When’s the last time you asked yourself: “How prepared am I for a pandemic?” We’ve just acquired hundreds of U.S. Department of Defense Pandemic Flu Preparedness Kits, so now you can answer “Really prepared.” Get a few kits and fend off influenza or the other nasty stuff that’s bound to cross international borders eventually. Kit includes (2) N95 respirators, (4) surgical masks, a 4 oz bottle of hand sanitizer and an information sheet on how to decrease your risk in a pandemic emergency. Not afraid of the flu? Get the kits for their high-quality masks alone--perfect for dusty projects.

These plastic luer lock syringes will take a needle, but they're not sterile, so we’d suggest craft, woodworking or general squirting uses only. Measure 7” long (3-3/4” for the fillable section) x 1-1/8” ID. Will hold 0.3 oz /10ml and has graduated markings. Our each is a bag of (50).

You say your office is the coffee shop on the corner? You say you wish you had a desk like all the big kids in the offices downtown? You’re in luck because this all-black plastic desk set has everything you need in a 4-1/2" dia x 4-1/2" tall rotating pen stand, including (2) pencils, a pen, scissors, 6” ruler, (5) pushpins, a pencil sharpener, small stapler with (500) staples, (10) paper clips, a gum eraser and a staple remover. It’ll be like having a job!

You can’t beat the original, genuine, authentic, standard, classic, fine-point Sharpie® permanent red, blue and black markers with the pocket-clip cap. Just can’t. Accept no substitutes, unless we say it’s OK. Our each is one of each color!

This set includes (32) hex drive CR-V security bits at 2-1/2” long, including a 6mm slotted; PH1 & 2; T8 through T40; tri-point 1 through 4; spanner heads #4 through 10; pozi 1, 2 & 3; 6-point from 2 through 6; Torx #6, 8 &10; plus the ever-popular rubber holder so you do don’t lose them.

Box of 50 brand new N95-rated particulate respirator mask from 3M measures 8” wide with elastic ear loops, and a metal nose-piece. Keeps you breathing right. Made right here in the US of A.

Everything you need to build a little DC motor is included in this kit (except sandpaper, screwdriver, scissors and, of course, an AA battery). The instructions are simple and explain the theory as well as assembly. Fun and educational for ages 12 and up.

Go on, take a chance with Futurama Universe X from Kidrobot®. For less than the price of a chicken and waffle slider, we’ll send you a blind, sealed pack, possibly with with one of the Frys, Leelas, Benders or Zapps, or Dr. Zoidberg, Morbo, Hedonism Bot, Roberto, Calculon, Slurms or Robot Devil, among others. We don’t know what’s in the blind pack and neither will you until you open it…you know the drill, right?

Bottle-less glass eye-droppers. Measure 2-3/4" long with a rubber bulb and a screw cap, and the dropper will pop out of the cap if you need it to. Hold about 1ml each. We’re thinking student lab supplies, paper and fabric art applications, really careful baking uses (too much green food coloring makes the cookies look horrid), and homemade tincture-dosing. Made in USA.

10" Diameter x 3" wide pneumatic steel rimmed wheel. Size is 4.10/3.50 with a knobby thread, 5/8" bore and each handles loads uptp 300 lbs. 30psi and weighs in at 3lbs.

Dead-center at the confluence of cute and useful, this mini digital panel-mount thermometer has a suction cup on the back for mounting pretty much anywhere. Has a probe on the end of a 10-foot cord, a range of -58 to 158 degrees F and -50 to 70 degrees C. Measures just 1-7/8" x 15/16" x shy of 1/2" with clips and the suction cup, and has a 1-3/4” LCD screen. Includes an AG13 battery.

Ecosmart delivers on this 6" diameter dimmable downlight. 2700K (Soft White) with a standard medium base so it can fit into can lights. It has a trim that extends out to 7.5" and has clips to hold it in place. The bulb is a 65W Equivalent and only draws 12.5W for some super savings. Buy more and save!. Not available in our stores.

Nothing makes you look better than a little soft, glowing ambient light, and we all need to look a tad more marvelous. Luckily, we have three ways. You pick: the 5-3/4” tall tubby rocket ship that emits a creamy yellow glow; the 5-1/2” tall pink flamingo that’s as flattering as a John Waters movie; or our 6-3/8” tall translucent white cactus that will morph through undulating red, green, and blue hues with pink, purple and yellow tones in between. All run on a trio of AG-13 button-cell batteries thoughtfully included.

Like Sam Clemens, the reports of this tape’s expiration have been greatly exaggerated. It’s high-end, type-37 black electrical tape at 1” x 36 yards on a 1-1/2” core. The expiration date on the label is passed, but CJ, our Senior Tape-Tackiness Technician, assures us that it’s still “sticky as all get-out.” Made by the mighty Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing company. CSA.

Our all-time favorite misprint-special featured thousands of pencils marked “Pensil.” We don’t expect to top that, but we do have beaucoup black-ink gel pens with rubber-coated barrels and caps with mangled, mistaken, or over-printed promo messages. They’re yours for a song--or a half-buck each, whether you can sing or not.

This water-based marker set from Art Treasures has (60) colors—(53) more hues than in Roy G. Biv’s famous spectrum. Markers are double-headed, with flexible brush tips at one end and calligraphy tips at the other, perfect for graphic designers, fine artists, sign-makers, journalers, coloring book fans, comics makers, kids, and doodlers everywhere. If all those hooded monks inking illuminated manuscripts had had these, the Middle Ages would have been 200 years shorter.

These (3) different Blokko building block sets are compatible with you-know-what, including a (117)-piece candy machine, a (109)-piece ATM (candy of a different kind), and a (111)-piece desk organizer. Each will be approx 3" x 2" x 2" when assembled, and will give a kid a nice sense of accomplishment. We’ll send you (2) different ones. Ages 6+.

You like to scratch off stuff and see what you haven’t won? Get ready for some serious scratching with this full-color political world map, approx 36" x 20", where all the countries and islands start out gray until you scratch-off to reveal their colors. No Antarctica, sadly, but it’s mostly white anyway. Except for the penguins.

Then you’ll need one of these polyester ear bands with an opening for the bill of your baseball cap. (Yes, our worst joke of the catalog so far this year, but it’s early.) And these are nice ear warmers and people do wear baseball caps in the winter, but if you don’t, these will keep both your ears and nose warm while you look through the slit for the bill. Really.

This N95-rated particulate respirator mask from 3M measures 8” wide with elastic ear loops, and a metal nosepiece. Keeps you breathing right. Made right here in the US of A.

If you want something done right…. And yes, that includes laboratory slides. This 17-piece slide-making kit from Elenco includes (10) blanks, (12) cover glasses, labels, and static slide covers, magnifier, (2) vials & graduated cylinders, shrimp eggs, methylene blue, micro-hatchery, goggles, and more.

We think we got these solar-powered British bobble-head figures because the sun doesn’t shine enough to make them bobble back home. They’re all 4” tall and include a British Bobby, Beefeater, and Betty herself, Queen Elizabeth II. They stand on 2-3/8" x 2-1/8" bases with 1-1/4" solar cells. We’ll send you (2) different ones in your order.

Just ax yourself if you really need a big hatchet when this excellent, and extremely cute, stainless steel mini hand ax is available. Blade is 4-1/2” wide on a 5” molded handle, so the whole shebang is just 9” long. Comes with a canvas sheath with a belt loop for easy carrying.

You're buying the drinks and this wacky, yet debonair, bird with a top hat and plastic base (7" tall OA) can't get his fill of water. Get him started, and he dips his beak into your glass repeatedly. How? Fluid inside his glass body condenses from the evaporative cooling of the water off the bird's beak, making it top heavy and dunking it back into the water. The condensate rejoins the liquid pool in the bird's bulb, and he tips up again. Process continues indefinitely. It works, but it's not any more than moderately well made, and not any more than moderately priced. WARNING! The fluid and dye inside the bird can permanently stain, and the bird's glass body can easily be broken. Children are fascinated by the bobbing bird, and the educational possibilities are great. But they should watch him, not fondle him!! Manufacturer warning states this item is not intended for children 8 and under.

And no need to hang on, because this large, 9-3/8” x 6-1/2” Fresnel magnifying lens with approx 2X magnification is in a black plastic frame with folding legs. Stands approx 4” above a tabletop but stores flat. Also comes with a lightweight cord, so it will hang from your neck for close work sewing, knitting, or whatever. Try it once and you’ll wonder how you got along without it.

Stocking cap, actually, or (Navy) watch cap, but the hip kids call them beanies now, so we’ll try our darnedest to stay “with it.” This black acrylic knit beanie lights up with removable LEDs that fit into 2” x 1” black rubber ports on the front and back. Front has (4) white lights with hi/med/low/off modes; back has (4) red lights with on/flashing modes. Take them out when you get where you’re going so you don’t look like a doofus. They’re weather-resistant, and come with CR2032 button-cell batteries.

Why not take two since they’re medium sized, from 20” to 28”, and shaped like the critters they represent. You’ll get a pair (two different) of very colorful nylon kites, complete with 65-foot lines and 8-foot tails, from our selection of ladybugs, frogs, turtles, butterflies, owls and dragons. Packed conveniently in a clear tube for carrying.

Himalayan, Heralayan, what’s the difference? The difference is, Himalayan rock salt is pink, and this 5-lb hunk of it has been repurposed into a very cool lamp with a 5-foot power cord and an inline on-off switch. Includes a socket for a 110V 15W incandescent bulb (included), and the hunk itself measures approx 7" tall on a 3-7/8" dia wooden base. Just plug it in and feel the Himalayan difference.

Just like your own, but in rubber instead of bone. Our super realistic, anatomically correct skeletal hand and foot models are great for a medical office, anatomy lab, art studio, Halloween party, or just to add a little orthopizzazz to your living room all year long. You choose the right hand and wrist, 8” long on a 4-1/4” square base with a detailed diagram of dorsal and plantar views; or the equally detailed right foot and ankle, also 8” long on a square base with the same views diagrammed. From United Scientific Supplies, Inc. Ages 10+.

This isn't a book, but it's definitely book-ish. Looks like a leather-bound volume from the Bodleian but it's just a little wooden box, approx 8-1/2" x 5" x 2" (7" x 3-7/8" x 1-5/8" inside) that's perfect for stashing the jewels, cash, or whatever you need to stash in plain sight on the shelves.

The Junior Scientist™ series brings you the staggeringly clever wind beasts from Dutch artist Theo Jensen. These mini versions of his giant contraptions come with detailed instructions and history of the projects. You pick the Strandbeest (strand as in beach because it was made to walk on sand), an 8" x 6-5/8" x 4-1/4", 117-part wind-powered automaton; or the Rhinoceros Mini-Beest, a 3-3/4" x 6-1/2" x 6", 128-piece wind-powered automaton. For ages 8 and up, the only tool you need is a scissors.

Keep your yogurt cool in this cloth-covered neoprene tote. Purse-sized at 9” long x 5” tall x 4-5/8” wide, plus integrated 4” handles, it has a zipper closure so your sandwiches won’t fall out. If you don’t do lunch, it makes a nice foam purse. Black with silver trim. Surplus-priced, so they won’t last long.

Forget that the 6-3/4" long body is festooned with Latin phrases and old maps. The stones/beads/glass inside the tube would make designing windows in cathedrals a snap. And hey, that's good work if you can get it. A nice gift for Rosetta window fans, and a must for that special bishop in your life.

You pick the cord to cut: the microcord dispenser has (125) feet of 3/64" cord rated for 100-lb tensile strength, spooled on a handy belt holder with a recessed cutting blade. Measures 3-1/4" x 2-1/4" x 1-5/8". The paracord dispenser has (50) feet of 5/32” dia, 7-strand 550 cord in a plastic case with a belt clip and recessed cutting blade. Measures 3-3/4" x 3-3/4" x 2-1/2". Both are made in the USA by Atwood Rope.

We believe this is the most universal of our universal remotes to date, because universals are getting universaler all the time. This RCA unit will control up to (6) devices, including TVs, DVDs, VCRs, Blu-rays, cable boxes, satellites, audio players, stereos, streaming devices and most small dogs. Just kidding about that last one--you control small dogs with bacon. Remote works on devices from many manufacturers, and is easy to program. Measures 8” x 2-1/2” x 3/4”. You add a pair of “AAA” batteries.

Little solder girls also welcome, of course. Teach a kid to solder with this AmeriKit® Learn to Solder Kit from Elenco®. The kit will result in a working two-tone and flashing Euro siren, and comes with a 25W soldering iron, a speaker, dual LEDs, 4” side cutters and a spool of lead-free rosin-core solder. Includes detailed instructions for ages 12+.

A classic returns! Our extra-large punching-nun puppet features a pair of thumb controls that activate very impressive jabs from both sides. A Nun’s Story meets Raging Bull. She’s wearing pretty much the same habit that Audrey Hepburn sported in the aforementioned movie. Ladies and gentlemen...wearing black and white, standing 12” tall with an 8-1/2” reach, weighing in at 1/2-lb… the Super-Flyweight Ecclesiastical Champion of the World, from Niles, Illinois...Sister Mary Punchyerlightsout….

From iZoom®, our light source of choice, comes this tiny flood that lights way above its weight. Hard to believe (but true) that such a small package is rated for a staggering 500 lumens with (21) white LEDs that have a 30,000-hour life. It’s also indoor/outdoor weatherproof! Measures just 5” x 3-1/8” x approx 1-1/4” with a booted power switch and gasketed battery compartment for the (3) included “AA”s. Includes an adjustable C-bracket for hanging, standing or mounting to the included 4” x 5” base. Should run for a steady 2-1/2 hours on fresh batteries.

Just like the classic Yankee drill, but for the kitchen. Has that “as seen on the television” kinda feel. You push the handle of this 10” long spring-loaded whisk and it spins clockwise on the push, and reverses when you let up on it. The 10-tine stainless steel head is 2-1/8” dia at the bottom x 2-1/8” long, with a little center pin to keep the tines just off the bottom of the bowl or jar or whatever.

Looking for an easy-to-understand introduction to the world of open-source Arduino coding? Snapino™ from Elenco’s Snap Circuits® line is for you or your favorite gift receiver. Fully-compatible with Arduino UNO boards, standard shields, common components and other Snap Circuits® sets, your projects can grow as your knowledge and skills do, too. Includes (20) projects advancing in complexity to gradually familiarize you with coding and building projects. For use with Windows, Mac or Linux systems, you'll need to download the latest Arduino application and Snapino programs. Includes various modules, LEDs, resistors, jumpers, USB cord and a battery holder for the 9V battery that you’ll add.