December 2009 New Specialty Toys — Kits

The Daisy Fold & Go goes with any Easy Daysies Magnetic Kit. It is a magnetic board that kids can take anywhere. Grandparents and babysitters can easily know a child's daily routine. It can be personalized with a dry erase marker. Users can place magnets down the middle or use the "To Do" and "Done" columns for a reward system. The back stores unused magnets.

This kit includes chemicals needed to grow a Rose Quartz crystal cluster of up to 4" in diameter. It comes with the Space Age Crystal Growing chemical, a stirring rod, a display pedestal and instructions. Within just a few hours of transferring the chemical to hot water, pouring the mixture into the vessel and letting it cool, crystals will begin to form and then continue growing for many days.

Designed to teach girls about cosmetic chemistry, this kit includes ingredients to make custom scents and indulge in a crystal mud treatment and a sea salt scrub. Girls can also buff and shine their nails for a finished look.
— Two of 40 retailers cited Scientific Explorer as a best-selling educational brand in fall 2009. The Curiosity Zone in Ashburn, Va., sells dozens of Scientific Explorer kits per month, Owner Mary Porter told TDmonthly.

This easy-to-use kit allows anyone to create professional-quality screen prints on paper, fabric, vinyl, plastic, leather and more. High-quality inks stay fresh on the screen for effortless multiple applications. Well-suited for production runs, these durable inks hold up to washing and dry cleaning on natural and synthetic fabrics and are water-soluble for easy clean up.

This complete, easy-to-use kit, demystifies the ancient art of indigo dyeing.  Indigo is a natural, plant-based dye traditionally used to create resist patterns on fabric by many cultures around the world. Today it continues to be popular for dyeing denim. The kit dyes more than 15 yards (5 lbs.) of fabric or 15 t-shirts. The reusable dye bath lasts for several weeks.

Illustrate an original book by combining gorgeous batik fabrics and fun ribbon, plus artist-quality paint and beads. With simple tips and lots of examples for inspiration, paint your favorite poem or story,  sew pockets onto a padded baby book, glue found objects onto a personal art journal or create anything else you can imagine!  Two bonus projects in every kit! Turn the box into a mailbox, birdhouse or special treasure box. The inner tray is perfect for framing your art. Ages 8 and up.

The perfect introduction to needle felting! Very satisfying and easy to do, simply poke colorful roving wool into the square canvas with a felting needle to paint four pictures of anything you can imagine! No glue or sewing required. Two bonus projects in every kit! Turn the box into a mailbox, birdhouse or special treasure box. The inner tray is perfect for framing your art. Ages 8 and up.

Embellish wooden pendants, beads and a bangle to create 6 gorgeous jewelry pieces. Decoupage is fun and easy! With simple tips and lots of examples for inspiration, simply cut and glue pieces of fancy tissue paper onto wooden elements. Finish with glaze and adorn with glass beads. Proudly wear your own fashions! Two bonus projects in every kit! Turn the box into a mailbox, birdhouse or special treasure box. The inner tray is perfect for framing your art. Ages 8 and up.

Decoupage is back! Cut and glue pieces of beautiful tissue paper to decorate 5 fun shapes for any occasion. Glaze and embellish with ribbon. Construct a mobile, fill a bowl for a centerpiece, decorate a gift or holiday tree! A terrific family project.

In this kit built around eco-friendly activities, kids get to shrink plastic, make a compost tube, make paper, decompose food, learn about reducing, reusing and recycling, and more.
— Jeanette Lauture, owner of Aunt Jean’s Toys & Treats in Montclair, N.J., told TDmonthly in August 2009 that her store sold 36 of the Magic School Bus series kits in one month.