Kids will marvel at this fun toy that creates holograms — realistic three-dimensional images which look real but can’t be touched! The magic is in the parabolic mirror and its ability to take in and reflect light. Works with any small object — marbles, flowers, buttons, rings, coins and so much more! Teaches the science behind the parabolic mirror. Includes one plastic frog.
Author: FCA Editor
Storm Catcher Weather Laboratory
Kids will make their own wind gust/direction recorder, rain gauge, wearable compass, solar UV sensor and more with this fun and educational kit. Teaches kids about the cool science of meteorology, climate monitoring and solar radiation. Includes a full-color learning guide packed with activities and experiments. BONUS: high-tech solar band changes color when UV rays are present to keep kids aware of the dangers on sunlight.
Solar Balloon
Giant-sized solar science fun! This 50 foot long balloon soars high in the sky powered by the sun. Demonstrates buoyancy, convection, thermodynamics and solar power. Teaches Bernoullis Principle and Pascals Principle. Perfect start to a science project. Bright direct sunlight on a calm, cool day has the Solar Balloon soaring in just minutes. Includes one 50 foot long by 29″ diameter Solar Balloon, 400 feet of string, complete instructions and science learning guide. Made in USA.
Weather Wand
Weather Wand is a natural barometer that lets kids (and adults) easily predict the weather each and every day. Just hang on a pole or tree. Weather Wand will point up for good weather and point down for approaching bad weather. Teaches the background of weather sticks as used by Abenaki Indians. Teaches key weather terminology. Includes 1 Weather Wand, mounting instructions and a weather science guide. Made in USA.
Crocodile Snap
Crocodile Snap is a science kit and a toy in one. After kids build the fun circuit board game, they try to get the fish into the crocodiles’ mouths. Teaches about circuit building and promotes eye hand coordination and concentration skills. Encourages kids to experiment on their own for additional learning. High-quality parts snap together easily and can be taken apart to build the kit again and again. Includes a self-storing box and complete instructions.
SunArt Deluxe
All you need is sunshine, water and your creativity to make unique and beautiful sun art prints! Place natural objects like flowers, leaves, shells on the sun-sensitive paper. Add the foam letters to spell out a message. Use the enclosed dry erase markers to write or draw designs on the acrylic panel. Use pieces of the decorative clip art to embellish your designs. Set outside on a sunny or overcast day or even indoors in a sunny window. Sit back and watch as the sun turns the paper a beautiful blue! Everything needed to make 15 unique and beautiful sun art prints! Made in USA.
Fractiles Magnetic Tiling Toy, Travel Edition
Fractiles Travel Edition consists of 96 brilliantly colored, flexible MAGNETIC tiles, a sturdy 8″ x 8″ black textured steel activity board, and a color Illustrated double record album style package for storing the board and tiles.
Everyone can be an artist with Fractiles! This unique art and design toy allows you to create endless beautiful designs – both simple or complex. It’s a wonderful activity to help kids build their STEM skills (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). Last but not least, Fractiles is made entirely in the USA.
Boikido Wooden Multi-Activity Center
This easy to carry Multi-Activity Center is perfectly designed for young children. The bead coaster, shape sorter, maze, and puzzle are all crucial elements in developing hand-eye coordination, problem solving, and fine motor skills. Take it along wherever you go! Tested to meet European and U.S. safety standards.
My Friendship Bracelet Maker
My Friendship Bracelet Maker has revolutionized the time-honored tradition of bracelet exchange. Just slip a knot into the Butterfly Clip, place the threads in the string holder and begin knotting. My Friendship Bracelet Maker includes a convenient organizer for storing threads, plus 56 precut threads in 14 different colors to get kids started.
The Mensch on a Bench – Product Review
We all know about the Elf on the Shelf, don’t we? This new holiday tradition began in 2005 with a little storybook, then a little elf for each home, and recently a DVD. That is a fun tradition for Christian families, however now Jewish households can start a new holiday tradition as well with The Mensch on a Bench.
The illustrated book tells the (fictional) story of Moshe, who watched over the menorah for eight days for Judah and the Maccabees when they returned to the temple to celebrate their victory. The oil was only supposed to burn for a day however it lasted eight days and nights. Those nights Moshe volunteered to watch the menorah to make sure it stayed lit.
Moshe also made up a fun game with a “Dreidel” for the children, and generally made the days fun and kept the nights bright. He made them Latkes and kept everyone happy. What a mensch!
IF you’re Jewish you know what I’m talking about, but for the rest of you, let me explain. A Mensch is a person with a good heart who is happy to help others. He has integrity. A Dreidel is a little spinning top that was originally created from clay. And Latkes are potato pancakes. The Menorah, Dreidel, and Latkes are all part of the Jewish holiday of Chanukah.
The storybook comes with a 12 inch Mensch (on a removable bench) to watch over the Menorah and the household. He is a smiling little fellow, filled with love and joy and a big heart.
Neal Hoffman, the creator of The Mensch on a Bench, told me, “Two years ago my 6-year-old son, Jacob Maccabee Hoffman, asked for an Elf on a Shelf. I told him, ‘We are Jewish. We don’t do Elves on Shelves, we do Mensches on Benches.’ Once I said it a light bulb went off!”
So Neal used his background with Hasbro toys and developed a prototype of the Mensch and wrote the little storybook. A Kickstarter campaign was launched and last year their 1000 units sold out in 10 days.
Neal explained his entire concept to me. “The Mensch watches over a family’s Menorah and teaches the kids to have good values. One night of Chanukah, the Mensch has kids give presents to those in need, rather than receive a Mensch. He is a 12” doll and comes with a hardcover book. For those who can’t get enough of Moshe, they can order a 5 foot Mensch on a Bench from our website.”
This is a wonderful product for Jewish households who are often overlooked when it comes to holiday items. Now, The Mensch on a Bench can be part of a nice Jewish home and a holiday tradition. And, if you think Moshe is only for Chanukah, think again. Next Passover there is a new story coming out about Moshe – AfikoMensch.
It’s never to early or to late to start a new family tradition. If you are Jewish or have Jewish friends, this is the perfect gift. Life is better with a Mensch in the family.
And, for those who are keeping track, the large Mensch is made in the USA.
About the Author
Francine Brokaw has been covering all aspects of the entertainment business for 20 years. She also writes about technology and has been a travel writer for the past 12 years. She has been published in national and international newspapers and magazines as well as internet websites. She has written her own book, Beyond the Red Carpet The World of Entertainment Journalists, from Sourced Media Books.
Follow her on Twitter
Like her on Facebook