This is the Swiss Army Knife of metal detectors ... or is it the Transformer of radio-controlled vehicles? It’s two products in one. The ATV RTR Metal Detector Vehicle is a cool dune buggy kinda thing that races off all-terrain, guided by the whims of the kid controlling it. It also has a metal detector built in (good down to 10”) for finding coins, cans and buried treasure. Kids can take it to the beach and zoom around, and when it beeps, dig. A couple of plastic digging tools complete the set.

Let's meet OWI's new Mini Solar Robot and science kits. These frolicking fancies are easy to assemble and demonstrate alternative energy principles. They are simple and friendly, and will put a smile on any child 8 years and up. Happy Hopping Frog, Super Solar Racing Car, Frightened Grasshopper, Walking King Crab, and Attacking Inch Worm fit nicely into OWI's JR Science Series. Besides having jovial names, they have become our premiere entry level product. Because of their entry-level price points, retailers will grow fond of their movements; both off the shelf and after assembly. If a make-it-and-take-it type product is what you are looking for, these hands-on terrestrial tantalizers will make you the local hero. Our research team has found this product to be a distinct liking in educational programs such as after-school, summer and vacation programs. How about science workshops? You betcha! How about one-hour projects? Perfect! Let's show the kids how truly engaging science can be with OWI's new Mini Solar Robot and science kits. 

Ms. Frizzle and her students take Young Scientists on a wild ride into the human body with these breathtaking experiments. Young Scientists bend bones, make joints, map taste buds, expand lungs, build a stethoscope, measure lung capacities and heart rates, perform the iodine starch test, spin glitter, simulate synovial fluid, create a human body poster, and much, much more. This exciting kit includes a life-size poster with 8 sheets of body part stickers. “This is a true hands-on learning experience in that children make everything themselves. … They are also building a life-size human poster [that] will be a dazzling addition to any child's room,” President Esther Novis of The Young Scientists Club told TDmonthly. This product received the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval and an iParenting Media Award, as well as a 2007 Parents' Choice Recommended Award. Launch date: January 1, 2007.

Past videos: Toy Fair 2007

Ms. Frizzle and her students take Young Scientists on a wild ride into the mysteries of rainbows with these awesome experiments. Young Scientists wear rainbow glasses, design a rainbow spinner, blow rainbow bubbles, make rainbow milk, bend white light, mix colored paddles, bounce light waves off ceilings, recreate Newton’s prism experiment, and much, much more. This product received the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval and an iParenting Media Award.

Ms. Frizzle and her students take Young Scientists on a wild ride into the world of germs with these thrilling experiments. Young Scientists will grow bacteria and fungi, test antibiotics, make a fungus bubble, explore antibiotics, grow mold, wake up fungi, cultivate bacteria in yogurt, use yeast to inflate a balloon and much, much more. Seatbelts, everyone: Get ready to discover The World of Germs. This product received the National Parenting Center Seal of Approval and an iParenting Media Award, as well as a 2007 Parents' Choice Approved Award. Launch date: January 1, 2007.

These activity books provide a great way for families to learn about celestial objects, and then see them in real-time, where they can take pictures, print them out, and paste them in their books. They can also fill in information such as distance from the earth and sky conditions at the time of viewing. Each book contains 14 missions and has a telescope card sealed on the front cover.
— Slooh Explore Space Live is the “only product in the marketplace that teaches kids/adults about our universe and then provides the mechanism to go see these celestial objects live by accessing high-powered telescopes through a home computer,” commented Patrick Paolucci of Bluestorm. Launch date: February 2007.

The Young Scientist Series kits (new packaging for 2007) provide young scientists with hours of science experiments, learning and fun. The sets can be completed in order to experience the ultimate science adventure, or they can be done individually. Get young scientists hooked and they will come back for more. This product has received the following awards: Dr. Toy Best 100 products, The National Parenting Center Seal of Approval, Learning Research Institute Outstanding Resource Award, National Parenting Publications Honors Award, Learning Magazine 2004 Teachers’ Choice Award, and Practical Homeschooling Reader Award.
— When asked about best-selling science and nature toys in his store, Wayne Kneeland, owner of Toy Shop in Bristol, R.I., replied, "I would say the Young Scientists Club, including various kits such as Zany Crystals and Volcano Madness. They are some pretty interesting kits."
— Kneeland told TDmonthly in summer 2007 that he sells about 12 Young Scientists Club kits a month.
— "The multiple-award-winning Young Scientists Series is unique in that each set contains three complete science kits, including three manuals and three supply bags, that will provide ‘Young Scientists' with hours of science experiments, learning and fun," said Esther Novis, president of The Young Scientists Club.

This series of fun and exciting science kits is based on the popular Magic School Bus book series by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen. Ms Frizzle and her students make science an exhilarating experience in "The World of Germs," "The Mysteries of Rainbows" and "A Journey into the Human Body." The series has received the following awards: Spring 2007 National Parenting Center Seal of Approval; 2007 Toy of the Year Award from Creative Child Magazine; 2007 Father's Day Seal of Approval from Mr. Dad; eChoice Award, 2007 Seal of Approval and Award of Excellence from The Toy Man; and two 2007 Parents' Choice Foundation Recommended Awards.

The Great Explorations division continues to illuminate the galaxy coinciding with the renewed interest in planets and space. The newly updated 3-D Solar System and 3-D Planets in a Tube both capture the “new” solar system after astronomers redefined the planets in 2006.
— “The new Glow-in-the-Dark 3-D Solar System is innovative because it is the first product to capture the newly updated solar system with eight planets and three dwarf planets,” Matthew Crovitz of University Games told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2007.

This realistic flying bat flaps its wings to soar and swoop through the sky. The creature of the night flies using a unique power drive winder and internal torsion system that provides satisfying flying time. It includes a cool stand for display. Launch date: Q4 2007.

Solar Robots use real solar cells to power themselves. Using only the power they harness from the sun, these robots can walk around. Solar Robots are available in two styles and are for outdoor use only.  Launch date: Spring 2007.

Children can create their own self-sufficient world and global greenhouse with this product. They can explore closed and open biological systems, learn how life, atmosphere, water and geology are linked in a cycle powered by the sun, grow plants in microhabitats, track temperature changes, create rainstorms and more. ToyOps distributes this toy. This product appeared on Dr. Toy's Spring 2007 Best Products List.
— “There has never been a true Eco System developed for the toy industry, and in today’s changing world of global warming and greenhouse gas emissions, we look forward to helping children under[stand] this and how their precious resources can be secured for the future,” Dennis Callaghan of TreeToys Corp. told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2007.

This complete garden kit in a can only requires water. Kids can then grow one of more than 125 different gardens, from a dinosaur garden to a rainforest garden to 4-leaf clovers. Launch date: May 1, 2007.
— “Very few kids have ever gardened before, and they are fast forgetting about a fun and healthy pastime,” Robert Piller of Gifts that Bloom told TDmonthly. “One thing that stands out from any competitor is the wide assortment of garden kits, including a banana plant, giant sunflower garden, dinosaur tree…and many others.”

Space Sand is the sand that never gets wet! Create underwater sculptures and formations and watch in wonderment as the sand is completely dry when removed from the water. Space Sand, used in NASA Explorations classroom experiments, is the closest thing to sand from Mars. Space Sand is available in six colors!

Grow the fastest-acting plant on the planet! It is the everlasting evergreen that keeps coming back to life! The Resurrection Plant will transform from a dormant brown ball into a lush fern in a matter of hours! This plant can remain in its dormant stage for up to 50 years without water! The Resurrection Plant is the eternal symbol of hope and rebirth. This kit is all-inclusive and also contains a clear bowl, New Mexico lava rocks, and informative history and growing information.

Now you can grow your own Asparagus Ferns from seed with this brand new micro-terrarium! Asparagus Ferns are known for their beautiful foliage. In fact, the tall feathery top of this plant is used to make garlands for brides! Asparagus Ferns are easy to grow, thrive in low light, and will last for years! This fern will also bloom white and pink flowers sporadically! Asparagus Ferns germinate readily from seed and make terrific houseplants!

Grow your own Lobelia flowers from seed with this unique, new micro-terrarium! Lobelia, also known as the Cardinal Flower, has trailing foliage that grows about 5 inches high and produces beautiful, deep blue flowers. This plant is easy to grow and is believed to attract fairies as well as hummingbirds!

Capture the mystique and beauty of the rainforest right on your desk or table with the tropical China Doll plant. This fast-growing plant features small, shiny, intricately patterned leaves that create a soft, delicate, distinctive look. The Rainforest Rock Garden comes complete with a state of the art rock planter, a contoured sprouting dome, deluxe planting mixture, moss ground cover, china doll seeds and more! This tropical rock garden grows easily indoors, and will reach heights of three to five feet!

Grow one of the most useful and indispensable plants in the world in this brand new handcrafted rock planter! Aloe is known to soothe and heal skin, and is also used to treat cuts, scrapes and burns. It is also one of the only houseplants that releases oxygen at night and removes carbon dioxide in the air. This exciting rock garden is all-inclusive and contains a unique rock planter, a contoured sprouting dome, aloe seeds, natural gravel cover, an informative instructions and care manual, and more!

This multipack is a combination of three fantastic Timberslot Technokits. Kids can build twin racers with the unique synchronized starting system, a trip wire intruder alarm and also a buzz wire game that tests nerves.

Each 3-½" plastic beaker oozes with mysterious color swirls of green, blue, purple, yellow and pink. The product features a “unique blend of distinctive colors and texture,” Debra Ashley of Toysmith told TDmonthly.
— Owner Fred Rosenberg of On the Park in Kingwood, Texas, said in spring 2007 that inexpensive impulse items from Toysmith are best sellers in his store’s “birthday” category.

Body Works has all the ingredients required to concoct slimy brains and other yucky stuff, including fingers, eyes, brains, cuts, blood and eyeballs. It allows kids to expose plaque on their teeth, test for saliva digestion, and make an ear wax detector. Children will learn that blisters protect the skin and snot helps keep germs out of the body.

Kids can grow their own crystals with this kit that includes crystal formula, base rock, a growing tray, a magnifying glass, a spatula and easy-to-follow instructions. Rose Pink, Jade Green, Topaz Yellow, Amethyst Purple and White Diamond kits are also available. “Quality materials deliver excellent results,” Debra Ashley of Toysmith told TDmonthly.

Through building 36 models and conducting subsequent experiments, kids will learn the fundamental laws of mechanical physics. This hands-on approach is both fun and effective because the principles of physics are demonstrated right in front of children. Projects include building a windmill, making a hammer machine, and experimenting with pulleys and gears. It comes with a 64-page manual.

Children can get an up-close view of 12 animals and eight space-age phenomena as they hear cool facts or take a fun quiz. The detachable telescope features 3x magnification, automatic shut-off, and two game modes: Facts and Quizspeak. It is designed to develop listening comprehension skills and teach children important scientific concepts. “Children are learning about planets and animals with incredibly beautiful pictures….They can learn interesting facts, then take off the optical piece and use it as a real telescope," Kati Elliott of KEH Communications told TDmonthly.