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

Expedition to Mars by KRISTAL EDUCATIONAL INC.

Explore the Red Planet and one of its most enigmatic features: VALLES MARINERIS, the "Grand Canyon of Mars". This vast system of canyons stretches over 2,400 miles (4,000 km) around Mars, up to 435 miles (700 km) wide and 4.35 miles (7 km) deep. Explore its mysteries by building a 20"x13" 3D-model of VALLES MARINERIS. Assemble 8 actual NASA contour maps compiled by a Mars-orbiting spacecraft, and mount them in a full-color frame with close-up views of the Martian surface. 2/28/2008 (Price: $29.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Expedition: Giant Shark Tooth by KRISTAL EDUCATIONAL INC.

Sharks are one of the most successful species in the history of life. They inhabited the oceans of Earth for more than 450 million years. All modern sharks are dwarfed by CHARCHARODON MEGALODON, a gargantuan 50 ft. shark which existed 10-25 million years ago. Its teeth reached a length of up to 7" (21 cm). Excavate, restore and display an authentic 5" (13 cm) reproduction of such a giant MEGALODON tooth which was cast from an original. In addition, your excavations will yield a real 16 million year old shark tooth. 2/28/2008 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Space Age Crystals: Mini Series - Aquamarine by KRISTAL EDUCATIONAL INC.

Turn ordinary rocks into sparkling crystals treasures! Just dissolve the SPACE AGE CRYSTAL GROWING materials in hot water, place a rock into the solution and watch how fascinating crystals grow right before your eyes, up to 4 inch (10 cm) in diameter. ( Watch Video) 2/28/2008 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Space Age Crystal Growing Kit - Citrine and Topaz by KRISTAL EDUCATIONAL INC.

This 6-crystal kit grows two crystal clusters on rock, two gem-like single crystals, and two crystal geodes. Just dissolve the crystal growing chemicals in hot water, place a rock or geode cast with a diameter of up to 6" (15 cm) into the solution, and watch how crystals grow on it. 2/28/2008 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Forever Forest: Kids Save a Tropical Treasure by DAWN PUBLICATIONS

The book invites children to the Children’s Eternal Rainforest in Costa Rica to hear howler monkeys, see algae-covered sloths and discover the strangler figs that make great hideouts. The book is available in both paperback and hardcover editions. Launch date: Spring 2008. 2/19/2008 (Price: $8.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Going Around the Sun Some Planetary Fun by DAWN PUBLICATIONS

The book teaches young children about the solar system and the universe. Children will learn about planet orbit, planet rotation, gravity, solar radiation, seasons and space proportions. Launch date: Spring 2008. 2/19/2008 (Price: $8.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

How We Know What We Know About Our Changing Climate: Scientists and Kids Explore Global Warming by DAWN PUBLICATIONS

This age-appropriate book helps children take a look at the science behind the weather: evidence from flowers, butterflies, birds, frogs, trees, glaciers and much more, gathered by scientists from all over the world. The book is written and illustrated by children’s environmentalist Lynne Cherry and award-winning photojournalist Gary Braasch. Launch date: Spring 2008. Also available in hardback ($18.95). 2/19/2008 (Price: $11.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Digital Microscope Kit by CELESTRON INTERNATIONAL

This multi-purpose microscope can be used as a traditional microscope with powers up to 600x or attach the digital camera to view on your computer.  It is the perfect tool for discovering and learning about the world we can’t see.  Included software allows you to save digital images and video to your computer. 1/23/2008 (Price: $79.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

DeLuxe Snap Rover SCROV-10 by ELENCO

The DeLuxe Snap Rover kit comes with a remote control and features over 20 projects and has 30 parts. This exciting DeLuxe Snap Rover go forward and backward, turns right and left, and has side lights ,headlight and horn. With added features as a Disk Shooter, Digital Voice Recorder and Music sounds. All parts snap together with ease and no soldering is required. A full colored manual is included. 1/16/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

SnapTricity SCBE-75 by ELENCO

The Snaptricity kit provides over 40 parts including a meter, electromagnet, motor, lamps, switches, a fan and a compass. It provides knowledge about magnetic fields, how switches control the lights in homes and how series and parallel circuits affect electricity. A color-coded manual is included in this kit that demonstrates the 75 projects. 1/16/2008 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

EyeClops BioniCam™ by JAKKS PACIFIC INC.

With the simple flip of a switch, kids can adjust the new multi-zoom lens for a 100x, 200x or 400x magnification. The device features a color LCD screen, a clip-on battery pack, a built-in camera, a built-in flash drive and A/V jack capability, allowing images to be displayed on a television screen. A USB key is also included, allowing users to easily upload images to a computer. The BioniCam’s portable design makes it easy for kids to carry the device anywhere. Launch date: Fall 2008. 1/11/2008

FunFlyStick - Magic Levitation Wand by Unitech Toys Inc/Toys i.e., LLC

The wand is designed to look like a true wizard’s magic wand. The patented magic wand allows levitating objects indoors to go as high as the ceiling allows. With or without a magic spell, just press the button and watch how toy objects included with the set expand and fly up as high as you can make them go. Awards: TDmonthly Innovations 2008.
— The wand demonstrates “real levitation,” Olga Ousherovitch, president and co-owner of Toysie LLC, told TDmonthly.

( Watch Video) 1/2/2008 (Price: $27.00)

Mini Solar Kit – Peppy Orangutan by OWI INC.

The orangutan’s animal-like animation – traversing over ropes, hand-over-hand like a real monkey – is enabled using only solar energy. Only 15 parts need to be assembled. The unit will motivate students to learn about micro-robotics and solar energy. It will also teach students to follow precise visual diagrams. ( Watch Video) 1/2/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mini Solar Car Kit – Sonic F1 by OWI INC.

The Sonic F1 is the perfect balance of aerodynamics, transmission, speed, and stylish design. It consumes no fossil resources – harnessing just the energy of the sun – making it an educational tool that teaches alternative energy concepts. It comes with ten parts that are easy to assemble and require no tools or batteries. 1/2/2008 (Price: $15.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mini Solar Kit – Valiant Viking Ship by OWI INC.

The ship comes ready with 33 parts, ready for assembly. A docking station is included and no batteries or tools are required. The set motivates students to learn about solar energy, challenges students to be technically precise with miniature parts and teaches students to follow precise visual diagrams. 1/2/2008 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mini Solar Kit – Flapping Sea Gull by OWI INC.

The bird features a suction cup that allows it to be secured in direct sunlight and function as a weather indicator. Twelve plastic parts come ready for assembly and no batteries are required. The set teaches students to follow precise visual diagrams and challenges young people to be technically precise with miniature parts. 1/2/2008 (Price: $13.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Mini Solar Kit – Aerial Cable Car by OWI INC.

The car’s power grid system “powers on” when the sun is bright. The set comes with a transport cable, automatic round trip return stoppers, a solar panel and 30 plastic parts to assemble. No batteries are required, making the unit environmentally safe. It challenges young people to be technically precise with miniature parts, follow precise visual diagrams and learn about solar energy. 1/2/2008 (Price: $17.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Antlantis by TOYOPS INC.

The ecosystem set allows one to create a personal oasis, learn and have fun taking care of plants, nurture a sustainable habitat and watch ants move from one habitat to another. Viewers will witness ants in a real environment, moving food, digging tunnels, raising baby ants and protecting the colony.
— The kits “are designed to have great play value while exploring important scientific concepts and skills,” Dennis Callaghan of Toyops Inc. told TDmonthly. Additionally, the product “is eco-friendly and part of a connectable world.” 12/28/2007 (Price: $29.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

TickleMe Plant Growing Kit by TICKLEME PLANT COMPANY INC.

This plant grows within days of being planted, folds up to sleep at night and moves quickly when tickled. The complete growing kit includes a 5” x 4” x 2-1/2” Jiffy Mini-Greenhouse, six peat pellets, one TickleMe Plant seed packet (10 to 20 Mimosa pudica seeds) and easy-to-follow instructions. Launch date: 2003. 12/5/2007 (Price: $9.99)

Matrix Binocular/Radio by BARSKA

The high quality 8 x 20 binocular is Integrated with an AM/FM radio with TV channel audio reception. The binocular and radio duo also features top-control buttons, an LCD screen display, LCD backlighting, adjustable eyepiece separation, a stopwatch, a digital clock, Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature display, a neck strap and a rigid carrying case with a foam insert for earphones and batteries. A one-year limited warranty is included. Launch date: December 2007. 12/5/2007 (Price: $119.98) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Nutrient Agar by PACIFIC SCIENCE SUPPLIES INC.

Nutrient Agar is used as a culture medium to cultivate various household bacteria. Our 10g bottle of Nutrient Agar will provide enough agar for 20-40 Petri dishes. How many petri dishes it will fill varies due to size of the dishes and volume poured into each dish. Detailed agar preparation instructions included Packaged in bright, colorful PacSci packaging. 12/5/2007

Petri Dishes, with Agar by PACIFIC SCIENCE SUPPLIES INC.

Discover the fun of microbiology with plastic petri dishes and nutrient agar. Nutrient agar is used as a culture medium to cultivate various household bacteria. Detailed agar preparation instructions included. Three 90mm Petri dishes and one bag of nutrient agar are packaged in bright, colorful PacSci packaging. 12/5/2007

Microscope Slide Making Kit — Plastic by PACIFIC SCIENCE SUPPLIES INC.

Prepare your own slide specimens with our Microscope Slide Making Kit. Instructions for making prepared slides included on the back of the card. These reusable slides can be used time and time again providing endless possibilities. Set includes, 12 plastic slides, 12 plastic cover slips and a storage case which can hold 25 slides. Recommended for ages 8+. 12/5/2007

Magnets & Compasses by PACIFIC SCIENCE SUPPLIES INC.

Demonstrate the magnetic field of the earth using this educational kit for the study of magnetism. Instructions given to maximize learning fun. Includes a pair of bar magnets, a “U” shaped magnet, and two compasses. Magnets are made of steel. Comes in bright, colorful PacSci packaging. 12/5/2007

Color in Motion by PACIFIC SCIENCE SUPPLIES INC.

The Color in Motion Kit explores vision persistence, color theory and optical illusion.  Kit contains: miniature motor, 8 discs, battery holder, tap key, and alligator connector cords.  Packaged in bright, colorful PacSci packaging.  12/5/2007