas, when discussing best-selling science products in August 2008.
— Of 64 retailers polled in Summer 2008, 4 percent listed magnets as their top-selling science item.

This Sea Monkeys kit comes with everything one needs to get started raising these living, swimming ”micro-crustaceans.” After treatment with the included water purifier, sprinkle the pouch of dormant Sea Monkey eggs into the tank, and watch the new pets appear and grow. It comes with a “growth guarantee.”
— “Another thing that sells really well is the Sea Monkeys. We sell a lot of those, and we had one of those on display,” Pat Cooley, owner of Cooleykatz Toys Livermore, Calif., told TDmonthly in August 2008 when discussing popular science and nature toys.
— “Kids still get so excited about those little kits,” said Janet Gregory, owner of Over the Rainbow Toys in Anchorage, Alaska. “A lot of adults seem to be drawn to them, too, because of the nostalgia factor.”
― As of 9.23.2010, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 9 reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 10 in best-selling science and nature toys. PROS: Entertaining, educational, interactive and easy to use.