Toys by Subject

Astronomy

Description and Reviews
Amazon.com
This little device (small enough for a shirt pocket) is a bright idea for teaching constellation roaming to the younger enrollees at Star Fleet Academy. Flip open the lid on any starry night, find north with the built-in compass, and insert a card for any of 20 major constellations from Andromeda to Virgo. A light (in night-vision-friendly red) illuminates the card, which maps the constellation, tells you in which months it's visible, and explains how to find it relative to the polestar. Major stars and nebulae are named. Suitable for all latitudes between 20 and 60 degrees north. The flip-open design, so reminiscent of a Star Trek communicator, can't be accidental: beam us up. (Ages 8 and older) --Richard Farr
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Description and Reviews
Amazon.com
There's nothing like turning a ceiling into a night sky to spark a child's imagination (or an adult's for that matter!). It's easy to create a galaxy of glowing constellations--including Libra, Orion, and Cassiopeia--with this comprehensive kit. Just tape or hold the constellation maps to the ceiling and place the glow-in-the-dark star stickers through the stenciled holes. (Use a wall if the ceiling's out of reach.) Remove the sheets, turn out the lights, and watch your stars twinkle in the dark. Sheets indicate adjoining constellations to help you create an accurate galaxy. The self-adhesive stickers are easy to remove and leave no marks. Ten constellation sheets with fun facts such as distance from Earth, instructions, a glossary, and 156 self-adhesive stars are included. (Ages 6 and older) --Elizabeth Ward

Amazon.com
A stargazer's delight. Under the imprint of National Geographic comes this easy-to-assemble constellation map for your ceiling. Paper guidelines can be taped to the ceiling or wall. You simply stick the glow-in-the-dark "stars" onto the template, remove the paper, and voilà, you have Ursa Major (including the Big Dipper), Ursa Minor, Cassiopeia, Orion, Cancer, Gemini, and Leo. Each constellation template comes with lots of information, including distance of stars from Earth, number of stars, size, visibility, and mythological background on the constellation's namesake. (Ages 7 to 12) --Claire Dederer
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Description and Reviews
Amazon.com
A winner of the National Parenting Center's Seal of Approval, this educational kit teaches a broad range of lessons about astronomy. Scientifically inclined kids of all ages will enjoy constructing colorful scale models of all nine planets. They're relatively big, with Jupiter, the largest, 5 inches wide. The kit also features a big (36 by 12 inches) poster of the Sun, complete with sunspots. A 64-page solar system science book contains assembly and painting instructions, information about all the planets and their moons, and a score of suggestions for fun and educational science experiments. This kit makes a nifty companion to Educational Design's Our Amazing Planet Earth. (Ages 8 and older) --Rebecca Hughes
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Availability: This item usually ships within 2-3 days.

Box Size (in inches): 9.6 x 6.1 x 9.1

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Manufacturer's age: 8 years and up
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Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
Shipping weight: 1.85 pounds.
ASIN: B00000IRNV
Product Reviews
Amazon.com
Do you know a kid (or an adult) who practically lives in a planetarium? With this home version, all they have to do is turn out the lights and they'll have their own planetarium right there in their room. You can project bright stars--including Northern Hemisphere constellations, plus six planets (Mars shows red, and the Earth, blue)--onto the ceiling or wall; and you can set the stars up for any month. The kit includes a two-sided instructional audiocassette and an informative 24-page manual. It also features a star pointer and a spare flashlight bulb. But if the lucky recipient lacks saintly patience, you should complement this home planetarium with two AA and two C batteries, which it requires but doesn't provide. Educational Design also makes the Southern Hemisphere Conversion Kit--to be used with this set--and a complete Southern Hemisphere Planetarium. --Rebecca Hughes

Product Description
Explore the night skies! Project stars, constellations, and planets on any wall or ceiling with Our Amazing Home Planetarium. This kit features a rotating dome that can be adjusted to project the position of any star at any time of the year. It also simulates the relative brightness of stars, and includes a lighted "Star Pointer" and an audio cassette to guide your way. The planetarium requires two AA and two C batteries, which are not included.
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Availability: This item usually ships within 2-3 days.

Box Size (in inches): 9.0 x 9.4 x 5.75

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Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
Shipping weight: 1.9 pounds.
ASIN: B00000IRSU
Product Reviews
Amazon.com
Do you know a child or an adult who lives in or takes an interest in the Southern Hemisphere? With this home version, all they have to do is turn out the lights, and they can transform their own room into a private planetarium. You can project bright stars--including Southern constellations, plus six planets (Mars shows red, and the Earth, blue)--onto the ceiling or wall; you can set the stars up for any month. The kit includes an informative 24-page English/Spanish manual and an instructional audiocassette--in English on one side and Spanish on the other. It also features a star pointer and a spare flashlight bulb--but if the lucky recipient lacks saintly patience, you should complement this home planetarium with two AA and two C batteries, which it requires but doesn't provide. Educational Design also makes the home planetarium Our Northern Hemisphere. --Rebecca Hughes

Product Description
Explore the night skies! Project stars, constellations, and planets on any wall or ceiling with Our Amazing Home Planetarium. This kit features a rotating dome that can be adjusted to project the position of any star at any time of the year. It also simulates the relative brightness of stars, and includes a lighted "Star Pointer" and an audio cassette to guide your way. The planetarium requires two AA and two C batteries, which are not included.
Click here to learn more or purchase from Amazon.com

 
Availability: This item usually ships within 2-3 days.

Size (in inches): 8.0 x 5.5 x 1.0

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Availability: This item usually ships within 2-3 days.

Size (in inches): 10.1 x 7.25 x 2.0
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Manufacturer's age: 3 years and up
Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
Shipping weight: 1.0 pounds.
ASIN: B00000K03W

Product Reviews
Product Description
Our super bright stars glow 10 times longer than any other stars. We use a super charged version of Glominite glow-in-the-dark pigment that makes these the brightest stars around.
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Availability: This item usually ships within 2-3 days.

Size (in inches): 12.1 x 10.1 x 1.6

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Manufacturer's age: 12 years and up
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Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
Shipping weight: 0.7 pounds.
ASIN: B00000J00D

Product Reviews
Product Description
Transform your room into an amazing glowing universe with the National Geographic Home Planetarium. It features stars, planets, comets, moons, asteroids, and more, all in correct proportions. An educational booklet about our solar system has directions on hor to "build" your own. Removable reusable adhesive putty is included.
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Availability: This item usually ships within 2-3 days.

Size (in inches): 11.0 x 8.5 x 1.5

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