Building a Better World

New Construction and Science Toys Test Kids' Limits

By Alison Marek
January 2008

These toys challenge kids to see the world in new ways. Whether constructing private spaces or recycling for fun, kids who use these innovative products are encouraged to think critically and re-imagine their environment.

"All of our build kits have only 8 basic components," said Dane Scarborough, founder of Uberstix. "But they're designed to be modified so you can create new components and solve problems. If a piece breaks, you now have two components that can be modified to create something you otherwise wouldn't be able to build."

LandSailer™ / ÜberDragster™ Scavenger Kit by UBERSTIX

These new construction/craft kits from ÜberStix take the company's commitment to recycling one step further. When kids open the construction kit, they will discover that it requires more than just building it. The ÜBERSTIX LANDSAILER™ and ÜBERDRAGSTER™ are both working models that require Push Ups® ice cream pops for wheels, coffee stir sticks, straws and more. The LandSailer requires very little wind to move it across the ground. Kids can set up their own unique race courses for their working models — even build a speed ramp. "This is the first build system that rewards kids for recycling," ÜberStix founder Dane Scarborough told TDmonthly. "In doing the Scavenger Kits, we're starting a new category of toys." ( Watch Video) 12/17/2007 (MSRP: $16.99; Age: 7 and Up)

UberStix™ Scavenger Recycling Series by UBERSTIX

These new construction/craft kits from Überstix take the company's commitment to recycling one step further. To complete the working ÜBERSTIX PirateShip™ or ÜBERFO™, one must collect a list of recyclable components from an included Scavenger List. Building the PirateShip, for example, requires ice cream sticks, a plastic water bottle, cups, a rubber band, a plastic bag for the sail, and tape. The ÜBERFO is easy to build and fun to fly.
— "The Scavenger Kits reward children in two ways," Uberstix Founder Dane Scarborough told TDmonthly. "First, they get to build a working model they can actually play with. Second, they can build bigger objects because they add to them with materials they find." 12/17/2007 (MSRP: $16.99; Age: 7 and Up)

Antlantis by TOYOPS INC.

The ecosystem set allows one to create a personal oasis, learn and have fun taking care of plants, nurture a sustainable habitat and watch ants move from one habitat to another. Viewers will witness ants in a real environment, moving food, digging tunnels, raising baby ants and protecting the colony.
— The kits “are designed to have great play value while exploring important scientific concepts and skills,” Dennis Callaghan of Toyops Inc. told TDmonthly. Additionally, the product “is eco-friendly and part of a connectable world.” 12/28/2007 (MSRP: $29.95; Age: 6 and Up)

notNeutral Wood Blocks by NOTNEUTRAL

notNeutral Wood Blocks by NOTNEUTRAL The set consists of 12 1-3/4” cube blocks, arranged in a wood tray. Each side features red and black graphics of flora, fauna, letter and number. Basic equations can be solved using the two-tone graphic numbers face while the apples and season-patterned faces form a three-faced puzzle. Launch date: January 2007.
— “This set of wooden blocks is not just for children. The multi-faceted pieces turn the concept of the traditional alphabet block set on its head by featuring an array of multi-functional patterns and colors,” notNeutral Designer Chiaki Kanda told TDmonthly. 12/28/2007 (MSRP: $38.00; Age: 3 and Up)

Fortamajig Connectables by THE HAPPY KID COMPANY

The colorful building panels are made from durable nylon ripstop and offer a distinctive Velcro system allowing kids to quickly “lock” these fabric shapes together to form special forts and tents. Connectables come with six multi-colored 33” squares and two 58” long rectangles, all packaged in a backpack tote. Connect the panels to create small spaces or large roaming mazes. Launch date: February 2008.
— “Kids will adore the ease and freedom this product offers them in constructing unique spaces anywhere, indoors or outside,” Katherine H.P. Huck of The Happy Kid Co. LLC told TDmonthly.
— Linda Laramy, owner of Crackerjacks Toys and Childrens Books in Easton, Md., told TDmonthly in a Summer 2011 survey that she sells 2 of these each month. 12/28/2007 (MSRP: $65.00; Age: 3 and Up)

Skeleflex by WILD PLANET

Skeleflex by WILD PLANET The expandable ball-and-socket building system features flexible connectors that create lifelike movement. Each set comes in its own carrying case and idea book. The Skeleflex line offers 12 assortments. Launch date: Fall 2008.
— “The creative ball-and-socket building system includes interchangeable, rigid bone-shaped pieces that rotate at the point of connection,” Kim Bratcher of Wild Planet Toys told TDmonthly. “Pieces from all sets are interchangeable, so there is no limit to what a child can create.” 12/28/2007 (MSRP: $12.99; Age: 6 and Up)

Rewarding Kids Responsibility Kit by CREATIVE CHANGES INC.

This kit will help children build self esteem and a sense of responsibility. The reusable charts will help turn attitudes into productivity with new and valuable lifetime habits, helping kids accomplish personal and household tasks cheerfully. The charts will magnetize right to the refrigerator door as convenient and frequent reminders for the entire family. Each kit includes a workbook, job cards, system cards, checklists, incentives and rewards, ideas for organizing bedrooms, static cling stickers and more.
— “[It] will really help children want to repeat the efforts over and over again,” Merrill Dastrup of Creative Changes Inc. told TDmonthly. 1/2/2008 (MSRP: $24.95)

Mini Solar Kit – Aerial Cable Car by OWI INC.

The car’s power grid system “powers on” when the sun is bright. The set comes with a transport cable, automatic round trip return stoppers, a solar panel and 30 plastic parts to assemble. No batteries are required, making the unit environmentally safe. It challenges young people to be technically precise with miniature parts, follow precise visual diagrams and learn about solar energy. 1/2/2008 (MSRP: $17.95)

Mini Solar Kit – Flapping Sea Gull by OWI INC.

The bird features a suction cup that allows it to be secured in direct sunlight and function as a weather indicator. Twelve plastic parts come ready for assembly and no batteries are required. The set teaches students to follow precise visual diagrams and challenges young people to be technically precise with miniature parts. 1/2/2008 (MSRP: $13.95)

Mini Solar Kit – Valiant Viking Ship by OWI INC.

The ship comes ready with 33 parts, ready for assembly. A docking station is included and no batteries or tools are required. The set motivates students to learn about solar energy, challenges students to be technically precise with miniature parts and teaches students to follow precise visual diagrams. 1/2/2008 (MSRP: $17.95; Age: 10 and Up)

Mini Solar Car Kit – Sonic F1 by OWI INC.

The Sonic F1 is the perfect balance of aerodynamics, transmission, speed, and stylish design. It consumes no fossil resources – harnessing just the energy of the sun – making it an educational tool that teaches alternative energy concepts. It comes with ten parts that are easy to assemble and require no tools or batteries. 1/2/2008 (MSRP: $15.95)

Mini Solar Kit – Peppy Orangutan by OWI INC.

The orangutan’s animal-like animation – traversing over ropes, hand-over-hand like a real monkey – is enabled using only solar energy. Only 15 parts need to be assembled. The unit will motivate students to learn about micro-robotics and solar energy. It will also teach students to follow precise visual diagrams. ( Watch Video) 1/2/2008 (MSRP: $15.95)