Educational Toy Review

Toy Review - Thames & Kosmos, Little Labs - Weather

With this kit, kids will get to investigate weather with experiments on wind, rain, storms, clouds, rainbows, temperature, evaporation, pressure, and more. I love the instruction manuals that all the Thames & Kosmos Science Kits come with. That is one of the aspects that make these such wonderful toys. The Little Labs line begins with Stepping into Science, a starter kit that covers five topics. The kit teaches science fundamentals through 25 experiments, while at the same time introducing children to the concept and process of experimentation. In addition, there are six single-topic kits: plants, physics, light and colors, animals, weather, and cars and motors. Each kit offers a handful of essential experiments.

This kit in particular, the Thames & Kosmos Little Labs - Weather, comes with a weather vane kids get to put together, a rain gauge, a thermometer and a couple of wheel charts to teach kids about the weather principles they’re studying hands-on.

My overall review: a great toy, and probably one of the more educational in this series. You can usually find one of these kits wherever best selling toys are sold for about $15 US.

Reviewer Averages (scale of 1 to 10):

Posted in Biology and Anatomy, Early Learning, Science Kits | 3 Comments »

Toy Review - Uncle Milton Ant Farm Gel Colony

I set up one of these ant farms back in the spring and have to say that despite all the negative reviews it’s gotten on Amazon, it really was pretty fun. I think ant farms in general are some of the more educational toys you can buy, but I think this one just brought the toy into the 21st century. Granted, there’s nothing wrong with the original and the vintage ant farm, but the gel substrate just sets this one apart.

One thing that I really like about this one is that with the nutrient-rich gel substrate, you’ll never have to water or feed your ants. Plus, with the see-through gel, you’ll actually see the ants’ tunnels in 3D. A handful of ants will make this one very attractive display.

Back when we set this up, we actually connected two ant farms: the ant farm gel colony and one of the original ones. I did this mainly because we had too many ants for just one habitat, but also because I wanted to see which substrate the ants preferred– the gel or the original sand-type mix. It turns out they didn’t seem to care but I don’t recommend mixing two different types of ant farms (with the two substrates) as after a while, they got all mixed and it just created kind of a mess. That’s not saying anything negative about the toy, just that I used it in a way it wasn’t intended.

Overall, a great buy for about $26 US, and it was, and still is, one of the more fun science toys we’ve looked at.

Reviewer Averages (scale of 1 to 10):

Posted in Insect Collecting, Live Animal Kits | No Comments »

The Best Toys You Won’t Find at Toys R Us

I realize a lot of parents don’t have time to thoroughly research all the toys they buy their children. I’ve certainly been guilty of this and have done my share of shopping at Toys R Us or the toy department at Target or Wal-Mart. When I have the time, I’d rather do a little digging to find something unique and something that my children will benefit from in the long run. I came across a list at Atomic Elephant Toy of the best toys you won’t find at Toys R Us. The list is all educational toys with most of the suppliers primarily carrying discovery and science toys.

What’s unfortunate for some is that customers who only shop at the mainstream department and toy stores will never get to know some of the best educational toy makers. Of course, most have heard of Fisher Price and Leap Frog, and these are great makers of educational toys — but how many have heard of Ein-O Science Kits and played with their unique and exciting physics and chemistry sets? Or how about Thames & Kosmos? These guys make some of the most advanced and educational science kits out there. Other great suppliers… Be Amazing Toys. DuneCraft (terrariums and plants). Wild Science (chemistry sets, ant and worm habitats, Triassic Triops). The list of great suppliers of toys that you won’t find at Toys R Us is fairly extensive. So do yourself and your child a favor and take a look at some of these great options available.

Reviewer Averages (scale of 1 to 10):

Posted in General Education, Science Kits | No Comments »

Toy Review - SmartLab Science & Nature Challenge

Of all the SmartLab books and science kits, this is one of the most fun. All of them have 1,000 questions and this one is geared around science and nature trivia. The concept of the game is pretty simple. You can play alone or against an opponent taking turns answering multiple choice science and nature questions. There is no set number of questions per game - it lasts about 10 minutes and you earn points by answering the questions correctly. The more you answer correctly, and the faster you answer them, the more points you’ll earn in the time allotted.

I tried this game with my wife and we had a pretty good time competing back and forth. Playing in two-player mode, after starting, the electronic LED screen will show “player one” and a question number. You quickly flip to the page with that question, read it and enter your answer (A-D). It will immediately tell you if you’re right or wrong and if wrong the correct answer. Then it will flash “player two” and a question number. You keep going back and forth until the time is up and it will tally both players’ scores.

Overall, these SmartLab kits are some of my favorite educational toys. For a price around $20 US, the educational value is well worth the investment.

Reviewer Averages (scale of 1 to 10):

Posted in Books and Software, Science Kits | No Comments »

Wacky Waves Mini Lab - Slinky Science

Learn the science behind the amazing Slinky. What is a wave? How are seismic waves formed? How are waves measured? Just use the two Slinkys and everything else included in the awesome kit to find out the answers. Ages 8 and up.

Reviewer Averages (scale of 1 to 10):

• Overall Rating: 7.0
• Fun Meter: 6.5
• Safety Rating: 9.5
• Cost vs. Value: 8.5

Posted in Science Kits | 2 Comments »

Space Theater Planetarium - Slinky Science

This home planetarium projects detailed, scientifically accurate views of the ever changing night sky. The finest star and constellation projections you’ll see outside of a million-dollar museum planetarium. You can present dramatic sky shows of the Northern Hemisphere - for any day of the year and any hour of the night. You can project the entire night sky - or choose from 4 close-up seasonal views. You’ll learn to locate the major stars and constellations well enough to go outside and find them in the sky. And it’s easy. Simply select a view, date, and a time - then turn out the lights and flip on the switch of your Space Theater projector. Your ceiling will sparkle with a dazzling array of stars. Turn on your Audio CD Star Guide and embark on a thrilling tour of the heavens. A Star Guide Manual gives complete easy-to-follow instructions.

Reviewer Averages (scale of 1 to 10):

• Overall Rating: 5.0
• Fun Meter: 5.0
• Safety Rating: 8.0
• Cost vs. Value: 8.0

Posted in Astronomy and Space | 1 Comment »

Solar Energy Mini Lab - Slinky Science

Energy… for the ecology-conscious. A complete lab, with solar collector, solar heater, energy focusing lens, thermometer - more than 25 energy conservation experiments. Ages 8 and up.

Reviewer Averages (scale of 1 to 10):

Posted in Earth Science | No Comments »

Slippery Slimes Science Kit - Slinky Science

More amazingly yucky polymers. Whip up and delight two gloriously gloopy, slippery slimes. Learn what polymers are and why they act the way they do. Safe, non-toxic ingredients.

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Posted in Chemistry Sets | No Comments »

Slime Science Mini Lab - Slinky Science

Create slimes with fun properties to explore-a slime that jiggles; a sticky ooze that can glue things together; a mystery material that’s solid one minute, liquid the next; a rubbery, stretchy putty; and a classic horror-movie slime. Science booklet, recipe cards, and slime chemicals are included. Note: this set contains chemicals that may be harmful if misused. Read cautions on individual containers carefully. Not to be used by children except under adult supervision. Ages 8 and up.

Reviewer Averages (scale of 1 to 10):

Posted in Chemistry Sets | No Comments »

Secret Messages Mini Lab - Slinky Science

Cryptography- the spy science of secret messages-is everywhere secrets are kept: on the Internet, in bank ATMs, businesses, the military, and more. Learn the secrets to keeping secrets. Use codes, ciphers, and hidden messages to communicate with your friends in over a dozen sneaky ways. Ages 8 and up.

Reviewer Averages (scale of 1 to 10):

• Overall Rating: 6.8
• Fun Meter: 5.3
• Safety Rating: 5.0
• Cost vs. Value: 7.5

Posted in Science Kits | No Comments »