April 2012 Notable Toys — Science & Nature

Ms. Frizzle and her students take Young Scientists on a wild ride while becoming attracted to magnificent magnets. Young Scientists go on a magnetic scavenger hunt, build a compass, make magnetic slime, design magnetic faces, experiment with lodestone, play magnetic games, hold magnetic car races, and much, much more. This magnified kit includes a colorful poster with a racing track, game board, and experiment diagrams. Seatbelts everyone! Get ready and become Attracted to Magnificent Magnets. Launch date: January 2012.
Awards: 2012 PALS award

Kids can build and program their own computer. As easy as snapping together the circuits and downloading Elenco’s programs. Kids can write their own programs using Basic commands or flowcharts. Includes over 100 projects and over 50 parts. A great introduction to microcontrollers and how they are used in the world around us. Requires 3 "AA" batteries.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

Relate rocks to the history of the planet. Uses exciting eruptive experiments to foster comprehension. Mold and slice open a model of the earth, Create a lava fountain to explore density, Spew a volcano, Make pyroclastic eruptions, Discover which rocks will float and which will burn, Identify, break & display volcanic rocks, Sediment sedimentary rocks, Acid test rocks, Explore metamorphic rocks, and Form fossils.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval
— John Blair, owner of Science Safari in Cary, N.C., told TDmonthly in a late Summer 2012 survey that Norman & Globus products "are perennial. I continuously do well with these."

The Salt Water Fuel Cell Giant Arachnoid Kit gives children a chance to learn about new forms of clean energy, while building and powering their very own toy: Feed it saltwater and watch it scurry away...After activating the fuel cell module with a saltwater mixture, the magnesium metal sheet (3 sheets included) can operate the Spider for about 5-7 hours continuously. Because of these life-like similarities, the user may want to stop this insectoid. It is easy, simply take out the fuel cell module and rinse with tap water and dry.

The Salt Water Fuel Cell Monster Truck Kit is equipped with four-wheel drive mechanical construction. It easily handles different types of terrain by its twisted car body design. It has two transformable engine blocks: V engine or flat engine. The transparent case design allows children to see the rhythm of the piston in vertical or horizontal position. Each monster wheel can change its angle individually and the truck can change its height and shape. Forward and reverse...no problem; simply switch the "positive and negative" connectors. The Salt Water Fuel Cell Monster Truck gives children a chance to learn about new forms of clean energy, while building and powering their very own kit: Just add saltwater. After activating the fuel cell module with a saltwater mixture, the magnesium metal sheet (3 sheets included) can operate the car for about 5-7 hours continuously. To park the vehicle, simply take out the fuel cell module and rinse with tap water and dry.

Each bit has a simple, unique function (light, sound, sensors, etc), and modules snap to make larger circuits. With a growing number of available modules, littleBits aims to put the power of engineers in the hands of artists, makers and children. Contents: coin battery (rechargeable via micro usb cable) bargraph pressure sensor. Snap and play: magnets prevent kids from putting things the wrong way. Play with light, sound, sensing and buttons without wiring, soldering or programming. Kids can make their own interactive objects, or combine with other construction toys.

Just add water and watch these little clear and colored beads grow into giant jelly marbles. Before soaking, sort the different colors and ask science questions like “How are these alike, and how are they different?” Will the different colors grow to different sizes? Try it and see! Afterward, kids can have lots of fun playing with their experiments. Find a water-safe surface and play the slimiest game of marbles in town, or try them out as new jelly bouncy ball. Kids can even try to grow the amazing spheres in different liquids, like milk, vegetable oil, or salt water. Use a notebook and record hypotheses and observations.

From Basher, the illustrator who showed the periodic table in a whole new light and gave us his fresh spin on physics, biology, astronomy, rocks and minerals, planet earth and chemistry, comes a book that shines its light into our magical and mysterious oceans. Not content to stay on dry land, Basher takes to the high seas in this friendly guide to everything above and below the oceans. Meet the members of the Shoreline Gang, the Deep-down Dandies, and the characters in the Open-water Crew. Encounter deep trenches, curious creatures, mountains taller than any one will find on land, and the mixers and stirrers that keep the water flowing. Throughout it all, Basher’s bold, cheerful artwork pairs with rock solid scientific information to personalize readers’ understanding of Earth’s mysterious underwater world. Bonus: includes a pull out poster of the oceanic characters. Launch date: March 27, 2012.

An innovative solar science kit that encourages children to exercise their sense of creativity and imagination. It features all snap together plastic parts (no screws, tools required), solar panel and accessories. It is incredibly easy to assemble the 7 different modules: 2 power charging stations and 5 different vehicles. The transforming rechargeable station has 2 output plugs; one for solar recharging and the other for battery recharging. Amazingly, the battery charging station can bring the selected unit to full power in about 5 seconds and the solar recharging station will fully recharge in approximately 120 seconds. The fun time - run time is approximately 50-80 seconds. Similar to OWI's other mini solar kits, if you have sun, you have power. Enjoy five different vehicles: Solar Car, Concept Car, Bulldozer, Dump Truck and Concept Race.

New fun and colorful GEOMAG set lets kids build and put into motion. Build a spinning top, and put it into motion. Set makes two spinning tops. All components are manufactured to stringent European and American safety standards. GEOMAG E-Motion Power Spin 24 pc Includes: 8 magnetic rods; 8 Non-magnetic steel spheres; 2 performance tips; 1 triangle panel; 1 pentagon panel; 2 graphic discs; 1 triangle pro panel; 1 pentagon pro panel.

For 2012, play catch with this new, delightful Golden Retriever Puppy from Safari Ltd®. Its shaggy golden coat and eager expression capture this adoring animal’s most treasured features at a darling young age. Size is 2.75”L x 2.25”H. Suitable for ages 3+. All products are 100% guaranteed and phthalate and lead free to ensure children’s safety. Safari Ltd®’s 2012 introductions and more can be viewed and purchased online at safariltd.com. Launch date: 2012.
— William Meredith, owner of Learning Express in Cary, N.C., told TDmonthly in a Fall 2012 survey that they sell about 30 replica animals from Safari each month (more during the holidays, as stocking stuffers), making them one of their overall best selling toys.

For 2012, discover the thrills of leading a wolf pack with the new Safari Ltd® Wolf. Listen for the echoes of its piercing howl as it communicates with its fellow pack members. Standing 5.25”L x 3”H this figure is appropriate for ages 3+. All figures are 100% guaranteed and phthalate and lead free to ensure children’s safety. Safari Ltd®’s 2012 introductions and more can be viewed and purchased online at safariltd.com. Launch date: 2012.

Study the chip-chip sounds that give name to the new 2012 life size Eastern Chipmunk from Safari Ltd®. Learn from this intelligent creature as its perked ears listen closely for the softest of sounds. Model is 7”L x 3.5”H and is appropriate for ages 3+. All products are 100% guaranteed and phthalate and lead free to ensure children’s safety. Safari Ltd®’s 2012 introductions and more can be viewed and purchased online at safariltd.com. Launch date: 2012.

littleBits is a system of modular electronics that snap together with tiny magnets for prototyping and play. The littleBits starter kit is the first kit by littleBits and contains all you need to get started within seconds. Each bit has a simple, unique function (light, sound, sensors, etc), and modules snap to make larger circuits. With a growing number of available modules, littleBits aims to put the power of engineers in the hands of artists, makers and children. Included in the kit are 10 color coded modules (power, input, output, and wire) that snap together magnetically to create larger circuits, guaranteed to keep kids occupied for hours. Comes packaged in an attractive case with a magnetic closure and includes an instruction sheet, 9v battery and a custom plastic screwdriver. 

This kit is for kids as they begin to explore, experiment and discover their world. Over 70 fun exciting experiments to stimulate young minds. Launch date: 2012.

Harness the power of Mentos candies and soda into a racing car that travels 200 feet or more. Launch date: 2012.

Kids will explore the magic of crystal chemistry as they design and grow their own crystal ring. They will discover the secrets of crystal chemistry, learn to make sugar jewels and find out which household salts make the best crystals using the included magnifying glass to study them. Launch date: 2012.

Sleek high tech looking tablet with 21 smooth touch icons. Tablet has 4 activities to learn about Dinosaurs and 15 dinosaurs to discover – just like in the Smithsonian Museum. earn their names, hear their sounds, learn what their diet was and more fun information. Launch Date:  September 2012.

Kids can learn about colors, quantities, observation skill and more with Arthur’s Little TV. One infra-red remote and 4 double sided scene cards + 1 default scene card for 9 total fun scenes to interact with. Insert card into TV and start playing with fun discover and questions about each scene. Touch one of 6 Arthur characters on the remote to answer. Launch Date:  September 2012.

The new Handy Science Kits, exclusively from GeoCentral, will have kids learning from real science experiments. There are four different kits including Water, Color, Magnetism and Light. Each kit includes 6 experiments that strengthen a child's powers of observation while being interactive and fun. The Water Handy Science Kit teaches experiments like how to make fish swim, float objects and explore paper. With the Magnetism Handy Science kit you can do experiments like navigate through a magnetic maze, attract objects through water or build force fields. The Color Handy Science Kit teaches how to change colors, make colorful super bubbles and make rainbows. The Light Handy Science Kit teaches how to use the sun to tell time, magnify objects or block light. Launch date: 2012.

Learn fundamental principles of science through Amazing Science Experiments. Viewers learn about electricity, magnetism, heat, temperature, pressure, surface tension, buoyancy, and much more. For every demonstration, a complete materials list is given, and each experiment features multiple camera views so kids can see exactly what happens.  Most importantly, every concept is explained in a step-by-step fashion. Viewers not only be amazed - they'll understand the science behind every experiment.

This little hatchling can nestle inside its egg or emerge for play. Both egg and babies are hand painted. Educational information in five languages is available.

Detailed replicas of tropical marine life and a realistic coral reef surround this young diver with a wild underwater adventure. Exquisite sculpting and attention to detail make this the ideal gift for any child. The packaging features educational information in 5 languages on the back. All Safari Ltd.® products are phthalate and lead free and safety tested to safeguard children’s health. We take pride in the quality, innovation and design that have characterized our products for over 3 generations. Flippers, Fins & Fun Gift Set Includes: Dolphin, Sea Turtle, Queen Triggerfish, Grouper, Coral Reef, and Freddie the Free Diver. Box Size: 11” W x 4.75” H x 4” D (28 x 12 x 10 cm)

Join all the fun down on the ranch with our attractive accessories that complement the Safari Ltd.® Farm collection. Complete with fences, hay, entrance gate and a water trough, this set makes a perfect companion with our Down on the Farm Barn & Stable in addition to our Safari Ltd.® Farm animals. Children can let their imagination roam as they simulate life on a ranch. All our products are phthalate-free and thoroughly safety tested to safeguard your child's health. Safari Ltd.® takes pride in providing breathtaking, innovative and value priced replicas for now over three generations.