Toys by Subject


Biology


Bug Box
by Small World Toys



Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours.

Size (in inches): 3.5 x 7.25 x 4.25
Click for larger picture

Amazon.com age range:

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12+

Manufacturer age range: 3 years and up
More age info

Educational Objective: science, observation
Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only to U.S. addresses.
ASIN: B00000ITLS

Description and Reviews
Amazon.com
The Wood Nature Bug Box has it all for your favorite budding lawn biologist! This durable carry box is built of smoothly finished natural wood and has green fabric screening edged with plastic binding. A fabric carry strap and a plastic easy open-and-close door make it perfect for young and curious collectors. Exploring the backyard or hiking in the woods becomes a fun and educational experience. Measures 7 by 4 by 3.5 inches. (Ages 3 to 10) --Margaret Quinn
Click here to learn more or purchase from Amazon.com


Explore Life's Diversity: Charles Darwin
by Scientific Explorer



Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours.

Size (in inches): 11.0 x 8.75 x 2.5
Click for more pictures

Amazon.com age range:

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12+

Manufacturer age range: 9 years and up
More age info

Skill Set Description: Gross and fine motor skills, deductive reasoning.
Educational Objective: Learning about botony and biology within your local community by exploring and conducting a series of experiments.
Manufacturers Warranty Description: 30 day guarantee against manufacturer defects in materials or workmanship.
Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only to U.S. addresses.
ASIN: B00000ISAC

Description and Reviews
Amazon.com
Charles Darwin, the 19th-century naturalist who revolutionized biology with his theory of evolution, believed that there were three stages on the road to becoming a naturalist: collecting specimens of life forms, observing specimens, and drawing conclusions based on observations. The Charles Darwin Kit, one in Scientific Explorer's History of Science series, guides children through each stage with a series of experiments and activities. They can catalog life in their backyards using biodiversity cards, grow wildflowers, and even design a new bird species. Includes magnifier, forceps, petri dishes, collection box, starter pots, wildflower seeds, labels, and other equipment necessary for investigating the amazing diversity of life in the backyard. Scientific Explorer kits have won Dr. Toy's Best 100 Toys and 10 Most Socially Responsible Toy Awards (1996), three Oppenheimer Toy Portfolio's Best Toy Awards (1996), Parenting Magazine's Top Toys of the Year (1995), and Parents' Choice Foundation's Parents' Choice Honors (1994 and 1995). --Lisa Whipple
Click here to learn more or purchase from Amazon.com


Newton's Apple Kits: Newton Body Shop
by Wild Goose



Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours.

Size (in inches): 7.4 x 9.4 x 2.5
Click for more pictures

Amazon.com age range:

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12+

More age info

Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only to U.S. addresses.
ASIN: B00000ITBG

Description and Reviews
Amazon.com
How does the brain send messages? How do eyes work? How do humans stay balanced on 2 legs? Short of performing an autopsy, it is difficult to illustrate and explain these complicated systems to children. This kit, based on the public-television series Newton's Apple, offers a package of 8 experiments to answer these tough questions and more. Like the TV show, this kit will appeal to children who never thought they liked science. Truly interesting projects can be performed using the contents of this kit (which includes a bottle of acetic acid and a real sheep eye!) and some household supplies. Be prepared to gather a lot of materials, including a 9-volt battery, corn syrup, a yardstick, and about 16 other items. These projects require adult supervision, but don't worry--adults will probably find the experiments and instructions extremely entertaining and educational. (Ages 8 and older) --Gail Hudson
Click here to learn more or purchase from Amazon.com


Smithsonian Anatomy Lab
by Natural Sciences Industry



Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours.

Size (in inches): 18.0 x 12.75 x 4.0
Click for larger picture

Amazon.com age range:

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12+

More age info

Educational Objective: Science, medicine and biological systems.
Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only to U.S. addresses.
ASIN: B00000IT5U

Description and Reviews
Amazon.com
Wow! The human liver is huge! And the stomach is half the size of a single lung! For a three-dimensional, hands-on introduction to human anatomy and biology, this Smithsonian-endorsed kit is a winner. The 9.5-inch tall, 11-piece, plastic model goes from upper thighs to the top of the head (omitting genitals) and includes removable eyes, left brain hemisphere, heart, lungs, liver, stomach, kidneys, intestines, and chest plate. The 17-page booklet is essential to a full understanding of the model, but isn't written at a level appropriate for elementary-school readers, so plan for parental involvement. Medically correct terminology is introduced (terms such as epidermis, neuron, proximal, and inferior), and the explanations are good. Anyone who hasn't completed medical school will learn something from this kit. (Ages 8 and older) --Louise Carter
Click here to learn more or purchase from Amazon.com


Hydro Greenhouse
by Uncle Milton



Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours.

Size (in inches): 20.25 x 8.0 x 10.5
Click for more pictures

Amazon.com age range:

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12+

More age info

Skill Set Description: Ability to read and follow directions
Educational Objective: Intoduction to Botany. Demonstrates advanced agriculture technology.
Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only to U.S. addresses.
ASIN: B00000ITO8

Description and Reviews
From the manufacturer
Tabletop hydroponics mini-greenhouse demonstrates advanced agriculture technology. Grows real vegetables, fruits, herbs, flowers using liquid nutrient instead of soil. Automatically feeds and waters via a Passive Osmotic Nutrient Transport System. Fourteen piece set comes complete with planting bed, fold-away greenhouse incubator, gallon nutrient reservoir, refill indicator, inert growing medium, year supply of nutrient, integrated trellis twist ties, multi-gardening tool and illustrated "Guide to Hydroponic Gardening" Just add seeds and water and watch 'em grow.
Click here to learn more or purchase from Amazon.com


450X Power Microscope
by Small World Toys



Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours.

Size (in inches): 6.5 x 3.5 x 9.3

Click for larger picture

Amazon.com age range:

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12+

Manufacturer age range: 7 - 12 years
More age info

Skill Set Description: Fine motor skills
Educational Objective: Teach about the microscopic world.
Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only to U.S. addresses.
ASIN: B00000ITM4

Description and Reviews
Amazon.com
This lightweight toy is a working microscope with three lenses that magnify at 100x, 200x, and 450x. The light source is a small piano mirror beneath the stage (the base on which you secure specimen slides) that is easily adjusted to get the illumination you need. The set comes with one plastic prepared slide, three plastic blank slides, cover slips, labels, eyedropper, and gum media for making specimens stick. This is a surprisingly strong microscope for a toy, and will serve to introduce children to the workings of more powerful microscopes later on. (Ages 8 and older) --Tom Keogh
Click here to learn more or purchase from Amazon.com


100X, 300X, 600X Microscope
by Educational Insights



Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours.

Size (in inches): 10.0 x 7.0 x 3.0
Click for larger picture

Amazon.com age range:

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12+

More age info

Pls note: Batteries are available at $2.49 extra charge, but no additional charge for shipping the batteries

Educational Objective: Science, Biology and following instructions.
Batteries: 2 AA batteries required.
Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only to U.S. addresses.
ASIN: B00000ISX2

Description and Reviews
Amazon.com
For a rudimentary introduction to what a microscope can do, this Educational Insights toy fills the bill. At 8.25 inches high, it's small and bone simple. You can change the magnification (100x, 300x, or 600x), flip from mirror to battery-powered lamp illumination, and adjust the focus knob (which raises and lowers the combined eyepiece/lens unit). Two slides--plants and animals--are included, with four preparations on each one. If you want to look at something besides goldfish scales and bamboo shoots, there are three glass slides, tweezers, and a plastic dropper for concocting your own preparations (dust bunnies? spider legs?). Although the optics don't approach those of a professional microscope, the price doesn't compare either. And you get a good idea of the differences among levels of magnification. Extra bulb included. (Ages 5 and older)--Louise Carter
Click here to learn more or purchase from Amazon.com


300X, 600X, 900X Microscope
by Educational Insights



Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours.

Size (in inches): 31.0 x 9.0 x 4.0
Click for larger picture

Amazon.com age range:

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12+

More age info

Please note: two AA size batteries required and are available for $2.49
Educational Objective: Science, Biology and following instructions.
Batteries: 2 AA batteries required.
Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only to U.S. addresses.
ASIN: B00000ISXH

Description and Reviews
Amazon.com
For budding microbiologists who want to sketch, project onto a wall, or view on a small screen the tiny organisms they're studying, this five-way microscope offers a lot. The 14.75-inch microscope comes assembled with a 5-inch removable viewer hood that makes these features possible. For optimal brightness and clarity through the eyepiece, simply pull off the hood and screw the eyepiece directly onto the body tube. Magnification options are 300x, 600x, and 900x, and it's easy to flip from mirror to battery-powered lamp illumination. The kit includes six labeled slides with four preparations on each one (animals, plants, insects, textile fibers, tiny creatures, and "pollen & spore"). It also includes four glass slides, cover glasses, gum medium, tweezers, a plastic dropper, and a dissecting needle. For best results with the viewer hood, use in a dark or dimly lit room. (Ages 8 and older) --Louise Carter
Click here to learn more or purchase from Amazon.com


Eyewitness Kit: Humanworks
by Skullduggery

Amazon.com Price: $9.99

Availability: Usually ships within 24 hours.

Size (in inches): 18.0 x 4.0 x 1.0
Click for larger picture

Amazon.com age range:

0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12+

Manufacturer age range: 8 years and up
More age info

Skill Set Description: Works on reading skills and hand-eye coordination.
Educational Objective: building and science
Manufacturers Warranty Description: 30 day warranty against any defects in manufacturing from date of purchase.
Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only to U.S. addresses.
ASIN: B00000ISDO

Description and Reviews
Amazon.com
Understand your own body--literally--with this engrossing skeleton-building kit that combines art and science in a profoundly imaginative way. A perfect gift for the child stuck at home with a broken bone, the educational Humanworks skeleton will engage and excite your exo-biologist. The kit contains casting instruments that allow children to pour liquid into molds and create solid bone models. After about two hours of drying time, newly created bones can be painted, equipped with magnets, and assembled on a refrigerator. An 11-page instruction booklet intelligently answers questions about bones and skeletons in a way that is easy to understand. There is even a glossary explaining tough words like "metacarpal" and "phalange." The Eyewitness book Human Body would make a good companion to the kit. (Ages 9 to 12) --Sally James
Click here to learn more or purchase from Amazon.com