TDmonthly's ToyFair 2006 Preview--Science & Nature Product Category

Classic Water Garden Starter Kit Eco-Aquarium by WILD CREATIONS

This balanced ecosystem offers a low-maintenance way for children or adults to enjoy an aquarium environment. It comes complete with water, a snail, two little frogs, food and care pack. The water in the aquarium only has to be changed every five or six months.
— ''We sold about 660 during the year,” Marc Holcomb, owner of Toys & Co. in Greensboro, S.C., said in autumn 2010. Dave Campbell of Amazing Toys in Great Falls, Mont., sells approximately 12 per month.
— "I brought in 20, and in two weeks it sold out. I brought in 20 more and it sold out," Gage Brownell, manager of Belmont Toys in Belmont, Mass., told TDmonthly in March 2009 about the EcoAquariums he discovered at Toy Fair the month before. Molly McMullin of Twirl in Taos, N.M., reported sales of about 70 a month in March 2009.
— "Everyone was excited about them," Jeanne McCullough, owner of Children's Store Inc., said following ASTRA Marketplace in June 2009.
— In late summer/early fall 2009, three of 38 retailers named EcoAquariums as a best-selling science and nature product, noting sales of 18 to 60 a month. “We were hesitant to bring them in. We didn’t want to be a pet store. But it’s a neat idea. It’s low maintenance. It’s something the parents and kids can agree on,” Gary Green of Toy Box of Asheville in Asheville, N.C., told TDmonthly.
Awards: 2010 Tillywig Top Fun; Parent's Choice Award 2010
Past Videos: Toy Fair 2009 ( Watch Video) 2/16/2009 (Price: $30.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Lid Poppin' Planting Kit by A JACK SPROUT INC.

Each Lid Popping kit has just the right soil for its approximately 300 seeds. It's covered with a write-on label that starts the lesson, map of Jack's meadow, and a custom grid for practice charting growth over time. 2/13/2009 (Price: $4.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Grow more sunflower sprouts: Soil and Seeds Refill Kit by A JACK SPROUT INC.

Now that you know how to grow the delicious sunflower sprouts, you can order more crops and watch the "pop-up tray" pop up again. Included: new label, soil and seeds for one crop in your existing tray. 2/13/2009 (Price: $1.25) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Jack Sprout Song and Story CD by A JACK SPROUT INC.

The World's #1 Sprout Song and Jack's Story on CD! Electronic files are also available for free on A Jack Sprout Inc.'s website. 2/12/2009 (Price: $4.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Jack Sprout Mascot by A JACK SPROUT INC.

These are first edition signed and numbered dolls. There are 1,500 left out of the original 2,400. Jack Sprout is a soft cotton stuffed doll. He's 22” tall, light green, with dark green removable cotton overalls. He's always waving and smiling and a positive influence for any classroom or child's bedroom. 2/12/2009 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ask the Planet: The Missoula Coyote Choir & Friends by THE BIOMIMICRY INSTITUTE

Designed to help children connect children to nature and teach them about environmental concerns, this album features the Missoula Coyote Choir, made up of children ages 7 to 12 who are building eco-awareness. The project also promotes the process of biomimicry — learning from nature itself in order to develop solutions for a more sustainable world. The CD includes 18 tracks.  “A bunch of great songs for kids, their grownups and other animals.” —Bill Harley, Grammy® Award Winner.
Awards: 2009 Creative Child Preferred Choice Award, 2009 Parents' Choice Award, 2009 iParenting Media Best Choice Award. 2/9/2009 (Price: $14.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Little Labs: Intro to Engineering by THAMES & KOSMOS

Intro to Engineering is part of the Little Labs line, which is intended to be the portal through which children ages five to seven first begin to explore and appreciate science. Intro the Engineering introduces young children to the field of engineering with 25 experiments in five sections. Children learn engineering basics with experiments on levers, forces, and pulleys. They explore engineering on land by building vehicles with wheels; engineering in the air with a helicopter, a parachute, and a glider; and engineering in the water with a diving bell, a sailboat, and a paddleboat. They even find engineering at home, with experiments modeling the telephone and television (without breaking them, of course). This kit has a 48-page, full-color experiment manual, and a retail price of $34.95. Available summer 2009. ( Watch Video) 2/6/2009 (Price: $34.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Dangerous Book for Boys: Classic Chemistry by THAMES & KOSMOS

The Dangerous Book for Boys: Electronics presents information on electronics every child should know through fun, engaging, and impressive experiments and activities. Children ages eight and up learn how to construct simple electronic toys, such as a joy buzzer and insect. It comes with a 32-page, full-color experiment manual and retails for $35.95. Awards: Parent's Choice Award 2010. Launch date: Fall 2009. ( Watch Video) 2/6/2009 (Price: $35.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fuel Cell 10: 10th Anniversary Car & Experiment Kit by THAMES & KOSMOS

Targeted for ages ten and up, this edition enables a younger audience to experience one of the most significant technologies of the early 21st Century — especially appropriate in the midst of our auto industry crisis and global energy situation. By constructing and operating a unique reversible hydrogen fuel cell, powered by water and sunlight, children build a model car that actually runs on water! And in so doing, they join auto manufacturers in experimenting with a technology that will power not only automobiles, but electronic devices such as laptops and cell phones. This new edition has a beautifully redesigned car body with a display stand and a rewritten 64-page, full-color experiment manual, and retails for $169.95. Available fall 2009. 2/6/2009 (Price: $169.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Power House Green Essentials Edition by THAMES & KOSMOS

As a follow-up to the bestselling Power House kit comes Power House Green Essentials Edition, targeted towards a younger audience of ages 10 and up. This kit teaches children about the timely issues of alternative energy and sustainable living, by conducting 30 experiments and building ten energy-related models: the power house itself, a greenhouse, a solar cell array, a passive solar collector, a solar oven, an air conditioner, a refrigerator, a hydrometer, a lemon battery, and a wind power generator. They can even sow seeds in the greenhouse! The kit comes with a 64-page, full-color experiment manual and retails for $89.95. Available now.
— “Most anything from Thames & Kosmos, like the Power House, Wind Power [and] Creative Cosmetics,” sells well for education, according to Patti Tepper Rasmussen, owner of Learning Tree Toys, Games & Books in Oklahoma City, Okla.
— Three of 40 retailers mentioned science kits by Thames & Kosmos when discussing best-selling educational items in fall 2009. ( Watch Video) 2/6/2009 (Price: $89.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Meerkat Pups by SCHLEICH NORTH AMERICA, INC.

From their burrow to the spotlight. These popular and mischievous, fun loving little pups from the mongoose family are only one of seven new baby animals from Schleich’s 2009 Wild Life collection.  This year’s collection also includes the Zebra foal, Gnu Calf, Leopard Cub, Ostrich Chick, African black rhino calf, Gazelle fawn and Camel foal. 
 2/5/2009 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Explore Space by THE YOUNG SCIENTISTS CLUB

Get ready to Explore Space with this exciting mini-kit! Young Scientists recreate a solar eclipse, match planets to their descriptions, make their own “moonlight,” recreate the phases of the moon, construct a constellation box, identify mystery constellations, and design constellation cards. Explore Space will make Young Scientists want to be future astronomers! Launch date: February 2009. 1/30/2009 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Go Green by THE YOUNG SCIENTISTS CLUB

Get ready to Save the Earth with this exhilarating mini-kit! Young Scientists learn about acids and bases, use pH paper to test rain water, make Styrofoam magically disappear, create pulp from old newspapers, recycle paper, make new paper, recycle leaves in a peat pellet and learn about the three R’s! Go Green teaches Young Scientists all about recycling and how they can help Save the Earth! Launch date: February 2009. 1/30/2009 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

FREAKS OF NATURE FIZZ™ by GEOSPACE INTERNATIONAL

Harnessing high-tech magic, when kids drop the strange “egg” into a container of water, all manner of foaming bubbles and fizz whoosh through the void. When it’s finished, a small creature of unknown origin and form lies at the bottom. It should be picked up and placed into another jar of water. Slowly, fantastically, it begins to grow, and within three days, it’s three times bigger. "These 'Freaks of Nature' aren't just any typical animal. They are wacky cross-breeds. Including a Horsefly (a fly with the head of a horse), a Bullfrog (a frog with the head of a bull), a Catfish (you guessed it, a fish with the head of a cat) and more," Aaron Ackert, sales manager for Geospace International, told TDmonthly. Launch date: April 2009. THIS PRODUCT WAS NEVER BROUGHT TO MARKET AND IS NOT AVAILABLE. 1/30/2009 (Price: $6.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ant-O-Sphere-Beta Base Two-Quad Force by TREE TOYS CORP.

Children can make their own Inter Galactic Worlds and Biome Systems, as well as ant space food. They will see ant gardens, ant pools and ant baby hospitals. "All the ECO System range of kits are also designed to be interconnected. So Ants and Worms can go and explore the ECO Dome and Future Farms," Agatha Pan, international sales manager for Tree Toys Corp., told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2009. 1/23/2009 (Price: $22.95)

Future Farm by TREE TOYS CORP.

This hydroponic farm features 'magic' capillary wick feeding of special liquid nutrients to big biodome gardens where kids can grow their own sandwich fillings — without soil. It offers "leading-edge science for feeding populations where soil is poisoned or non-existent. We supply lab equipment and chemicals for kids to make their own liquid nutrients [and] purify and balance pH. Twin tanks and twin drainage reservoirs means two separate farms can compare different nutrients at same time," Agatha Pan, international sales manager for Tree Toys Corp., told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2009. 1/23/2009 (Price: $26.95)

A Pirate's Quest by CARL R. SAMS II PHOTOGRAPHY INC. (STRANGER IN THE WOODS)

"A Pirate's Quest" is the story of a one-legged pirate who loses his family heirloom peg leg. The pirate's journey begins by a tiny lake where his peg leg had drifted away during the night. He vows to find his leg by following the moving water from the lakes to the rivers to the ocean. And he never gives up. The story is beautifully illustrated with paintings by award-winning wildlife artist and host of the PBS television show "Your Brush with Nature," Heiner Hertling. Launch date: September 2008. 12/19/2008 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Riddle in a Bottle by CARL R. SAMS II PHOTOGRAPHY INC. (STRANGER IN THE WOODS)

"The Riddle in a Bottle," filmed by award-winning wildlife filmmakers Laura Sams and Robert Sams, shows how life on earth is connected through moving water. The Riddle Solvers try to solve a puzzling riddle that mysteriously floats to their inland riddle stand from the far away ocean. Kids can join them as they meet sea turtles, a singing pirate and more. Launch date: October 1, 2008. 12/12/2008 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

We All Live Downstream by THE BANANA SLUG STRING BAND

From the award-winning Banana Slug String Band come 10 toe-tappin’ tunes that celebrate all things water. Each song makes a perfect introduction to an elementary science lesson or just some danceable fun. Kids can grab their waders and wander from spring to sea in a musical adventure that’s wet and wild. Launch date: March 6, 2008. 12/12/2008 (Price: $15.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Rocks and Minerals Quizmo by WORLD CLASS LEARNING MATERIALS INC.

Two to 36 players match color photographs of rocks, minerals and gemstones with relating trivia facts or physical/chemical properties. With two levels of play, students will unearth three rock types and dust off some interesting trivia. The game involves practice with 70 different rocks, minerals and gemstones and includes color game boards, calling cards, plastic markers and an instructional guide. It teaches the physical characteristics of rocks and minerals, the rock cycle, and the characteristics, uses and names of rocks, minerals and gemstones. "All our games offer multiple levels of play and are aligned with national standards. They are made with the needs of every learner in mind," Alyssa Brown, product development manager for World Class Learning Materials, told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2009. 12/12/2008 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Point 'n View by BARSKA

BARSKA’s Point ’n View is a state-of-the-art integration of a high-quality 8 x 22 roof prism binocular and .3MP digital camera that is equally at home on a nature outing, sporting event or vacation. Instead of packing a separate binocular and digital camera, Point ‘n View gives you the convenience of both in one compact device. The Point ‘n View is packed with features that allow one to see, save, and share special moments with friends and family. Simply look through the binoculars and record the scene with the digital camera; then, download it to your PC and print it or e-mail it to friends. It includes a carrying case, instructions, software and cables. Launch date: 2008. 12/12/2008 (Price: $49.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fingerprint Kit by ALEX BRANDS

This undercover fingerprint kit comes with file cards, an ink pad, a fingerprint speciman card, fingerprint lifting tape and powder, a magnifying glass and a paint brush so that little kids can record and identify fingerprints.
— “Deliveries are very quick,” Tim Hayes, owner of Learning Express in Sudbury, Mass., told TDmonthly of this preferred vendor in fall 2008. “The pricing is fair. They're easy to do business with and the product sells extremely well.” Nearly 10 percent of 52 retailers named Alex as a favorite supplier. 12/10/2008 (Price: $13.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Electronic Playground by ELENCO

Build exciting projects with the Electronic Playground (EP-50) such as Voltmeter, Alarm, Radio Announcer and many more. 12/9/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cola Clock by ELENCO

Power a clock with the Cola Clock Kit. Learn how batteries work when you use cola to make a chemical reaction that powers a clock. 12/9/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Energy Conversion Kit by PACIFIC SCIENCE SUPPLIES INC.

This robust but economical seven-piece kit lets you demonstrate the conversion of energy between different forms. It includes four devices for generating electrical energy from mechanical motion (hand generator), chemical energy (batteries), light (solar cell) and wind (windmill) and three devices for using electrical energy to generate light (LED) motion (motor) and sound (buzzer). A set of connecting cables is included for hooking up the devices to each other in appropriate combinations. Includes manual. Weight (2 packages): 1.33 kg. Height of windmill: 25 cm. 11/26/2008