Give kids a break from their screens with The Book of Ingeniously Daring Chemistry, a (241)-page hardcover edition with (24) experiments for young scientists. They’ll learn how to create hot ice, make a fossil or crystal, and conduct electricity with a pencil, among other things. Many of the greatest hits of chemistry are included—you know, hydrogen, helium, boron, carbon, nitrogen, oxygen—and there’s an illustration on just about every page. Author Sean Connolly is popular among the science kids and gives clear explanations along with the experiments so real learning can occur.

You’ll never feel like a hack with this 16” quick-refill tension hacksaw from Great Neck. It’s all metal with a rubber handle grip, and it includes a standard 1/2” fine-tooth blade. (replacements available at any hardware store) A thumb release on the handle swings it open to quickly discharge the old blade for replacement. No screwing around here! Celebration cake not included, but you won’t even need a separate knife.

If we had a dollar for every bike light we’ve broken, lost or had stolen, we could build our own bike light factory. You never have to sweat a bike light mishap with these safety lights since they go for under 3 bucks each, batteries and all. Lights are white or red and run on (included) button cell batteries. Energy-efficient and water-resistant, with 30 lumens and (3) modes: solid, slow strobe and fast strobe. Plastic clip makes them easy to attach to clothes.

And don’t take any wooden nickels! We love the old sayings, but we love this new phosphorescent, glow-in-the-dark powder even more. Comes in (3) colors—green, pink and yellow—and we’ll pick one for you. It’ll arrive in a nice, 5” clear plastic test tube with a screw-on cap. Ideal for crafts, haunted houses, raves and more. You mix it with a medium of your choice and let the fun begin. It’s the cat’s meow! Instructions included.

We totally dig these STEAM dig kits, which allow kids to dig relics out of sandstone. You pick. The Ancient Maya and Ancient Greece kits each include a 5-1/2” x 4” x 1” sandstone block with a gold artifact pressed into it and contain (3) ancient relics, a dusting brush, a dual-ended digging tool, a magnifying glass and a full-color information and instruction manual. The U.S. Treasure Mining kit includes 9" x 5" USA-shaped sandstone with state boundaries and initials, a wooden mallet, a magnifier, a cloth storage bag, and a 7" x 11" full-color map of the U.S. listing the rocks, minerals and fossils to dig out, and where they’re from. The back side lists all 50 states and their gems, minerals and stones Ages 8+. All (3) kits include a dusting brush and digging tool. Ages 8+ for Maya and Greece. Ages 6+ for Treasure Mining. ! WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD–Small Parts. Not for children under 3 yrs

Picture yourself on a boat in a river: tangerine trees, marmalade skies, the whole deal. Sound good? Now give that view to a child with the Dabble Lab™ Rainbow Prism Kaleidoscope kit. Lucy wishes she had this STEAM kit with (3) markers, (1) cardboard scope, (3) paper mirrors, (25) acrylic gemstones, and instructions to build her very own kaleidoscope. So fun that kids won’t even realize the kit’s teaching them about physics, engineering and interactive play. Ages 6+. ! WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD–Small Parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.

Also known as the “Abominable Snowman”, our 5" x 4-1/2" wide Yeti is a legendary creature from the folklore of the Himalayan region. Often described as an ape-like creature with white fur, the legend of the Yeti has long endured in the colder regions of East Asia. Very detailed (We think) and fun to play with. 

This hard-plastic ducky is like a rubber ducky, but with a pull-back mechanism that makes it roll on its own. Who doesn’t love a pull-back duck? In authentic rubber-ducky yellow with (2) rubber wheels on the bottom, independent suspension and no fuel required. No batteries, either. This thing basically drives itself. Let’s see a rubber ducky do that.

If that corner drawer in your kitchen is like ours, you’ve got tons of batteries wedged between the takeout menus, matchbooks and packets of soy sauce. Test them (the batteries) with this compact battery tester, and toss the duds. Tests 1.5V “AAA”, “AA”, “C”, “D” and 9V with a color-coded analog gauge marked simply “Good, Low, Replace.” A similar tester for relationships is still in R&D.

This Swiss army rucksack is one sharp item, but it’s nothing like a knife, being that, again, it’s a rucksack. It’s the Swiss M90 bag, olive drab, made partly of water-resistant rubber, with suspenders and plenty of other loops, straps, buckles and harnesses. Measures approx 13-1/2” x 7-1/2” x 4-1/2” with a rigid bar across the back for stability, and a lower-back pad for comfort. Has (2) extendable side pockets approx 9” x 4” x 4” each, and the interior pocket has an upward-extending cinch sack. It’s a hell of a bag.

There are cables and there are monster cables. These monster cables are actual Monster® cables, premium coaxial RG-6 cables with a Duraflex™ jacket, metal housings and gold-plated connectors. Use them for televisions, broadband/high-speed modems, satellite receivers, antennas and home theater. UL-CL2 rated for in-wall and outdoor uses. You pick: the 6-foot-long or 12-foot-long cable.

Now your kids can practice wilderness survival in the safety of their own home. This KidzLabs™ Survival Science Kit includes (30) pieces that will teach and demonstrate the science of wilderness survival, but hopefully won’t be actually required to save someone’s life. It’s always good to practice, though. Contains components to make a telescope, sundial, torch, Morse code flashlight (Batt. included), water purifier, compass, reflective mirror, whistle and magnifier. Comes with a carrying case, too. We’re not going to tell you how to parent your kids, but if you want to drop them off in the woods for their own good, we saw nothing. “Hey, where’d everyone go? Well, at least I have this Survival Science Kit!” Ages 9+. ! WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD–Small Parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.

With this nice hot and cold laminating machine, and the included (50) thermal laminating sheets, you can protect your documents and still see them at a glance. Comes with a cutter, corner rounder and hole-punch, which works for single holes and (3)-ring binders. Unit measures approx 12” x 4” x 2-1/2” tall, which means it fits on pretty much any desktop, and has a 230mm inlet that’s 9” wide (A4 size). You’ll get (10) A4, (15) A5 and (25) A6 laminating sheets. Surely you have documents, cards and photos to preserve.

Where you use this lightweight, machine-washable 100% cotton apron is up to you. Works great in the shop, garage or kitchen, in stylish black with (2) front pockets approx 7” x 6”, and an adjustable neck strap. Also has extra-long 37" waist ties for comfort and waist expansion due to improved cooking. Measures approx 32” x 20” overall. One size fits most.

We don’t do food here, so we’re sorry if you thought this was licorice. It’s actual rope, in the actual color red—bright red!—and originally intended to come with a with a grappling hook, which explains the hefty attached locking carabiner. Rope measures a heafty 1/4” dia but has no markings, so we make no claims or promises. You’ll get approx 50 feet of rope. Great heavy duty rope at a great price.

At least that’s what someone told us in junior high. And now we can do it again with this giant rubber earthworm that’s 1" wide at its plumpest x 15" long. Unlike our worm in junior high, this one stretches to more than 7 feet! Don’t stretch it too long or you might rip it. And keep it off painted walls, fabric and wood, because like real worms, it might stain. Also comes with educational facts on the package so you can learn while you pull. Ages 3+. ! WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD–Small Parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.

Help protect your eyes from harmful computer light with these blue light blocking Glasses. Wear them when working on your laptop, desktop, or tablet to help filter blue light. Why? Because keeping your eyes safe from blue light helps you focus better, sleep better, and helps reduce eyestrain. Each pair comes in stylish black plastic frames and includes a microfiber cleaning cloth. 

Using simplified forensic facial reconstruction techniques, you build and sculpt the head of Nefertiti with the supplied modeling clay and tools. Bet you didn’t see that coming! The Egyptian queen’s plastic skull has molded muscles and depth-marker pegs, so you knoiw how much clay to apply to each area for just the right contours. Add the molded eyes, nose, lips, ears and eyebrows, and the rest of the accessories, and the queen practically comes back to life. Has a sturdy stand, and material to re-create that signature hat of hers.

For the budding engineer, this solar/hybrid-powered Rover Robot from 4M® is a (2)-wheel vehicle with parts that look like eyes and hands. Kinda cute. It’s a STEAM kit, so science-minded kids will love it, and it operates on both battery and solar power, depending on where the sun is. Includes all parts (motor, gears, solar panel) and instructions. Requires (1) “AAA” battery, which you supply, but no soldering required. This would be a nice, satisfying challenge for a budding yet somewhat experienced kit-making kid. Ages 6+. ! WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD–Small Parts. Not for children under 3 yrs.

Remember when your mom told you not to bring the radio into the bathtub? She was right, but that was before these floating dry bags with a Bluetooth® speaker and a solar, multi-color LED light. Made of rubberized material with a gusseted bottom, a roll top with a molle buckle and an adjustable shoulder strap, ours are from Sungear. Great for the beach, pool, hiking, camping, rafting, kayaking, boating and outdoorsing. Compatible with Android and IOS phones. You pick: the (10)-liter bag measuring 12” x 20”, or the (20)-liter bag measuring 14” x 24”.

Bigger than a baseball across the top, this is one ginormous jewel. You pick a clear or translucent-sky-blue, 24% lead crystal, cut-glass gem. It’s 3-1/8” dia at the top, tapering to point 2-1/8” deep. Could be mounted in a stunning, but really, really, really big engagement ring.

Based on drawings from Da Vinci's Codex Atlanticus, this Pathfinders catapult kit uses a pair of bent wooden arms as springs to launch clay balls (included) over (4) meters at enemy fortifications (not included, go make your own enemies). The assembled model will be approx 9" tall on a 10" x 7-1/4" base. Made from pre-cut, untreated wood from sustainable forests, and built with pegs for added strength and verisimilitude. A 2013 Creative Child Magazine Top Toy of the Year Winner and a great resource for STEM activities. For ages 12 and up.

To heat what is anybody's guess, but it's a U-shaped heating element, 8-3/8" x 2-5/8" x 1/4" dia with a 107 Ohm Resistance and rubber grommets above the 3/16" wide power terminals. When CJ heated it up to 120F, those grommets got gooey, so he says use lower voltage DC.

But that’s a very good thing in this case. These collapsible, reusable, BPA-free, food-grade silicone straws are approx 9-3/4” long, but fold up to fit into a 1-3/4” x 2-3/4” carrying pod with a carabiner. Attach it to your keys, belt, backpack or anyplace handy and you’ll never have to use a throwaway straw again. Good for over a thousand slurping sessions with hot or cold drinks, and you’ll get a collapsible cleaning brush with every straw. Our each is (4) light gray, pink, navy blue or aqua straws in matching cases, which we’ll pick because we have impeccable taste.

110-120vac 6w 10psi n/c solenoid valve from Parker. Take outs from unused coffee makers so they are brand spanking new. Measure 2-1/4" x 2-1/8" x 1-1/2" overall with a 1-3/4" x 1-3/8" x 1" L bracket and two right angle ports with a 3/16" barbs (1/8" id) coming out of a 2" x 1" dia. Has two spade terminals for power. Parker knows their valves and these are beauties. mfg. p/n 15-200340-001 "b"

You need this. Anybody who's ever made a third trip to the hardware store on the same day needs this. The (100) -- count 'em, (100) -- chrome vanadium driver and bit attachments include slotted, Phillips, square (Robertson) head, torx, hex and 12-point bits, plus security Phillips, torx and hex, and (4) different driver adapters (one of which, a super-cute cup-hook driver, has us oddly excited). They're all in a flip-top plastic case. How come it's surplus? If you turn it upside down and shake it, some of the bits fall out of their little size-marked slots. So don't do that. Or stick a thin sheet of foam inside it and all will be well.

More fun than a canned ham, this flip-top storage tin has a train set inside, with a plastic steam engine, tender, boxcar and caboose, as well as a 12-piece track that forms a 10" x 22" oval. Tin and train car colors may vary. You add a "AA" battery and you're the engineer. 

Zivko the Robot is back in stock! Our best selling STEM kit ever! Just call her (or him--it’s unclear and we don’t like to ask) “Zivko” because “the Robot” is her last name. Using just a screwdriver and side cutters, you build Zivko from this 107-piece S.T.E.M. kit. Set the mode for “Follow Me” or “Explore,” and Zivko will, yes, track you, or evade obstacles, respectively, via an infrared sensor and micro-controller programming. Interactive LEDs and sounds abound. Measures approx 5" x 5-1/2" x 6-1/2" when assembled with all (6) legs. You add (4) “AAA”s for power, which is the least you can do for someone this cute. Ages 10+.

Our coolest ruler, hands down. It’s dark blue plastic, T-shaped, and packed with information. It’s an American Wire Gauge and a screw-size gauge. It measures UTS and ISO screw pitch, has SMD capacitor info, conversion scales, transistor and diode diagrams. It has a list of SI prefixes, digital logic gates, logic identities, electrical units and abbreviations, colors and wavelengths, transmission line equations, a protractor, a breadboard and tons more. If you’re not into that stuff, use it a 13”/33cm ruler. Measures 15" x 6-1/4” x 1/16" overall, and you might need a magnifier to read some of it. Made in the USA.

What do rotary tools have in common with fashionistas? Yes, it really is all about accessorizing. This set includes (20) shading bands, (10) fiberglass cut-off wheels, (21) assorted grinding stones, (3) polishing wheels, (45) woolen wheels and points, (36) silicone cut-off wheels, (60) sanding discs, (6) brushes, (5) diamond burrs, (8) high-speed steel burrs and drills, (3) mandrels and some polishing paste, all have a 1/8" shaft and come in a dandy wooden case. Case measures approximately 12-3/8" x 5-3/8" x 1-3/4" and counts as one of the 228 pieces, we swear. Check out our best selling rotary tool here.

Triops: way cooler, bigger and more active than sea monkeys. They're dinosaur shrimp, leftovers from some 200 million years ago. Don't eat them; just grow them and enjoy this bizarre & ancient display of nature! In the kit you get a kidney-shaped tank 2-3/8" tall x 8-1/2"x 5-3/4", a very informative instruction booklet, and a packet full of triops eggs and food. In the starter pack/refill pack you get tripos eggs, food, conditioner and directions. Add the eggs to water and watch them go; they'll hatch in a day and reach 1" to 2" or more in a few weeks. Really easy to do, and really cool too.

Alas, we do, too, and here’s another one—made of foam. Quite realistic-looking due to the weathered color and texture, it has most of its teeth, all of its fissures, and deep, creepy eye sockets. A must-have for the Halloween season, productions of Hamlet and Gothic interior design. Very lightweight so it would also work for macabre indoor volleyball. The flat bottom means it will sit right up on your (actual) desktop as a procrastination deterrent.

As beautiful as the world is, it can be a pretty gross place. Bacteria and viruses are everywhere. If you have about a cubic foot of space to spare, your days of handling germ-smeared gear are over. This Sweety Fox UV Light Sanitizer Box is like a dishwasher for gadgets, a laundromat for accessories, and it measures a space-saving 11” x 11” x 11”. Open the top lid and place your phone, keys, eyeglasses, baby pacifiers or bottles, wallets, credit cards, facemasks, jewelry, makeup containers, hand sanitizer dispensers, toothbrushes or anything else like that inside. Choose a cycle—sterilizer, dryer or antibacterial—and let the UV light wipe your things clean. Kills 99.9% of the germs of viruses and bacteria. Do something productive and come back when the timed cycle ends. Our price makes it a no-brainer, but you could have guessed that. It's 4-different modes include, Auto mode, sterilizer mode that has 3 timed options of 11,16 and 21 minutes, a dryer function that has 2 timed options of 41 and 51 minutes and a storage mode. 6' cord and is ETL listed.  

Much more fashion-forward than those helmets, these NASA caps are the ones astronauts wear for the annual softball game against the cosmonauts, or to walk their dogs on the space station. In black, it's made of 100% brushed cotton twill, low-profile and adjustable. The front panel is reinforced with buckram to give it structure. The familiar NASA “worm” logo is stitched in white on the front. Classic.

If standard utility knives had a big brother, this Morris auto load utility knife & folding sport blade would be it. Solid tool here, folks. Has a curved handle with a comfortable, slip-resistant grip, and a safety overlap handle for heavy-duty cutting. Retractable blade locks in (3) positions, and handle stores up to (8) blades, included. Also has a sport blade (like a large pocket knife), which flips out at the press of a button and locks in place. Utility blades are quick-change, and most standard ones will fit.

Christmas Is In The Bag.  Have a white Christmas and add a little holiday cheer without tree shopping or trimming parties with this pre-lit artificial mini-pine all white LED tree. Stands a proud 23” tall on a little burlap sack and illuminates with embedded white LED lights. Great for party center pieces, small apartments or as a gift to a Bing Crosby fan. Yes, it’s AS&S Elf-approved. Requires (2) for it's plastic holder that lasted an astounding 2 weeks at 24/7. Get Energizers here. Click.

Not when you’ve got this puppy at your side. Our latest and greatest COB LED flashlight is 7" long, rated up to 2,000 lumens with a visible distance of 100 meters. Has three modes—max, low, and strobe—and is focusable, but the best part is not needing to hunt for batteries because it has a built-in rechargeable battery rated at 2,200 mAh. Just plug it into a USB charger and you’re good to go when you need it. The real best part is it has a second USB port to charge your phone or other devices, which makes it nice for camping, fishing or other adventures. How’s that for handy!?

One pen, ten colors. Develop complicated note-taking systems, or just send colorful hate mail with this 6-1/4" long ballpoint with cartridges in black, orange, dark green, purple, light green, red, brown, magenta, blue and aqua. Slide the button of the matching color to write, push the top down to release it. Assorted colored barrels.

This 16" long x 7" insulated drawstring cooler bag was originally intended as an outdoor faucet socket in frigid climates. Made by 3M it uses their Thinsulate™ technology to keep out the warm or cold. Because of it's size, we think it makes a great cooler bag for the beach, camping, office, school...should we continue? Fits plenty of beverages at a time and how about a sandwich, chips and thermos. Wow, who knew?

Stainless steel mortar and pestle set. Mortar measures 5-1/4” dia x 3” on a 4” dia attached saucer-like base. Holds approx 250ml. Pestle is 6-3/4” long with 1-1/4” and 2” dia heads. Nice for the lab, or for folks who want everything in their stainless steel kitchen to be stainless steel. You know who you are. And we salute you.