August 2014 Notable Toys — Science & Nature

The multi-model cabability of ENGINO TOY SYSTEM is proportional to the number of parts contained in the sets. The inventor pro series is the ultimate range more suitable for intermediaste and advanced users who literally "play to invent" ! The models created with these sets are bigger and more elaborate and can move with the new compact dual output motor. The series starts with the 40 models set and goes all the way to the 100 models set which has 2 motors and extra gears for even more complex builds. Each set contains printed instructions for selected 10 models while the rest can be downloaded free from engino's website.

All you need is sunshine, water and your creativity to make unique and beautiful sun art prints! Place natural objects like flowers, leaves, shells or even man-made objects on the sun-sensitive paper. Add the foam letters to spell out a message. Use the enclosed dry erase markers to write or draw designs on the acrylic panel. Set outside on a sunny or overcast day or even indoors in a sunny window. Sit back and watch as the sun turns the paper a beautiful blue! Everything needed to make 15 unique and beautiful sun art prints! Kit includes 15 sheets 8” x 10” SunArt paper; one 8” x 10” acrylic panel; three 8” x 10” sheets of decorative clip art; two dry erase markers and 78 foam letters. For ages 6+. Made in USA.

Build, Create and Animate! OGOBILD is a line of creative construction toys created to promote open-ended play and stimulate a child's imagination. This kit contains Animate It! Express software, which was developed with the Aardman Animations studio (the creators of Wallace & Gromit and Chicken Run) and is the premier UK education stop-motion animation software. Teaches the basics of stop motion animation. Allows kids to make their own animated movies with Animate It! Express. Takes advantage of the OGOBILD System's Versatility. Share finished films with family, friends, and the world!
Awards: 2014 TDmonthly Magazine Top Toy Award

Build this Strandbeest kit yourself! It has a very interesting mechanism: blowing into the fan makes the animal start walking against the wind. The wind power is conveyed to the legs by 2 gears. The 28-page science guide gives you the history of the real Strandbeest that Theo Jansen started building in1990. The guide also includes easy-to-follow assembly instructions.

Giant-sized solar science fun! This 50 foot long balloon soars high in the sky powered by the sun. Demonstrates buoyancy, convection, thermodynamics and solar power. Teaches Bernoullis Principle and Pascals Principle. Great for science classes and the perfect start to a science project. Bright direct sunlight on a calm, cool day has the Solar Balloon soaring in just minutes. Includes one 50 foot long by 29" diameter Solar Balloon, 400 feet of string, complete instructions and science learning guide. Made in USA.

Scientists have been exploring the earth and space science from as early as 4900 B.C. From ancient Egyptians, to Galileo, to Neil deGrasse Tyson, the secrets of the cosmos have kept us wondering, observing and learning. The littleBits Space Kit will enable anyone to build their own space investigations with little to no engineering knowledge. Included is a handy 30+ page booklet, with step-by-step instructions for 10 great projects like the ISS and Mars Rover. You'll also receive 2 9V battery + cables - everything you need to get started right out of the box.

Build a working electric fan using a circuit that consists of a fan blade rotor, electric motor, LED, resistor, switch, and battery holder. Learn how motors work, the role each electronic component plays in the circuit, and how fan blades push air to make wind.
— In a January 2015 survey, four out of 10 retailers told TDmonthly that Thames & Kosmos was their best-selling brand of STEM toys.

The KT06 kit contains 6 Cubelets and is a great way to get started with modular robotics. With KT06, you can create simple mobile and reactive Cubelet robots.

These deluxe kits are an amazing way to make learning fun!
Each kit contains a sculpted and painted dig block, digging tool, dusting brush, magnifier, keepsake bag and educational booklet.  Each booklet has interesting information about the subject and fun activities. 
Assortment includes 9 kits: 2 of the Amethyst, Gemstone and Dinosaur Poop Fossil kits and 1 each of the Meteorite, Real Sea Life Fossils and Dinosaur kits.

These detailed Tyrannosaurus and Triceratops puppets are sure to bring out the imagination. Kids will have fun for hours. The assortment contains 2 of each of the 2 styles.

Endorsed by Haynes (World's No. 1 publisher of Car Repair Manuals). Construct a fully working model of a car engine with ignition sound and light-up spark plugs. These models are fun and challenging to put together. Both kits contain all the tools you'll need to assemble over 100 detailed and precise parts of this working model. Includes and electric motor to stimulate engine function and a clear step-by-step Haynes Manual to assist intrepid mechanics and motorheads. Requires two AA batteries.