This multi-bot 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 solar-powered projects including: a turtle-bot; walker bot; quadru bot; wheel bot; boat bot; beetle bot; dog bot; auto bot; carb bot; slither bot; roly poly bot; surf bot; and, you should pardon the pun, the row bot. 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.

Do your kids think the whole world snaps together? Time to get them the Steel Works, a classic steel construction set from Schylling not unlike those erecting sets of yore. Has more than (300) pieces, including beams, plates, angles, nuts, bolts, washers and more, along with instructions for making an airplane, helicopter, dump truck, satellite truck, fire truck, forklift, claw truck, gyrocopter, bulldozer and backhoe. Includes wrenches and a hex key. Models have mechanical actions triggered by wheel movement. Parts are interchangeable with any other Schylling Steel Works kit. For ages 8+.

Lego® goes crazy with this 100+ piece kit with everything you need to build (16) different contraptions (be pretty stupid if they made 16 of the same contraption) for your amusement. In the mix are gears, pulleys, belts and axles, which you could turn into a rocket racer, Lego® launcher, donkey cart or scissor grabber, among other things. Includes a 50-page spiral-bound graphically illustrated instruction booklet. And, yes, adding Lego® pieces of your own just ramps up the fun.

Nice little pulley unit kit includes (1) pulley each at 50, 30, 25 and 20mm and (3) pulleys at 11mm, plus myriad bushings, a 3VDC motor, (2) belts and a belt guide, base, mounts and assorted hardware. Includes graphic assembly instructions, plus a couple of rudimentary drawings with suggested projects. It's a mechanical science project waiting for a home.

You're in for weeks and months of fun creating Rube Goldberg-like versions of the new VorteX 3.0, a Techno Gears Marble Mania machine. You get over (300+) colorful pieces including baseplates, 3-D connectors, channels, tubes, gears, marble twister and a marble funnel to create intricate tracks to move marbles around, down, over and through the maze. Includes a battery-operated 2-foot tall marble launcher that makes the whole thing automatic so you can sit back and watch your creation run by itself.  A STEM kit that challenges problem solving skills and expands knowledge of mechanics and engineering. You add (3) "AA" batteries and a capacity for twisted thinking.

One story, one entrance. Small perch-porch. Our pine birdhouse kit comes with glue, paint (red, yellow, blue and white), and a chain to hang it with. Just under 5” tall when finished with a 1-1/8” ID front door. Only approx 2/3 of a square foot of living space, but birds like cozy.

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. Note: Please don’t propel small mammals, and please don’t put anyone’s eye out.

Make a whole bunch of fun and instructive Lego® machines/chain reaction models like marble runs and mousetraps involving ramps, buckets, funnels balances and much more. Comes with (33) Lego® elements, (6) Lego® balls, a dozen paper props, and a 78-page instruction booklet for (10) machines. You add a few common household items. Includes suggestions for more complicated devices if you have your own Lego® pieces, and if you don't, what are you waiting for? ! WARNING: CHOKING HAZARD–Small Parts. Not for children under 3 yrs. 

Return with us now to those thrilling days of the 15th century, when Leonardo was designing stuff you wouldn't have thought of even if you'd paid attention in class and applied yourself. You choose from these wooden models of his genius designs. His unrealized aerial screw (think helicopter) stands approx 15" tall on a 9" square base and has a canvas canopy. Includes a 12-page manual and all the parts. For ages 9+. You’ll need glue, scissors and a ruler. The trebuchet (think catapult) is based on his original 1482 design, stands approx 24" tall x 12-3/4" x 4-1/2" and comes with all the parts, including a clay ball to launch at your favorite model castle, or your sister. Includes an 8-page instruction book and is for ages 12+. Bring glue, scissors, a ruler and some small clamps. His wooden armored tank, for ages 8+, will be about 8” across and 6-5/8” tall when you glue the (87) pieces together. Great resources for STEM activities.

One--they’re made of laser-cut, press-fit wood so you don’t need tools or glue. Two--their working pistons and gears are so intricate and precise you might be surprised they’re just wood. Three--you’re tired of models that just sit there looking pretty. You pick: Pneumatic Engine or Mechanical Timer. Engine kit is (81) pieces at 1:87 scale. Add a simple balloon to operate its pistons. Finished model will measure approx 6-1/4” x 3” x 4” tall. Timer kit is (107) pieces and will be 6-7/8” x 3-3/16” x 10-1/16” tall, and run for (20) minutes on rubber bands. Moving gears are completely visible. Both kits made in Ukraine.