May 2010 Notable Toys — Science & Nature

The 4D Vision Human Head Model from Tedco Inc. consists of 14 detachable parts in a transparent cutaway design that shows the inner details of the human head. The anatomy model comes with a display platform and illustrated guidebook. Launch date: 2010.
4D Human Head Anatomy Model features:
    * Human Head Model Toy with New Puzzle Concept
    * Up to Medical Educational Quality
    * Fine Detailed Sculpturing with hand painted parts
    * Product Size: 11.44 cm Tall

This ant habitat lets kids see all the inner workings of an ant colony. The Antosphere allows for children to connect and customize their own anti-gravity ant colony at home. The package contains eight pods, three bases and 18 supports.

With more than 60 activities, this set can serve as a great introduction to the wonders of science. It allows kids to set up their own science lab and investigate activities in chemistry, physics, biology, geology, weather, magnets and electricity. Activities include Insta-Snow , the Geyser Tube (Mentos and diet soda geyser), Water Gel, Gravity Goo, Windbags, Twister Tube and more.  "We have billed it as “the best of Be Amazing!” since it contains many of our signature science activities," Renee Whitney, president of Be Amazing Toys, told TDmonthly. Launch date: June 2010.

Designed as a realistic replica of the Eastern Diamondback rattlesnake, this serpent's moves can be dictated by the remote. It flicks its tongue and rattles its tail while on the move. The product requires 4 AA and a 9V battery (not included).
Awards: Creative Child Magazine Toy of the Year 2010

This 4D educational biology series includes kits on human anatomy, cell and plant biology, and animal figures complete with anatomical guide. Tedco's 4D Vision Anatomy Kits expand to include cross-section models of Sea Life and Mammals. Launch date: 2010.

This telescope was designed with traveling in mind while offering great value. The Travel Scope is made of high quality materials to ensure stability and durability. The telescope comes pre-assembled with a full-size aluminum tripod and a custom backpack for easy traveling and storage. Featuring a compact and portable design with ample optical performance, the Travel Scope is great for terrestrial as well as casual astronomical observation. Launch date: 2010.

These 2” ceramic planters are filled with rye grass seeds and a growing medium. Kids can pose them on a stand, water them, and watch them grow. Their grass hair can then be trimmed into various styles. Choices include a duck, pig and frog.
— These little planter sets were popular in spring 2010 at My Club Tabby in Lake Charles, La., according to Owner Natalie Comeaux. Customers were looking forward to the arrival of spring, and the items had been selling well for over a month in March.

This root growing kit can be fun for the whole family. It allows growers to observe the process from planting to harvest. The kit includes a wooden stand, three plastic root toobers, a growing medium, and enough seeds for several plantings of radishes, carrots and green onions. Instructions are also included.
— These garden root viewers were listed as a top-10 best seller at My Club Tabby in Lake Charles, La., by owner Natalie Comeaux in spring 2010. They had been selling well for over a month in March.

Mesh walls allow for close-up viewing of butterflies and insects. A sliding plastic door makes catching and releasing easy while avoiding pinched fingers, and a carrying handle makes it portable.
— With warmer weather approaching, these backyard exploration critter cases were on the top-10 best-seller list at My Club Tabby in Lake Charles, La., in spring of 2010. Owner Natalie Comeaux reported in March that the kits had been selling well for more than a month.
— June Hargrove, co-owner of Black Forest Books & Toys in Charlotte, N.C., told TDmonthly that they sell 24-30 of Toysmith's Critter collection each month.

Young bird watchers can get in on the fun with this kit for building and painting a birdhouse. No hardware is required, and the kit includes everything needed to create and paint a 5.5” x 7” x 7” birdhouse.
— With the eagerly anticipated arrival of spring around the corner, birdhouse kids were popular items at My Club Tabby in Lake Charles, La., in March 2010. Owner Natalie Comeaux reported that they had been selling well for over a month.

This kit comes in various colors and includes a pair of jersey knit garden gloves, a trowel, a rake, a shovel and a metal watering can.
— Spring items were very popular in March 2010 at My Club Tabby in Lake Charles, La. Owner Natalie Comeaux reported that the kids watering can kit had been selling well for over a month.

Toysmith’s Paint a pot craft garden comes with everything a kid needs to grow a mini flower garden. Children can paint their own design on the pot, plant the seeds, and watch them grow. The set includes marigold seed mix, organic soil, six acrylic paints, two paintbrushes, a terra cotta planter, planting instructions, and a booklet with ideas for decorating.
— At My Club Tabby in Lake Charles, La., Owner Natalie Comeaux reported in March 2010 that spring items such as the Paint a Pot Craft Garden had been selling well for over a month since everyone was anticipating warmer weather.

The Bubbleizer lights up bubbles as they stream out and float in the air. The light show lights the bubbles and entertains you at the same time, making bubbles look great both in the light and in the dark. Requires a bottle of bubble solution and three AA batteries, all included. Launch date: 2010.

In Dinotrux, writer and illustrator Chris Gall tells the story of ancient times when ferocious half-dinosaur, half-truck creatures known as Dinotrux roamed the earth. Pushing and crushing, mixing and roaring, the Dinotrux are illustrated in monstrous detail through 32 pages.

— Travis Jonker of 100 Scope Notes found the book irresistible, explaining, “The premise that hybrid dinosaur/trucks used to rule the earth ignites curiosity, while the brief, expressive text all but demands repeat reading.”
— Elizabeth Bird from the School Library Journal absolutely loved the book. She found it to reflect a cheekiness and creativity that appeals to both kids and parents.
— Common Sense Media’s Patricia Tauzer said Dinotrux “will thrill any kid who loves trucks and dinosaurs.” She described the book as being “jam-packed with action” but cautioned that it is not educational; in fact, the Flintstones-style anachronisms may leave kids confused.

Creative fun and science mingle in this new kit from the WILD! Science series for girls. Kids can explore the science of beauty with a creative and adventurous edge while learning how cosmetics are created. All the tools required to make your own beauty products are included. Launch date: 2010.

The Curse of Pirate Island is designed to encourage young adventurers to dig up buried treasure. Will they find jewels? Gold? Something else? Variations in buried items and creepy surprises will keep young treasure hunters coming back for more. The Excavation Set features a sand-based island with buried treasure box. Children dig using a stainless steel hammer and chisel to uncover treasure. The excavation glasses add to the "archeological experience." "Most of our competitors use plaster digging blocks. Plaster is extremely messy and gets everywhere! Our Sandblocks are made of a course sand that is dust free and easy to clean up," Andrew Tober, Director of Creative Development, BSW Toy Inc., told TDmonthly.

The Easter Grass-kit offers an eco-friendly, all-natural alternative to wasteful plastic grass. It's designed as a fun and educational activity for parent and child to enjoy together in anticipation of the holiday. Each kit contains enough materials for two medium baskets of real grass. Recommended growth time is seven to 10 days. Launch date: March 5, 2010.

This Emperor Penguin chick moves according to the shake of the egg, which functions as a remote control. The user simply shakes the egg up, down, left or right to make the penguin move forward, backward or to either side. It requires four AG13 batteries (included). Launch date: June 2010.

Discover the Stirling engine, a simple, clean and efficient energy technology that is quickly becoming a viable source of electricity as the availability of fossil fuels declines. The Stirling engine in this kit uses renewable energy from the sun to drive a generator, which charges a rechargeable battery to power an electric car. Named after its inventor, Robert Stirling, the original Stirling engine dates back almost 200 years. Today, high-tech Stirling engines are being used in arrays of giant mirrored solar collectors and common applications like compact generators.
— "This set will be shipping in the fall and, like all of Thames & Kosmos products, is a wonderful scientific learning tool," Joe Mitchell, owner of YoYo Joe's Toys & Fun, told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010.

Animal Tracks is three traditional games in one, with a science twist - match the animals to their tracks while playing concentration, bingo, and guess the tracks games. This unique game is engaging, fun, and educational as players match cards of photographed animals to their tracks. The game comes with 80 high quality and colorful cards, a plastic storage tray, and detailed instructions for three games. Launch date: Spring 2010

This kit teaches Young Scientists about animal tracking through exciting hands-on science experiments and activities. Identify animal tracks, learn about the animals that make the tracks, cast animal tracks, play the tracking game, create animal track prints, design an animal track poster, and explore real animal tracks in nature. Includes eight realistic animal footprint molds, large colorful poster, and eighty animal game cards. Launch date: Spring 2010

On this latest Magic School Bus ride, Ms. Frizzle and her students take Young Scientists back in time with the dinosaurs through these marvelous experiments. Young Scientists create a timeline, design a diorama, build a wooden dinosaur replica, make cast and mold fossils, mold clay dinosaur teeth, simulate a dino dig, fold 3D dinosaurs, and much, much more.

In this new addition to the Magic School Bus Series, Ms. Frizzle and her students take Young Scientists on a wild ride with solar energy to the rescue.  Young Scientists explore the greenhouse effect, collect real carbon dioxide, recreate global warming in a bottle, use a solar panel to spin a fan, make a solar secret code, design solar spinners, watch solar energy inflate balloons, and much, much more. Awards: Parent's Choice Award 2010

Experience the strangest that the world of plants has to offer. In this collection, you will find plants that move, plants that grow eyeballs on top of their foliage, plants that grow flowers that look like brains, and plants that eat flies and small insects. All these plants are easy to grow and quick to show their freaky side. Safe for ages 4 and up.
— "I thought this product was great and placed an order for it at the show, " Jeanette Lauture, owner of Aunt Jean's Toys & Treats, told TDmonthly at Toy Fair 2010.