|  Forces
Of Nature: Science Toys are Fun2
By Karen Mendez Smith
May 1, 2003
Kyp
Henn Sales’ Solar Science Lab
Thames
and Kosmos’ Powerhouse |
The
world of science toys offers kids a mind-boggling array of mysteries
without having to plumb the depths of the library or the laboratory.
Sun-sational
Thrill seekers of all ages will find out just what it takes to survive
on a desert island with Thames and Kosmos’ Powerhouse:
Alternative Energy Model House Kit ($150.00). Thirty experiments
allow young scientists to try everything from desalinizing water
or cooking in a solar oven to exploring energy from the sun, wind
and plants. Also powered by the sun is Kyp
Henn Sales’ Solar Science Lab ($29.98) with a
solar-powered motor, radiometer, color-changing beads and, just
for fun, nature print photo paper.
Orion Electronic Imaging Eyepieces |
Star
Quality
Scouting the skies could easily become an obsession with professional
Cassegrain, Dobsonian, Reflector, Refractor, sporting scopes and
binoculars from Orion
Telescopes and Binoculars. Especially useful to budding
astronomers is the Electronic Imaging Eyepiece
(color - $119, B&W - $64.95), which allows kids to display their
scope’s images on a television screen.
On
Safari
For kids whose interests lie a little closer to home, hands-on museum-quality
nature toys, animal replicas, and science kits from Safari,
Limited offer an abundance of exploration with their
insect, dinosaur and sea life collections. We like the glass Fingerboiler
Pen ($2.50), which “boils” from the heat of
your grip and the Tiny Tornado ($4.50), which creates
a real tornado cloud with just a twist of the wrist. Both toys are
suitable for ages six and up.
Skullduggery’s Eyewitness Kits™ |
Get
Diggy With It
Skullduggery’s
Eyewitness Kits™ line of construct-your-own dinosaurs
and animals ($12.95) are a graphic, tactile way of studying our
ancient past. Their collection of extinct skulls and museum-quality
replicas range from $125 to $300. The Museumworks
line, also from Skullduggery, brings us the T-Rex Tooth
Kit, which allows kids to cast an impressive Tyrannosaurus
bicuspid. At $14.95 it won’t take a big bite out of Mom’s
wallet, and it’s a great way to wow ‘em at show-and-tell.
Flip
N Flyer Gyroscopic Flying Disc |
Out-of-Sight
Is it a glow-in-the-dark alien space craft? A horizontal yo-yo?
A floating double-sided Frisbee? A team sport? Summer’s almost
here, and the Flip N Flyer Gyroscopic Flying Disc
($9.95) from Stellar
Toys will find picnic players having so much fun with
this toy they might even question the laws of physics.
Writer's
Bio: Karen Mendez Smith has been involved in children's
media for over twenty years as a literary agent, writer, and creator
of animated television and film. Co-founder of Satori Organics and
M/Path Press, she is a parent to eight children and five incredible
grandchildren (and counting).
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