Build one yourself and learn about pneumatic and hydraulic technology in the process. The Thames & Kosmos® Mega Cyborg Hand kit is 2020 Astra Best Toys for Kids winner comes with a (52)-page color manual, (203) pieces and (5) experiments. The detachable thumb makes it left- or right-handed, although it's always going to have just (3) fingers, which is all robotic paws really need. Hand is adjustable to 160 degrees, and every finger adjusts to different angles, too, for precision movement. Control knob allows for up to 70-degree extension. No motors or batteries needed—just hydraulics and your own hand. You add some common household tools for assembly. Ages 7+..

Please note: Limit 3 per customer per order. Jarvis says ordering more will result in failure at checkout.

UGears® is the model company that specializes is wooden steampunk versions of otherwise simple objects, perfect for perfectionist painstakers who revel in constructing complicated kits. (You know who you are.) In this case, you pick: the (43) piece Steampunk Clock, a beautiful collection of gears, lacy ornament, flowers, stars and a moon that you make into an imitation clock approx 2" x 3" x 5" when done; or the Wheel Organizer, the world's most delightfully complicated desktop pencil and pen holder. The (51) parts include wheels, gears and slots that deliver the pencil of choice when you turn the big ship-like wheel. Finished model will be 4-1/3" x 3-1/2" x 3-2/3". No glue or special tools needed, and you can paint or stain them if you like.

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+.

We’re all out of crystal balls, but can we interest you in a UGears® Date Navigator kit? It’s a 21-piece interactive, kinetic, wooden puzzle that has labels for the year, month, date and day of the week. A kid can build it in about 20 minutes and then use it to reveal future mysteries, such as what day of the week someone’s birthday will be in the year 2036 (or any year up to 2044). Cool, huh? It’s not just a science project. They can also paint it (art!), making it their own personalized time machine (sort of). Circular, measuring approx 4” dia x 1” thick. Nice display piece for a desk or shelf. Pieces are pre-cut, so no glue or special tools needed. Ages 5+.

It doesn't get much cooler in the robotic-arm-kit game. The assembled STEM educational arm is 15" tall x 9" long x approx 3-1/2" wide. It's 2-pronged hand opens to 1-3/4", lifts up to 3.5 oz (100g), swings 120 degrees at the wrist, pivots 300 degrees at the elbow, and sits on a base that swings 180 degrees up and down and rotates 270 degrees, like, well, an arm. Controlled by (5) 2-axis joy-sticks and powered by (4) D-Cell batteries that you provide. Includes a hand-mounted search light and over-torque and gear-breakage alarms, which is more than your arm has. Requires a diagonal cutter and Philips screwdriver for assembly of its 200+ pieces and is made for ages 12 and up.

Right after you build your own working medieval catapult or trebuchet. All you’ll need is glue, scissors and a steady hand (plus a small bag of marbles or rocks or something as a counterweight for the trebuchet) to construct these wooden, Canadian-made siege engine kits. The catapult stands 6” tall x 5” wide x 10” long and will toss assorted stuff 15 feet or farther, depending upon the stuff. The finished trebuchet will be 26” long x 18” wide x 24” tall and will propel small objects (meatballs?) 20 feet or more. Both include detailed instructions and are great resources for STEM activities. For ages 9+. Note: Please don’t propel small mammals, and please don’t put anyone’s eye out.

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.

Start your children on the path to learning the basic concepts of solar tech. This multi-bot STEM education solar kit includes a 1.5V solar cell, a small DC motor and gearbox and a boatload of parts that will let you make (14) different comical and functional land and water solar-powered projects including: TortoiseBOT; SlinkerBOT; FourBOT; SurferBOT; PaddleBOT; WalkR-BOT; Big Wheeler BOT; CarBOT; TumblerBOT; BugBOT; K9BOT; MonsterBOT; CrabbyBOT and, you should pardon the pun, the RowingBOT. No, really--there's a row bot. Projects come in (2) levels of difficulty and include an 81pp graphic manual. You'll need a hobby knife or a pair of side-cutters, and sunlight. Most projects will be approx 5" tall when assembled.

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.

Sounds like a Europop group, but it’s actually your new tumbling pet. Also bristles his spines, rolls, spins and scurries. He’ll be a tad bigger than a baseball when assembled. The prewired circuitry is triggered by an audio sensor that will make him do multiple tricks when you applaud, and who else do you know who’ll do that? The solderless assembly, with over (170) parts, might be a tad challenging for the listed 7-10+ age, so we suggest some supervision. From Thames & Kosmos. You add (4) “AAA”s. (And he’s a hedgehog, so don’t expect him to share the hedge if you have one.)