All proceeds from the Exploratorium Store support the activities of the Exploratorium. Stop by often — in person or on the web — and take a little science from the Exploratorium home with you for the holidays. Among them are:
Experiments
Tasty Science: Who knew science could taste so good? With this kit, you'll whip up cupcakes, cookies, candy, and more -- all in the name of science! Learn what makes cakes rise, candy crystallize, and more real chemistry that happens in the kitchen. Tasty Science is packed with ingredients, recipes, activity cards, a test tube laboratory, and lots more to explore the science of taste. $19.90
Explosive Experiments - The Kit: Chase away the summer doldrums with chemical chaos, fatal forces, and extremely explosive science. Based on Scholastic's best-selling Horrible Science books by Nick Arnold, this kit contains just what it promises -- science with a bang! Mad scientists-in-the-making will delight in assembling a fizz bomb, building an erupting volcano, firing up fantastic fireworks, or brewing seriously slimy snot (don't ask). A top-secret lab notebook full of horrible scientist secrets is included as is some equipment. Adult supervision is strongly recommended since some chemicals in the kit are considered safety hazards. Ages 10 and up. $39.95
Greenish - Automoblox Mini Design System: A new take on wooden toys, these feature future retro-car styling that fits in the palm of your hand. Car bodies are crafted in eco-friendly wood, and are a part of a design system with classic and modern elements that will be the collectible of the future. Its new universal connector system enables a rapid interchange of parts, further accentuating the fun factor of creating different car styles. The kit includes a sports car, a sedan and a pickup, and contains all the basics for getting started mixing and matching. $26.95
Duct Tape Wallet Kit: No animals are harmed for this wallet! This complete do-it-yourself kit makes it easy for everyone to make their own Duct Tape wallet, including materials and instructions and 6 bonus colors to create your own custom design. Garet Croft Stenson, the personal creator of over 30,000 Duct Tape Billfolds (called Ductbills) paid his way through college by handcrafting and selling over 30,000 of this funny durable product and now he's sharing the secret for those who want to make their own. $21.95
Paper Factory: Done right (or wrong), making paper is lots of sloppy fun, but gathering all the necessary components can be tedious. The Paper Factory kit includes everything (except a blender) that an aspiring papermaker needs -- even ribbon, glitter, and a flower mold. There's an easy-to-read instruction booklet, but if you're the type who hates to read directions, you can find the video how-to for this ancient art just by searching for "Paper Factory by Alex Toys" on YouTube. Ages 7 and up. $18.95
Scivolino (Marble Run): Click clack -- there goes another marble down the track. Kids 4 years and up will enjoy building and rebuilding this cleverly designed marble run. The 16 pipes are made from environmentally friendly bamboo—a giant, natural grass—which, when stacked with plastic rings, echo the look of bamboo in the wild. Six bamboo rails create pathways along which 16 brightly colored marbles can roll until they emerge to be corralled in a rope circle, ready for another ride on the rails. A rope and bamboo handle make Scivolino’s sturdy box into a great carry-along. $29.95
Games and Toys - The Towel Origami Pack: Why stop with paper when it comes to Origami? Here, for the first time, is everything you need to create towel origami of cuddly creatures, presented in a tiny box. Even the towels! Just add water to the two magic towels, flex your fingers, open the instruction book, and you're set to go. Choose from 12 irresistible animals and leave them as guest towels on visitor's beds as just one of countless uses for a charming skill. $16.99
Ick, the Game: In this lightning-quick card game of gooey worms, toxic slime and bug-eyed beasties, you and your horde of monsters must race to get your paws on as much gross stuff as possible, but watch out—your opponents can swipe your stuff with the turn of a card! $15.95
Electric Plane Launcher: Designed at Middlesex University, one of the leading universities in the UK recognized for innovation in education, this kit is ideal for exploring paper plane designs. Discover how spinning motors and plastic discs are used to launch a paper plane at up to 50 km/hour. Designed to demonstrate scientific concepts, it's also a cool executive toy. For 14 or up or younger with adult supervision. $15.95
Mini Water Vortex: Take home a mini version of the Exploratorium's popular vortex exhibit. This shimmering lamp has a dancing column of water and light compactly presented in a stylish tube design. Illuminated from beneath, the moving vortex of water is powered by a silent pump mechanism in the base. Super-bright LED lights in green, blue, and red randomly rotate to illuminate the vortex with color. $33.95
Books and Communications – Gallop: Gallop is written for ages 4 and up, but those tykes will be lucky if they can get this book away from the grown-ups. "Scanimation," a brand-new technology, is used to create page after page of black and white pictures that -- without batteries -- move in the most magical way. The horse gallops, the cat springs, and the chimp swings like a champ. Savvy readers will be reminded of Eadweard Muybridge's photography; kids will simply love making an eagle soar forth . . . and back . . . and forth. The clever rhyming text is a plus -- and the sturdy binding is a necessity as this book is truly a page-turner that will be opened again and again. $12.95
Foodie Fight: Who was the host of America's first TV cooking show, I Love to Eat, which debuted in 1946? How many bubbles are there in a bottle of champagne? What food did Julius Caesar introduce to Rome in 48 B.C.? Whether you scour gourmet magazines looking for exotic recipes, pride yourself on planning the perfect dinner party, or just love good food, finally there's a trivia game that will have everyone coming back for seconds. In Foodie Fight, players face off in a race to answer questions from six delicious categories -- covering everything from celebrity chefs to food science to proper dining etiquette. So whip up some fancy hors d'oeuvres, grab a bottle of wine, and set the table for a night of delectable fun! $18.95
USB Hub Man: The USB Man is the most adorable computer peripheral. With USB ports for his arms and legs, and a USB plug coming out the top of his head, USB Man can support up to four USB devices. He even has a power adapter, so you can run your powered USB devices from him. USB Man is compatible with both USB 1.1 and 2.0, so you can be sure he'll handle all of your USB peripherals. $29.95 . -- www.exploratorium.edu
