Kids can use this kit to build a working wind turbine to harness power out of thin air. Wind is one of the most promising sources of clean, renewable energy available today. During the experiments, kids will learn the physics of force and motion as it applies to wind power technology. The kit includes a full-color, 32-page experiment manual that offers illustrated instructions for 20 experiments and scientific information. Kids will build a working wind turbine, harnes mechanical energy to lift weights and more.
— “I’m featuring science kits that teach kids about the environment or renewable energy, such as the Thames and Kosmos Wind Power and the Fuel Cell X7,” said Michelle Smith of Piccolo Mondo Toys in Portland, Ore., of this good seller in her store.

A simple introduction to the complex and fascinating world of magnetism, Dowling Magnets’ Assorted Magnet Box contains a variety of basic magnets in different shapes and colors, a shoelace, and a handbook with magnet information and fun facts. 
— “We have a huge homeschooling community, and kids are fascinated by magnets,” observed Jacque Flagg, owner of Jacques Inc. in Bryan, Texas, when discussing best-selling science products in August 2008.
— Of 64 retailers polled in Summer 2008, 4 percent listed magnets as their top-selling science item.

This Sea Monkeys kit comes with everything one needs to get started raising these living, swimming ”micro-crustaceans.” After treatment with the included water purifier, sprinkle the pouch of dormant Sea Monkey eggs into the tank, and watch the new pets appear and grow. It comes with a “growth guarantee.”
— “Another thing that sells really well is the Sea Monkeys. We sell a lot of those, and we had one of those on display,” Pat Cooley, owner of Cooleykatz Toys Livermore, Calif., told TDmonthly in August 2008 when discussing popular science and nature toys.
— “Kids still get so excited about those little kits,” said Janet Gregory, owner of Over the Rainbow Toys in Anchorage, Alaska. “A lot of adults seem to be drawn to them, too, because of the nostalgia factor.”
― As of 9.23.2010, this product had 4 out of 5 stars from 9 reviews on ToysRUs.com and was listed No. 10 in best-selling science and nature toys. PROS: Entertaining, educational, interactive and easy to use.

This kit imitates nature to grow crystals within one to two weeks — something that took our planet thousands of years. There other kits available with a broad selection of vibrant colors and intriguing shapes of crystals. An interesting project for kids and parents alike, the kit is designed to help kids learn about geography, gemology and chemical science while having fun with growing crystals and displaying the final piece. The experiment can be re-done with the alredy grown crystal and/or it could be enlarged with an extra kit. Launch date: June 6, 2008.
Display Ideas: Place at eye-height together with a pre-made display sample (free of charge).

This 40 page, full color book with all materials except common items & 1.5 volt battery contains 25 activities for children 6 to 12. Decode words and secret messages with mirror magic. Visit the incredible world of the invisible. Light wands, rainbow glasses, shadow capture paper, spinning and mixing colors, and molding lenses are FUN! Nurtures a love of science with carefully crafted projects that work.

This science book comes with materials included for 24 activities. Through rocketry and a classic set of favorite projects, Motion explores the central concepts of physics. This kit is packed with parts, including a beautiful, precision, brass colored balance scale to measure mass, a hover puck, a jet car that really zooms, the components to make your own spring meter, an accurate to 1/100 of a second stop watch to clock speed, velocity and acceleration and the tubes, stoppers and inflation needle to launch both water rockets and baking soda rockets. Each project has been refined, through years of testing and feedback, into age appropriate fun.

This Metamorphic Rock collection features a variety of colors and textures. Each of 10 rocks comes with an identification card that includes a photo and fun rock facts. Kids can try to identify each rock using the hand magnifier and information cards. For a hint, the name of each rock is beneath the foam padding. Launch date: March 2007.

Kids can discover some of Earth’s most magnificent rocks in this kit that features 15 large igneous rocks — both intrusive and extrusive types. Each rock comes with an identification card that includes a photo and fun rock facts, which can be used with the enclosed hand magnifier to identify the samples. Launch date: March 2007.

This kit includes a 40 page science book and enough contents to participate in 18 activities. All materials are included except for a D-cell battery. The kit has step-by-step, highly visual instructions and child appropriate materials designed for young children to work independently.
— John Blair, owner of Science Safari in Cary, N.C., told TDmonthly in a September 2011 survey that they sell 6-8 of these kits each month. "We really like them and we push them,” he said. 

An unassuming colored dome a little bit larger than an egg, the zOrb packs powerful magnification once plugged in by simple USB connection. This tiny microscope zooms the viewer in from 35 to 53x magnification depending on the size of the computer screen. Focus can be refined by twisting the top half of the zOrb one way or the other, and pictures can be easily captured for later use. Also takes video footage. Includes software on CD, two base adaptors, and instruction manual. USB cable attached.

Children can learn and demonstrate fascinating and educational experiments with amazing plants with this kit that covers phototropism, photosynthesis, photoperiodism and more. The Botanical Discoveries Kit demonstrates, for example, how humidity affects germination and growth rates of plants, and how plants react to touch and temperature changes. Students can compare moving plants, fast plants and water conservation plants. "This educational, experimental and fun science fair kit contains everything needed to conduct dozens of projects and experiments for a reasonable cost," PR Specialist Alicia Borley of Dunecraft told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008.

Silly Squares provide hours of silly, wiggly, jiggly, educational fun. Place Silly Squares in a cup or bowl of water and watch in amazement as they grow to epic proportions. Silly Squares will grow to hundreds of times their size. They are available in different colors. Kids can test their skill and try to stack them, build with them, and watch them slip away. Launch date: February 2008.

Developed with the help of entomologists, this product can identify more than 70 different insects. The Bug ID asks eight "yes" and "no" questions to help determine what bug has been found. A warning alerts the user when a bug is dangerous, and the product includes fun bug facts and trivia. Bug ID, which includes a field guide and a large magnifier, lets kids become experts on bugs. Launch date: 2007.

This habitat provides a lifelike environment and works great with frogs or insects. The large water area allows for healthy tadpole development. The capture core lets one easily transfer tadpoles into the habitat. The Backyard Safari Bug Vacuum (sold separately) can be used to safely capture and view insects in this two-in-one habitat. Launch date: 2007.

Kids can sprout sunflowers in the included terrarium and then plant them outside to enjoy. Sunflowers are very easy to sprout and can soar to amazing heights outdoors. This kit comes with a 3.25” four-color printed planter, a unique sprouting dome, germination medium and seeds. "Kids can now learn a bit of environmental science with products tied to some of Nickelodeon’s most popular properties," PR Specialist Alicia Borley of Dunecraft told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008.

Children can learn about some of the earth’s most beautiful rocks in this sedimentary rock collection. Each of 10 rocks comes with an identification card that includes a photo and fun rock facts. Kids can try to identify each rock using the hand magnifier and information cards. For a hint, the name of each rock is beneath the foam padding. "All of our rock and mineral kits are supported by our extensive website with free geology information, including special documents and downloads for each kit, articles on geology topics, puzzles, experiments and project ideas. We also encourage children to write in to our staff geologist with their questions, which are answered on our website," President Tracy Barnhart of Mini Me Geology told TDmonthly. Launch date: March 2007.

Kids can watch the leaves of this unusual moving plant quickly fold in as the branches bend down once its leaves are touched. This plant is easy to grow and presents lush green moving foliage within weeks. Sensitive plants will thrive in bright light if they are kept moist and in the terrarium.

The Butterfly Bush is the ultimate plant to attract butterflies, hummingbirds and all sorts of wildlife. This fast-growing plant will flower lilac and purple-colored flowers in its first year, attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. The fragrant flowers also have an orange “eye” that makes this plant attractive to all winged creatures. It is originally native to northwestern China and Japan. "It is a complete, educational, eye-catching kit that has a very low cost," PR Specialist Alicia Borley of Dunecraft told TDmonthly. Launch date: February 2008.

Zula Tool Kits are a fun way to extend and enhance students' learning. They can experiment with the natural magnetism of a Lode Stone with the Zula Compass, identify clouds with a Zula Weather Window, learn the physics of magnification with the Zula Monocular, and discover how shadows can help them tell the time-of-day using the Zula Sun Dial. "Zula Tool Kits are a fun and exciting way to explore real science," Kristen Mayfield, program manager at Carolina Biological Supply Company, told TDmonthly. Launch date: August 2008.

This follow-up to Paleo Sharks features a 390-million-year-old cockroach, a 320-million-year-old millipede, and many other ancient creepy crawlies. It offers "high-interest, educational info in an appealing, high-design format," Cathleen Brady, senior manager of children's publicity for Chronicle Books, told TDmonthly. Launch date: May 2008.

In this new series by award-winning author Sandra Markle, famous explorers take a backseat to the animals they encounter along the way. Through nimble writing and beautiful paintings, this series casts the past in a whole new light. "The author ... is an internationally known science education consultant," Cathleen Brady, senior manager of children's publicity for Chronicle Books, told TDmonthly. Launch date: July 2008.

Make 6 vibrant, multi-colored, high-bouncing balls! Just mix and layer the colors in 3 ball molds. Part of Copernicus Toys' growing new line DIY:Happy Activities.

Make over a 1/2 pound of your own bubble gum with this kit. Easy to follow directions will have you blowing bubbles in no time. A fun and tasty way to explore the science of food.

This Rootbeer Kit revives the traditional American activity of brewing old-fashioned root beer at home. Easy, fun, and educational, one can explore the science of CO2 produced as a by-product of yeast metabolism. This kit makes naturally-carbonated creamy root beer.

This 40-page science book and materials kit includes eight major activities that transform the study of central concepts of molecular biology into child's play. Kids can extract DNA from a fruit, probe and spool real DNA, build a double helix model, solve a chromosome puzzle (Is it a boy or a girl?) and play a gene construction game. A more advanced version is available for appropriate markets. Awards: TDmonthly Top Toy 2008. Launch date: 2008.

Where to Buy: Kazoo Toys