BEST SELLERS

Among other things. (Sorry, no oranges.) Our each is a set of (4) laser-cut moving wooden gear models from U-Gears®, including a cat, a tractor, a human head and a heart. You like to fidget? Us, too. Each has (6) or (7) laser-cut parts and will fit in the palm of your hand when finished. They’re like worry beads in that you'll find yourself playing with them to help you inch toward inner peace. They’re press-fit, so no glue or tools needed. For ages 5 and up.

This classic spin-art set is just like the ones you see at art fairs except it's battery-free because you just press the little bar to spin the wheel. Includes the “Art Machine,” base tray, spin plate, spatter shield, supply holder, (4) tubes of paint, (6) mounting cards, (20) blank white sheets, (1) brush, and instructions. Just like the one Leonardo would have designed if he'd thought of it. Plus, it’s a S.T.E.A.M. kit. For ages 4+.

Most of your Tyrannosaurus rex models just stand there, looking all rexish, but this 4-1/2" tall molded rubber dinosaur model is posable, with articulated legs, tail and jaw. It’s like he was made to star in your stop-motion animated Dino-epic. Better get a pair or you won’t be able to film any tender couple-in-love moments or battles.

Making stuff crystal clear is boring. Grow your own red, blue or purple crystals with these amazing Magical Crystal growing kits. You get approx 4 oz of mono-ammonium crystal, a 2-3/8" dia concave base, some appropriate food coloring flakes, a 3-3/4" x 2-3/4" dia clear plastic container, mixing stick and instructions. Ages 8+.

From Metal Earth®, the people who make shiny metal 3D models, now comes the Doctor Who metal models. All punch-outs with no glue or soldering required. You pick: the Golden Dalek, at 2-1/4” x 3” x 1-1/4”; or the Blue Tardis model at 1-5/8” square x 3-1/4” tall. And if you don’t know what a Dalek or Tardis  is, you shouldn’t even be reading this. These are challenging models, so rated for all ages over 14.

Take the pieces in this motorized robot kit and you can make a 6-legged cricket, a gear-driven trailer, a two-legged rolling beastie or a grandfather. And all of them are as cute as robot buttons, especially the bobble-headed grampa. From OWI, the robot people. Sizes vary, but he’ll stand 10-1/2” tall. You add (1) “AA” battery for power. Solderless, but bring a screwdriver and side cutters.

Wood or wooden you like to never see another pun on wood or wooden? Too bad--we’re not even trying to quit. Meanwhile, you can try this wooden wiggling fish automaton that you crank to move. Made from laser-cut pieces that you peg or glue together, it will measure 10-1/4” x 8-1/4” x 4-3/8” when finished. Comes with instruction booklet, glue, sandpaper and wax.

Impressive, this 3-foot Lizard King. The 1:14 scale plastic model of a Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton has 51 bones that snap together, then snap apart easily for later use, which is more than you can say about the original. Measures 36" long, and comes with a display stand. Bones are nicely aged for paleontological verisimilitude. Very nice kit, with legs, as they say! For ages 8 and up.

Please Note: Your entire order will ship standard ground when purchasing this item. Contact us for expedited shipping information. Thanks!

From Fascinations®, these small model kits are made from intricately laser-cut polished steel. Punch the pieces out from the 4-1/4" square sheet and put them together with the tiny tabs. You pick the dragonfly, with a 4-1/2" wingspan or the Black Pearl pirate ship, approx 3-1/2" long. For ages 14+, because they take plenty of small motor skills.

Actually, it's a set of (36) different little polished gemstones and minerals from around the world, all identical sizes (1/2" x 3/8" x 1/8" thick), mounted and identified by name and origin on an 8" x 10" card. Super nice at a super price, for teachers, designers or jewelry makers. The set includes amazonite, amethyst, aventurine, black obsidian, blue lace agate, buttermilk jasper, carnelian, Dalmatian dacite, dumortierite, fancy jasper, fluorite, gold stone, hematite, howlite, jadeite, lapis, leopard skin jasper, mahogany,obsidian, moss agate, nephrite, Picasso jasper, orange calcite, picture jasper, rainbow jasper, rose quartz, rhodonite, rock crystal, rhyolite, red jasper, snowflake obsidian, sodalite, serpentine, tiger eye stone, turquoise and unakite.

It's the classic Spirograph®, which is a lot of intricate round mandala-like designs floating around out there. Celebrate with one of our spirographic specials. You pick: the Travel Spirograph® in a flip-lid case with a 2-3/8" ID ring in the lid and (4) assorted wheels, a cross, an oblate spheroid, red and blue pens, a design guide and a 24-sheet pad of  3" square paper or the Deluxe Spirograph® with (19) assorted wheels, (2) rings, an oval rail, oblate spheroid, triangle, red and blue and green pens, a reusable putty to hold the paper, a 14-page design book and a 20-sheet pad of 8-1/2" x 11" paper.

Nothing beats sterilized owl pellets for the edification of budding biologists. These are from barn owls and they're domestic, yurped up by your American barn owls, each with a skeleton inside. Keep them refrigerated to keep the moths away. Most are approx 1-1/2" to 2" long.

From Elenco®, than whom nobody is cleverer, this MECH5 kit--a STEM kit--will make (5) robots, all of which use a mechanical coding wheel instead of software. They perform tasks, including forward, back 45 or 90 degrees, left or right turns, and modes to make bots draw circles, throw or push a ball, grip things, or act as a forklift. You add (2) “AAA” batteries for the small DC motor. Kit has (220+) pieces and the finished bots will be approx 6” tall. Ages 10+, but it’s intricate enough to need some adult help unless the kid is a genuine whiz-bang.

You can’t beat a nice fossil for helping you forget about the present. Transcend the 21st century with: a fossilized shark tooth, between 1-1/2” and 2”, dating from the Eocene to Cretaceous ages, which is even before chicken fingers; or a nice 3/4” chunk of dinosaur bone from the Colorado Rocky Mountains, dating from the Mesozoic era, and it was broken when we found it, honest.

Agates are the rock stars of the rock world. Let us pick a pretty one for you, why don't you? We'll select a hunk approx 3" dia, maybe about a third of a pound, that's been cut in half and polished to a high gloss so it's all smooth and beautiful with colorful layers inside. These are dyed to enhance their natural colors. Our choice of colors.

Your favorite animated TV stars in a building-brick scenario, ready for you to assemble, complete with their spaceship and garage. Includes a whopping 293 pieces, detailed instructions and genuine decals. Licensed by the creators themselves. Did we mention that it's compatible with those other building-brick systems? You bet it is. Wubba lubba dub dub! For ages 14+.

Cases for mounting butterflies, bugs, rocks, fossils or any other three dimensional collectibles. Known as Riker mounts, these are sturdy cardboard boxes 7/8" deep, with glass glued into the front cover for viewing. They are filled with a fairly firm, white, expanded, synthetic, cotton–like material. The cushiony filler holds the three–dimensional viewee in place without pins or glue. Very handy for the proud trophy hunter. Our smaller is 8” x 12” and the larger 12” x 16–1/2”.

Why does it do that? Develop an elemental understanding of magnetism, electromagnetism, electrochemistry, radio, thermodynamics, light and optics. Simon Quellen Field's 228-page paperback, Gonzo Gizmos, Projects & Devices to Channel your Inner Geek explains processes, equipment and scientific terms -- and then, for starters, tells you things like how to make a rotary steam engine in 15 minutes from a soda can, a candle and a few scraps of rubber tubing. It's the favorite of our resident geeks -- but not for kids unless they're working with an adult. That would be a mature adult. An insured, mature adult.