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

Space by SKULLDUGGERY

Space is an exciting and creative look at the very successful quest of space exploration. Learn about the rapid progression and expansion of the space program as you cast and paint an orbiter of a space shuttle, a Saturn V rocket and a command, service, and lunar spacecraft. Blopens are included for a custom paint job. Glue and magnets are provided to display your creations. 5/9/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Elephant by SKULLDUGGERY

The Skullduggery Eyewitness Kit, ELEPHANT is a fascinating, educational and creative introduction to the world of Elephants. Learn fascinating facts about Elephants and Africa. Read about how Elephants survive in the wild. Learn about and create models of a male, female and baby from the illustrated educational booklet included with your kit. Glue and magnets are provided to display your creations. 5/9/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Candy Factory by THAMES & KOSMOS

Willy Wonka. Milton Hershey. Forrest Mars. John Cadbury. Factual or fictional, the great names in the history of candy making all share one thing: they were experimenters and innovators. Now you can experiment with the art of making candy, and learn the science behind how it forms and why it tastes so good. Inside this giant chocolate bar-shaped box is a scientific candy wonderland including the special tools and recipes you need to make candy. Use the plastic and metal molds, shape cutters, candy thermometer, spatula, dipping fork and various other tools to form and coat your candies. Finish them with foils, paper cups, sticks and wrappers. The 48-page illustrated book provides instructions, recipes and scientific explanations. This kit does not contain any food items. Ingredients must be purchased separately, giving you control over the ingredients you use. 5/4/2006 (Price: $39.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Elements of Science by THAMES & KOSMOS

Investigate the most important phenomena in biology, chemistry, and physics by conducting more than 100 fun experiments. A broad, yet elaborate introduction to the physical and natural sciences, this kit is intended to expose children to the full spectrum of science and show first-hand how these three core disciplines interrelate. The full-color, 112-page book guides your experiments and discoveries. 5/4/2006 (Price: $74.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Physics Solar Workshop by THAMES & KOSMOS

Physics Solar Workshop explores the topic of solar energy, focusing on photovoltaic cells. By building 12 models and conducting 30 experiments, you will learn how solar cells transform light into electrical energy, and how motors and mechanical devices can optimize the work done by this energy. You will build different types of vehicles and machines to demonstrate how gears can convert and transform power for different needs. There are 320 parts, which are also compatible with the other physics kits. The 64-page book offers illustrated instructions for the projects. This kit was developed with Greenpeace in Germany.
— This kit offers experimentation “with different mechanisms that allow you optimize the use of the solar power depending on specific applications. For example, you build vehicles with different gear ratios….In this way, it teaches kids how solar power can be harnessed and transformed for use in the real world,” president Ted McGuire of Thames & Kosmos told TDmonthly. 5/4/2006 (Price: $59.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Physics Discovery by THAMES & KOSMOS

With Physics Discovery, you can build 12 models and then conduct experiments with the models to learn about forces and simple machines. Each model demonstrates a fundamental idea in mechanical physics. For example, you can build a balance scale to learn about lever arms, a freight elevator to learn about pulleys, a bicycle to learn about wheels, a motion picture machine to learn about centripetal and centrifugal forces, and a transmission to learn about gears. Physics Discovery is a smaller, introductory companion to our best-selling Physics Workshop kit. It has different building projects and experiments, but parts that are compatible with those in Physics Workshop and Physics Solar Workshop. This kit includes more than 100 building pieces. The 32-page book offers illustrated instructions for building projects and experiments. 5/4/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Shadow Magic Light Blaster/Glow Screen by UNCLE MILTON INDUSTRIES INC.

With a flash of light, kids' shadows are “caught” on a glowing screen — that’s the magic of Shadow Magic. The Shadow Magic Light Blaster emits a high-intensity flash of strobe light manually or automatically. The 23" by 28" sheet of vinyl has one side coated with a special photoluminescent material. This material captures the shadow of an object as it's exposed to the flash of light, hence the term glow-in-the-dark. The built-in penlight on the light blaster allows kids to "draw" on the glow screen. A door clip and string lets kids hang the screen on a door. 5/2/2006 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Electronic T-Rex Battle by UNCLE MILTON INDUSTRIES INC.

It's T-Rex versus T-Rex in an action packed battle royale. Just grab a T-Rex by the tail and control its moves. Attack or dodge your opponent as built-in sensors in the neck and head record hits. First one to get their opponent from 9 down to 0, wins. Automatic electronic scoring and awesome sound effects add to the prehistoric fun. 5/1/2006 (Price: $26.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pet Tornado by TEDCO INC.

Nature’s most destructive force can be observed and enjoyed. Shake the tornado clockwise and watch the funnel form. F1-F5 Fujita scale information included. 4/26/2006 (Price: $5.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Ein-O Smart Box Watery Science by TEDCO INC.

Kids can perform 4 weird watery experiments titled Waterproof Sand, Thirsty Diaper, Thirsty Cup and Hydro Grow Creatures. The kit includes Professor Ein-O’s I Know Guide as well as all necessary supplies. 4/25/2006 (Price: $11.00) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

AntWorks Sculpture by FASCINATIONS

Meet Anty Warhol! After the ants have tunneled through the Fascinations AntWorks Gel, the patterns they leave behind can be preserved with this special kit. Kids can collect these insect creations to become connisseurs of underground art. This product's prototype debuted at the American International Toy Fair 2006, but won't be in production until Summer 2006. Image to come. 4/21/2006 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Levitron Top Secret by FASCINATIONS

A Kinetic Mystery! Can your brain explain what your senses experience? More than a mystery... it's an exercise in knowledge! Spin this unique top on its base and watch it continue for hours, sometimes days without stopping... ( Watch Video) 4/21/2006 (Price: $9.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Cherry Wood Levitron® by FASCINATIONS

The classiest Levitron® yet! New high-tech design. Adjustable legs for easy leveling with the most powerful rare earth magnets available! The distinctive base design amazes onlookers as the high-flying top levitates mysteriously above the opening in the center. ( Watch Video) 4/21/2006 (Price: $39.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Thomas and Friends Aquarium Cars by LEARNING CURVE

Two train cars filled with nontoxic liquid are included in this set. One car contains an octopus, the other a shark.
— Heather Downs, manager of The Toy Shop in Bethel, Maine, said Thomas train accessories sell well.
— The wooden trains in this set sell well for Cheeky Monkey Toys in Menlo Park, Calif., according to manager Amanda Scadina.
— Kristit Largoza, operations manager for Thomas’ Trackside Station in Strasburg, Penn., said that these cars in particular “are selling wonderfully.” 4/12/2006 (Price: $20.00)

SpongeBob SquarePants Bikini Bottom Aquarium Set by HAPPY DOG TOYS

This 2.8 gallon tank with a bright orange lid includes everything needed to start an aquarium: bubble wall aeration and filter system, pump, tubing, gravel. It even includes a SpongeBob figure and background taken from the cartoon to amuse the fish. Fish are not included. 4/12/2006 (Price: $49.99)

Amazing Live Sea-Monkeys: Sunken Treasure by EDUCATIONAL INSIGHTS INC.

This kit includes dormant sea-monkey eggs that can be grown in a tank that includes a glow-in-the-dark sunken galleon for sea monkeys to swim around (they are attracted to light). This new hybrid of sea monkey changes colors from yellow to orange to red. The kit includes water purifier, food, illustrated handbook and more. 4/12/2006 (Price: $19.95) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Aquasaurs: Prehistoric Pet Habitat by UNCLE MILTON INDUSTRIES INC.

Just add water and the aquasaur eggs will hatch and thrive in an environment filled with prehistoric touches, such as underwater volcanoes. 4/12/2006 (Price: $24.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Fish in Space Aquarium by UNCLE MILTON INDUSTRIES INC.

This 10.8” by 6” by 7.8” holds three quarters of a gallon of water. Its small size makes it perfect for a beta fish or goldfish for the beginning aquarium owner. The aquarium is decorated by 3-D planets and rockets in an outer space scene for the fish to swim in. Fish are not included. 4/12/2006 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Underseas Encounter Aquarium with Underwater Viewing Scope by UNCLE MILTON INDUSTRIES INC.

This 12.5” by 7” by 13.5” aquarium also contains a viewing scope that allows kids to peer into the aquarium for a close-up view of the fish and the world they live in. Fish are not included. 4/12/2006 (Price: $19.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Wooden Leaf Press Kit by CORPS OF RE-DISCOVERY

Children and adults alike will be proud to capture blooms at their best and show off their collection of leaves and flowers pressed with this Wooden Leaf Press Kit. The leaf press is ideal for the nature enthusiast as well as the backyard gardener. The kit includes parts to make the wooden frame, enough blotter paper for a season of collecting, and detailed assembly and use instructions plus other materials needed for a 6” by 6” leaf press. “This kit helped make our botany lesson really come to life,” says Sheila Stern, homeschooling mother of four. “The kids took great pride in growing their plants and choosing the best ones to press. The quality of the Corps of Re-Discovery's Leaf Press will ensure it is still around — and in use — when my younger children reach middle school.” 3/30/2006 (Price: $7.50) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Water Splash by THE YOUNG SCIENTISTS CLUB

Young Scientists perform amazing water tricks, construct a submarine, build water towers on pennies, learn about siphon science, make pepper jump, mold boats out of clay, create rain in a sponge and use water drops as a magnifier. This kit is a “splash” in the sink or tub and will delight Young Scientists with hours of water fun. 3/30/2006 (Price: $14.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

The Shockwave by DAMERT COMPANY

These medium-sized round magnets are strong enough to stick together through a table (one on top and one on bottom). They sell well for Matt Hannifin, manager at Science Toy Magic LLC in Santa Fe, N.M. 3/29/2006 [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Grow Your Own Brain by DUNECRAFT INC.

These unusual plants will grow colorful flowers that actually look like brains! In Victorian times, Brain Plants represented silliness, humor, and warmth. The Brain Plants prefer to be watered with warm water and will begin to form little brains in as little as two months. 3/9/2006 (Price: $4.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Pitcher Plant Predators by DUNECRAFT INC.

Grow meat-eating plants from seed. The colorful veins and scented nectar of the pitcher plant lead crawling insects up the outside of the tube. When the bug lands on the tube-like leaves, the insects lose their traction and they fall, becoming trapped at the bottom. 3/9/2006 (Price: $4.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]

Good Luck Egg by DUNECRAFT INC.

Grow your own good luck! These shamrocks will start sprouting in as little as five days and will last for years. They are small enough to fit on any windowsill and can last for weeks without water in the included egg terrarium. These lucky, fast-growing, and fun little plants are the very same ones that originally grew in Ireland. 3/9/2006 (Price: $4.99) [Add to my Inquiry Basket][?]