The 150 piece set of Playstix allows kids to build a wide variety of models right out of the box, without the need for any additional or specialized parts. An Idea Booklet illustrates fun things to build, from a simple table and chairs to a two-story cabin. Each Playstix piece has grooves that interlock when one Playstix piece is placed across another. The different length Playstix pieces are color-coded, so it’s easy to see how each model is built.
HEXACUS is an exploration in creativity and fun for the entire family. Just sort by size and color, then stack, nest, and balance to create a wide variety of patterns and shapes. Our Idea Booklet shows over 100 examples of easy to challenging patterns and shapes to build. Ages: 2+ CONTENTS: 12 Hexagonal Pieces – 3 Red, 3 Orange, 2 Yellow, 2 Green, 1 Light Blue, 1 Dark Blue, Idea Booklet. "Due to it's unique and geometrically accurate shape, children are able to nest and stack HEXACUS pieces in a wide variety of ways using horizontal, vertical and diagonal planes," Jason Cheung, general manager of Huntar Company, Inc., told TDmonthly. Launch date: 2012.
The Sidekick is a puzzle and game companion designed for people on the go, whether traveling by car, hiking, or camping. Everything needed to play 15 games and solve 10 puzzles fits neatly into a compact case with a different puzzle and game board printed on each side. It features a nylon strap to attach it to the top of one's leg if a flat surface is unavailable. Product dimensions: 5.375" H x 4.25" W x 1.125" D
Outta Gas! is a new type of slide puzzle: It's three-dimensional, has incredible detail, and features a special flip-up building that covers the traditional open space. The end result is a complete miniature gas station with vintage cars, gas pumps, office, and a service bay with a floor lift, workbenches, and oil drums inside. After you've arranged the cars and pumps to solve the twelve challenges on the back of the puzzle, you can make up your own and challenge your family and friends!
This brainteaser puzzle includes 50 "mind-splashing" challenges set to the scene of a pool party. The goal is to move the puzzle pieces around in such a way that the boy on the red inner tube ends up next to the steps in the lower right corner of the pool. It comes with the swimming pool, 14 puzzle pieces, a storage bag and a challenge booklet with instructions and solutions.
When ten little hedgehogs are surprised by some bad-news badgers, they have to roll together to reach the low spot in the hedge where mama hedgehog is waiting. Players help the spiny guys escape by rolling them safely past the badgers. There is only one way all ten can clear the hedge in a single roll. 50 different setups challenge players to foil the badgers.
First just turn the eight magnetic puzzle wheels left and right to mix up the picture. Then reverse the process until all images are complete. Too easy? Now separate the wheels, mix them up and try again. Hidden magnets keep the wheels together while you try to solve the puzzle, making it ideal for travel.
To play, a child selects one of five colorful, two-sided match cards and place it in the tray. Then, he places the magic monkey in the center on the left side of the card and points his banana to the picture, letter, shape, or color he wants to try and match. Then, he selects the image on the right side of the card that best matches his selection. To see if he's correct, he'll place the monkey in the center on the right side of the card and let go. He will mysteriously spin and point to the correct match. "This little monkey's actions will even amaze adults and he does it all without batteries," Jason Cheung, general manager of Huntar Company, told TDmonthly. This product received a 2009 Parents' Choice Silver Honor Award. Launch date: 2009.
Just about everyone loves the BUMPER CAR ride. It's the next thing to driving a real car and the only time you can legally bump into someone. MAGNETIC BUMPER CARS is a brainteaser puzzle that is almost as much fun as the real thing. The challenge is to position the nine bumper cars on the track so they don't bump into one another or the surrounding wall. Of course these miniature drivers have something else on their minds, as powerful hidden magnets in the cars and track walls cause all sorts of collisions as you maneuver your way through 12 brain-bumping challenges!
Players act as a river guide, attempting to fit ten kayaks on the river. All kayaks must fit safely in the water without any kayak pushing another out of position or crashing into surrounding rocks. Currents are tricky, and kayaks and rock walls contain powerful magnets, testing the abilities of even the best river guide. Launch date: 2008.
Campers in this puzzle game first locate the big tent piece — with the visiting bear — on the campground base as indicated by the challenge card, then simply fill in the remaining pieces. When each challenge is solved, the campground will become full, with no empty spaces. Camping tips (hints) for each challenge is included. Launch date: 2008.
In this hiking trail game, players remove the pieces from the Hoodoo Mesa Puzzle Tray, and then put them back in a continuous loop trail with no dead ends allowed. It sounds easier said that done. Launch date: 2008.
Mag-Blocks stimulates both imagination and creativity while promoting basic logical thought. Each Mag-Blocks cube is made up of 24 large, easy-to-handle, colorful pyramids. Held together by magnets, they fit together only when the magnets are properly aligned. Children will first have to understand how the blocks fit together in order to build with Mag-Blocks. Twenty challenge cards are included with suggested designs, but the real fun begins when individuals start creating their own. This product received a Spring 2007 Parent’s Choice Gold Award.
Kids can now build their own vehicles with Build-a-Car. They'll feel like junior mechanics as they mix and match eleven magnetic pieces to build a coupe, sedan, pickup, crew cab, sport SUV, or full sized SUV. If they want to change something or to build a truck instead of a car, it's no problem: the hidden magnetic locking system allows pieces to snap together and be taken apart again and again.
This toy lets the monkey do the math. Kids hang up a bunch of bananas in one of the monkey’s hands, then balance the monkey by adding the correct number of banana bunches to his other hand. The scale will not move until the monkey has an equal number of bananas in both hands. Once the problem has been solved, the monkey straightens up and uncrosses his eyes. The monkey is 7” tall; his 15 perfectly balanced banana bunches range from 2-1/2” to 3” tall. The bananas can also be played with separately to reinforce counting. Huntar expects this to be one of its best sellers for 2006, said Jason Cheung, the company’s sales manager.
Kids can design their own electric circuits that really work with this electricity kit. Each kit includes a battery power source, connecters and electrical indicators, such as light bulbs, a speaker and a fan. The kits also come with an activity booklet that guides kids through the creation of simple circuits to the completion of more complex designs. Once they’ve mastered these, they can begin creating their own electric circuits. “This was so easy to put together that even my 6 year old could follow all of the diagrams,” said Susan Ledford, who homeschools her daughter and son. “This kit demystified electricity for my girls,” added Julie Petoia, another homeschooling mom.
The most inclusive kit offered by The Huntar Company, this combination pack contains a hand crank, battery pack, fan, speaker, connectors, lights, as well as powered and un-powered magnets. Kids can see how north and south poles of a magnet work, how proper electrical connections are made, and even how power can be generated without the use of batteries.
