July 2012 Notable Toys — Science & Nature

From Basher, the illustrator who made science too-cool-for-school, comes a fun and funky poster and sticker book to introduce the youngest readers to the wonderful world of Basher Science. Featuring some of the friendly and iconic superstars of the best-selling titles in the series—Rocks and Minerals, Astronomy, Biology, Chemistry, Planet Earth, Oceans, and Physics—as well as four pages of reusable stickers and gentle, child-friendly text, this book is an appealing, interactive treat for the youngest science hounds. Launch date: July 2012.

From the bestselling illustrator whose friendly take on science has revolutionized our understanding of everything from the periodic table to the universe, comes a fresh take on technology as only Basher can do it. Discover the secrets behind the devices we take for granted, and learn about the amazing inventions that have transformed our lives. From the Movers and Shakers who power our physical world, to the Gizmos, Home Bodies, and High Rollers who power our vehicles, entertainment, and smartphones—and pretty much everything else around us—Technology is a compelling guide to the big-bytes whiz-kids, powerhouse motors, and other characters who drive our inventive, highly engineered world. Launch date: July 2012
— As of 07/24/2012 this product had 5 out of 5 stars from 2 reviews on Amazon.com.

Electric motors and generators are in countless devices, appliances, and vehicles we use every day. They are an essential technology in our modern world. With this kit, kids can conduct 25 experiments to learn how an electric motor converts electricity into motion, and how an electric generator does just the opposite, converting motion into electricity. The electric motor is made of transparent plastic to show how the inside components work. Set up the motor to run on battery power and learn how a motor works. Then reconfigure the device to work in reverse as a hand-crank electric generator. Experiment with magnets to learn about the force of magnetism, and how magnetic fields relate to electric current. Build simple circuits consisting of the motor or generator, wires, and a light bulb to learn about the flow of electricity. Learn about gears and drive-trains and how they work to effectively convert kinetic energy into electrical energy and back again. The full-color, 48-page manual guides your experiments with step-by-step instructions.

The BILD line offers a stimulating opportunity for constructive play and imaginative exploration. Leap always knew it was destined for fun. Inspired by a rocket, this Bit redesigned itself to fly. With a well placed propeller and a powerful spring, Leap is always ready to leap into action. Crank is the go-to BIT. Whether he's scooping sand, clutching parts, or fixing the other Bits, Crank is the one for the job.Set Contains: 1 OGOBILD BITS Leap character and 1 OGOBILD BITS Crank character.
Awards: Summer 2012 Tillywig Award Winner

Includes everything kids need to create an enchanting home for three wee gnomes. This all-inclusive garden craft kit includes a garden dish, potting mix, wheat grass seeds, bark house, leaf-shaped pond, mossy rocks, stepping stones, resin gnomes, toadstools, ladybugs, paint, brush and a mister - just add water and a little sunshine. The garden dish measures 11"w x 2"d. The natural wheat grass seeds are pet friendly and sprout in just a few days.
Awards: Summer 2012 Tillywig Award Winner

Make free standing snowmen with DuneCraft’s brand new Mini Snowman Kit. The Make Your Own Snowman Kit is perfect for creating a winter wonderland in the house at any time of the year. This set comes with everything needed to make life-like snow, snowmen, a snow fort or igloo, and many little snowballs. All of the materials are completely reusable and are sure to provide hours of delightful holiday fun. Make Your Own Snowman World is safe for ages 3 and up and retails for $4.99. Launch date: February 2011.

These unique National Geographic puzzles are great for puzzle fans who love animals and nature. Puzzles come in four themes: Into the Wild, Natural Wonders, Monumental Marvels, and World Travel.

Among the most difficult, as well as among the most beautiful Scramble Squares® puzzles, the Hummingbirds Scramble Squares® is a wonderful gift for bird enthusiasts, naturalists, gardeners and for anyone needing a little humility.
Awards: 2012 Dr. Toy Best Classic Toys

Using Bernoulli’s principle Fascinations has engineered a way to float a disc in the air over 18 inches high. Of course at that height it can become difficult to balance any object on a cushion of air but that’s where all the fun begins. How long can it stay in the air and how long can it fly? It’s cooler than magic because it’s real science at work.

The state of Earth's atmosphere affects us all, which explains why the weather is one of the most popular topics of conversation and scientific study. Build a model of Earth and its atmosphere and then use it to conduct experiments that show how the global wind system works. Trace air currents from the icy cold poles to the warm equator and back with a wisp of smoke. Model Earth's heat reservoirs, thermals, and global and local winds. Recreate ocean currents in a small basin of water. Simulate Earth's rotation and revolution to learn how the sun affects the weather daily and seasonally. Learn about the climatic zones and the composition of the atmosphere. Experiment to see how carbon dioxide levels affect temperature. Explore the hydrological cycle to learn about humidity, clouds, and precipitation. Build a simple barometer, set up a rain gauge, and track the temperature. Full-color, 48-page manual featuring 23 experiments.

Put this glow-boratory to the test with 20 experiments that will help you answer questions like, what makes a glowing ball bounce and, what does fake snow have in common with spaghetti? View the experiments with a hand-held black light, build a lava lamp, and create glowing alien blood. Test out projects that teach about these 9 principles of science: fluorescence, phosphorescence, chemiluminescence, bioluminescence, polymers, non-Newtonian fluids, carbon dioxide reactions, crystal formation, and nucleation. This kit includes: a handheld black-light activator, 4 glow sticks, mix-n-measure scoop, fluorescent ink, beaker, mixing cup, 3 creature molds, 2 test tubes and stand, funnel, bouncy ball mold, glow-in-the-dark powder, bouncy ball polymer, jelly balls polymer, fake snow polymer, star stickers, and a 24-page Lab Book.

Snap parts together to build different circuits, and watch the different pieces light up. Includes fiber optics over a light organ that can be connected to an iPod; the lights will flash to the beat of the music. Includes strobe lights with different plates so kids can experiment with strobe patterns, white LED lights, glow in the dark and lighted fan blades, a light up egg, and more.
Awards: 2013 TDmonthly Seal of Approval

Where to buy:
NORTH EAST
SOUTH

In Forest Animal-opoly, players buy their favorite animals and learn to be caretakers of the forest by providing food and water for their animals. Whether it’s a huge bison or a tiny weasel, all the animals in the forest are important to the natural cycle of life, therefore, fines are enforced for littering and polluting their habitat. On the reverse side of each property deed find cool facts & unique characteristics for each forest animal. "Forest Animal-opoly is made in the USA, printed with vegetable based inks and made using recycled paper," Carla Miller from Late for the Sky Production Co., told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2012.

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.