June 2011 Notable Toys — Science & Nature

Cheery is a frog. He’s a Chiricahua Leopard Frog, to be more precise. Okay, he’s not a frog yet. At the beginning of the story, he’s still a tadpole. Young readers will learn how a tadpole turns into a frog and why some frogs—like Cheery—are dramatically declining in numbers around the world. Author Dr. Elizabeth W. Davidson is a research scientist at Arizona State University where she is working to save these amazing amphibians. Cheery: The true adventures of a Chiricahua Leopard Frog puts the problem in terms that young readers can grasp. The book contains valuable lesson guides for parents and teachers.

Kids will amaze their audience by rehearsing and performing 25 awesome chemistry experiments in their own science show. Whether they’re moving particles with their magic wand, creating self-destructing bottles, sparking fireworks from an orange, or watching mystical black snakes grow from a pile of power, this kit is sure to educate and entertain friends and family of all ages. Includes lab equipment, materials, chemicals, cue cards with stage directions, and a 64-page, full-color, comic-book style manual. The kit "Provides young scientists with the tools and instruction to create their own science show instead of watching one," Kim Hammann, sales & marketing manager at Thames & Kosmos, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2011.
— In a November 2011 survey about hobby toys, Mary Porter-Green, owner of The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., told TDmonthly, "We sell lots of science kits — the best selling ones are chemistry sets from Thames & Kosmos."

Produced since 1917, the gyroscope has been a classic educational toy for generations that continues to fascinate young and old alike with its mysterious force that seems to defy gravity. Gyroscope technology is used in numerous applications such as guidance and navigation systems in ships, planes and spacecraft. Instructions with several amazing enjoyable tricks available with each gyroscope. YouTube video link available to assist with selling. Manufactured in Indiana (USA Made). "Still a popular selling product after many years in the market. Our #1 selling toy out of over 450 products offered," Bob Sherman, sales associate at TEDCO Toys, told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2010 Seal of Approval from Homeschool.com; Dr Toy's Classic Toy Award

The 3-IN-1 Compass Tool is conveniently attached to a self-winding retractable carabiner clip, so it's always within reach yet quickly out of the way. Push-button releases spring-loaded compass lid. Flip-out magnifying glass stays neatly hidden when not in use. High-visibility LED signal light lets kids flash secret Morse code messages across any field.
Awards: National Parenting Center Seal of Approval Spring 2011

With these kits, kids can grow Fly Traps without soil. This complete kit comes with everything kids need to get started. A Hydro-Pump is included, which keeps the water fresh and the nutrients available to the roots of the growing plants. Each Complete Kit Includes: Sprouting and Growing Dome, Hydroponic Rack,Hydro-Pump, 4 Net Pots, 4 Rock-Wool Cubes, Fly Trap Seed Pack: 8mg, 3 Color Decals, 1 Bag Part A Nutrient: 1.5oz, 1 Bag Part B Nutrient: 1.5oz, 1 Nutrient Scoop, and Instructions.

Kids can grow their own organic vegetables, guaranteed. The pot, soil-less planting mixture, even the seeds- are certified organic. The interest in edibles has been soaring and is only increasing. All the plants are quick to sprout and easy to grow and will produce their harvest early. Sprout inside and plant the whole pot in the ground after a month or two and let the bountiful harvest begin.

The Eco-Biker is a wind turbine toy that helps kids understand this form of alternative energy. Kids can clip it to a bike's handlebars or anywhere in the breeze, and watch as the fan powers a LED light. The stronger the wind, the faster the Eco-Biker pedals, and the brighter the LED shines. Eco-friendliness, sustainability, and energy-consciousness are the focus of this toy. Similar kits are purely for experimental purposes; but this small kit with a compact and highly efficient design makes it easy for kids to play and learn at the same time. 45 pieces; takes an average of 20 minutes to assemble.

Our new Eco Plant Pals are fun and environmentally friendly. All these pet plants are easy and interesting to grow. The planter and dome are both made from a corn resin. Each kit comes with everything needed including a color decal, and collectible trading card. Different types of Pals come with names that reflect their unique personalities. There are 18 styles and a counter display available.

If you frequent wooded areas, it’s only a matter of time until you’re bitten. Tick is the newest addition to the Critters Category. This toy is a plush, five-to-seven inch-high versions of its counterpart in nature. Like all GIANTmicrobes products, this new addition is a humorously educational toy modeled on electron micrographs, enlarged a million times actual size. Each product includes the micrograph image as well as information about the microbe it represents.

Hay Fever is the newest addition to the Maladies Category – with no argument from some of the 60 million adults and children in the USA who, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, experience Hay Fever symptoms. Hay Fever, or medically speaking, seasonal allergic rhinitis, is a physiological reaction to the courtship rituals of grasses, trees and weeds. This toy is a plush, five-to-seven inch-high versions of its counterpart in nature. Like all GIANTmicrobes® products, the new additions are humorously educational toys modeled on electron micrographs, enlarged a million times actual size. Each product includes the micrograph image as well as information about the microbe it represents.

With The Klutz Guide to the Galaxy, kids can explore the universe without leaving the comfort of their backyard. This galactic tool kit has everything kids need: a build-it-yourself telescope, a night-sight flashlight, star and moon maps, a no-batteries-required sundial, a mariner’s quadrant to steer by the stars, tons of intergalactic activities, and more.
Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy Award, June 2011
— Why it won: Who knew you could build a telescope with a book? Everything needed to create a spyglass for space is contained within the Guide to the Galaxy's pages. There are lots of facts about the universe, plus other projects that kids can build to help navigate this world and others. It's a great gift that will appeal to both boys and girls.

Everything kids need for all over clean, the Glamology Pearly Shampoos and Face and Body Cleanser uses pH balanced ingredients to cleanse away dirt from the face, body and hair safely and effectively. Extremely gentle, kids can customize their creations to their skin and hair type using the colorful ingredients to create pearly shampoos and face and body cleanser.

Dinosaur Train Dino Poop Kit let's kids discover what the dinosaur ate. Kids can create their own fossil imprint with what they find. It's not real poop...but it sure does feel like it. Assortment Includes: Buddy - Carnivore, Tank - Herbivore, Mr. Conductor - Omnivore.

Capture photos and video with this 500x digital power microscope. Five specimen samples Included: rock, fabric, color wheel, feather, and circuit board. Software works with PCs. For Mac users the MicroViewer works with Photo Booth.

This easy to use microscope hooks up to a computer to show magnified images. Five specimen samples Included: rock, fabric, color wheel, feather, circuit board. Included software works with PCs. Takes Photos (up to 3200 x 2400) and Video (up to 1600 x 1200). For Mac users works easily with Photo Booth.

This telescope comes as a kit so users can learn how a telescope works as they build
this easy-to-assemble, portable refractor telescope. It features a 1.57-inch (40mm) glass objective lens and a 20mm high-quality Kellner eyepiece, which provides a magnification of 25x, delivering clear views to budding astronomists. Includes three telescope jackets so users can decorate their 'scope.

This telescope comes as a kit so users can learn how a telescope works as they build
this easy-to-assemble, portable refractor telescope. Equipped with a precision ground and coated glass objective lens, the scope delivers clear views to budding astronomists.Features 50mm F/10 Refractor Kit, 20mm Eyepiece (can be swapped with any standard size eyepiece), premium double objective lenses made from custom-ground optical glass, and three lens configurations.

Polish real amber to reveal the hidden treasures that may be trapped within. Just like the paleontologists in the movie Jurassic Park, kids will create a window back in time. Follow the simple instructions and peer into the real amber pieces in search of ancient bugs and plants that were alive during the time of the dinosaurs. This fun activity kit contains 5 real pieces of amber, 6 special grades of gemstone quality sandpaper, magnifying glass, adventure booklet, and an amber-colored key chain with a genuine scorpion inside. Launch date: 2012.
Awards: 2012 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval; 2012 Product of the Year - Informal Education Products