The NYC Toy fair 2008 - coverage round up

We're pretty happy about our NYC Toy fair 2008 coverage, hundreds of photos and dozens of posts round the clock during the event. Looking around online I think we had the most complete coverage, especially of DIY/Science and learning products. We skipped a lot of awful at the Toy Fair, but we hope showcasing some of the kits, science and engineering centric products helps these companies and parents out there find each other. We also tried to highlight "Made in USA" companies, with all the lead and other contaminants found in imports over the last couple years, being made in the USA is now a desired feature. There were over 20 lead testing companies, it was out of control.

We tried to showcase old-tech meets new tech and the crafty side of the fair - thanks everyone who met us at the fair and toured with us!

To see all the coverage visit our page with all the posts visit here - Link.
To see all the photos @ Flickr visit here - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 21, 2008 07:40 AM
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@The NYC Toy fair 2008 - the misc

Here are some final odds and ends from the NYC Toy fair 2008, these aren't necessarily DIY/Science - but things I thought were interesting, bizarre or a little of both ... (pictured here, all year weather sled, you attach large ice blocks for summer use)... keep clicking for more!

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Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 21, 2008 07:30 AM
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Maformers - make 3D shapes from 2D magnet building set

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 there were a few magnet-blocks, but I liked Magformers the most. There are strong magnets on each side of the shapes, they magnets can move freely inside their container so you can make 3-D structures by arranging them on a flat surface and then "lifting" them up to form a 3D shape like a sphere.

More:

• Magnetcity - Link.
• More photos of Magformers @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 21, 2008 12:55 AM
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Matchitecture - models made from matchsticks

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 I spotted these amazing models you build from matchsticks, well - similar sized wood stick that is called microbeams. I did some research online and here's how they got started:

My name is Roland Quinton. I am the (INNOVATOR) creator of MATCHITECTURE

I am pleased to answer the numerous e-mails which I received since the beginning of Matchitecture.

Contrary to what many think, I am not an architect, but I am a pharmacist practising in Quebec (Canada). I began constructing with wooden matches and corks approximately 50 years ago. I was then 8 years old. We cooked using a gas stove and with the half burnt matches and corks I built little wooden figurines. I never lacked anything as, at that time, my father had a toy store.

Later, at about 15 years of age, I started to build a tower with very poor glue and absolutely no technique. I almost set fire to the house trying to remove the sulphur from the matches.

It was only at the age of 30 that I had tools made and created the construction Technique now used for Matchitecture. The matches then became Microbeams.

In the early 90's, I realised that I had the beginnings of a construction game and I thought of naming it Matchitecture.

I worked very hard with different teams to finally develop with BO-JEUX the fourth generation of Matchitecture and we are continuously improving it.

I created Matchitecture because, for me, building with microbeams is very exciting. I wanted to share this passion with others.

More:

• Matchitecture - Link.
• More photos of Matchitecture @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 21, 2008 12:30 AM
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Live sculpting, 3D art... and tiny Barack Obama

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 there was a sort of bizarre station, in a good way. A sculptor was working on a clay skeleton, another artist was making something in 3D (figures, a giant gun) and I think it all had something to do with Jailbreak toys, the makers of historical figures (they gave me a mini-Warhol) - tiny Obama was on site, no Ron Paul, sorry.

More:

• Jailbreak toys - Link.
• More photos of XX @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 20, 2008 04:00 PM
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New from VEX - Wi-fi and VEX mini

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 was a favorite - Innovation first. They make the VEX robots as well as the HEX bugs.

The big news, they announced the Vex-Mini and Vex Wi-Fi... both of these are good additions to their robotics / learning line up. Here are the details...

The VEX RCR Mini, like the Vex Robotics Design System, is an open-ended robotics platform that includes all the parts and accessories inventors need to design and construct a radio-controlled robot. At less than half the size and one-third the cost of the VEX Robotics Design system, VEX Mini will be accessible to even more hobbyists and students at the high school, middle school and now elementary school levels interested in learning about robotics. Vex Mini will be sold as a 300 part kit including gears, motors, wheels, metal and hardware, with additional accessory kits available. The VEX Mini's quarter inch pitch is structurally compatible with all half inch pitch full-scale VEX EDR and RCR robots, enabling builders to design more capable, dexterous and agile robots by mixing parts (cost is $100).

In addition to the VEX Mini, Innovation First extends its leadership in robot control systems with the introduction of a first-of-its kind, revolutionary new control system built on the Wi-Fi 802.11 standard. The patent for the new Control System is pending and the technology will offer a secure, affordable option for education and competition robotics users. The Wi-Fi controller will let users program their VEX robot wirelessly through any computer, including OLPC, running Windows, Mac, or Linux operating systems. The system also facilitates new features like robot to robot communication and even allows operators to drive robots remotely via the Internet.

More:

• Innovation first- Link.
• More photos of Innovation first @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 20, 2008 03:00 PM
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Pocket (or TV) spelling bee

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 Franklin showed off their new product, a T-Mobile Sidekick looking device called the "Speaking Spelling Bee" - this isn't a DIY/science kit type thing, but I really liked it and it's a unique gadget (and I haven't seen it anywhere else)... You can play it on the go, or plug in to a TV - awhile back there was a big spelling bee phenomenon, maybe we'll see kids playing this in addition to video games (both are fun)...

Features:

• Multi-player Competition mode (up to 6 players), Game Show mode or improve skills in the practice mode
• Request a definition of the word, origin or to have it used in a sentence
• Compete against friends or select to play against the computer
• High-contrast 2" color LCD display
• Clear speech and sound effects
• Compact design with sliding keyboard
• Connects to most TVs
• SD slot and USB connectivity provides expandability
• The Merriam-Webster Intermediate Dictionary with over 70,000 words, the Merriam-Webster Intermediate Thesaurus and the Merriam-Webster Rhyming Dictionary make this handheld a great companion for school work
  Useful reading timer

Meant for ages 8 & up. It also comes with Sudoku -- I dunno, I might get one, Apple's Mail client seems to miss some of my spelling mistakes - I'd like to fix that with meat skills.

More:

• Speaking Spelling Bee - Link.
• More photos of Franklin's spelling bee @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 20, 2008 02:00 PM
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Control high powered telescopes from your own computer

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 one of my favorite companies was attending, Blue Storm productions - makers of "Slooh" - it's not a product exactly, it's time you can rent on high powered telescopes. You buy a card with a number of minutes, use your computer and remotely control observatory sites in Europe, South America (and soon Australia).

More:

• Slooh - Link.
• MySlooh (photos) - Link.
• More photos of Slooh @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 20, 2008 01:30 PM
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Schoenhut - toy piano maker for over 135 years

Not a kit or a toy but worth noting - Schoenhut has been making toy pianos for over 135 years - here's an amazing harp (for kids) they make too. I think these folks are the best and only makers in their space - gorgeous looking (and sounding) stuff.

More:

• Schoenhut - Link.
• More photos of Schoenhut @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 20, 2008 01:30 PM
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Radio controlled art

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 some toys seem almost obvious, RC Art makes a radio controlled "color bug" that holds one marker and to draw you drive it around. I remember doing DIY versions of these when I was a kid (and later with a Roomba) - so I guess it's time for this to finally become a toy for budding RC artists.

More:

• RC Art toys- Link.
• More photos of RC art @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 20, 2008 12:30 PM
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Laser cut puzzles

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 I was looking for some cool puzzles and Family Games America had some pretty nice ones - a few are "lock" puzzles where you need to figure out the puzzle and then you can get your bottle of wine, but others are nice laser cut puzzles that also gave me a few ideas for making some of my own.

More:

• Family Games America - Link.
• More photos of Family Games America @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 20, 2008 12:00 PM
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Solve puzzles before you can open a DVD, CD, book, money...

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 I saw this ironic puzzle game, it's meant to give kids/adults a puzzle challenge (roll ball unlocks the box) before they can open a DVD, CD, book, money - getting packaging open is usually a challenge already - but I thought it was funny how modern media companies like to lock out their customers on just about everything or make it a "puzzle" for hackers to "fix" some decision - this is a physical version of the cat and mouse game that I think is playing out... If you're clever enough you too can get past the DRM :) -- maybe Magnif should play on that theme for fun.

More:

• Magnif - Link.
• More photos of Magnif @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 20, 2008 11:30 AM
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Marble transportation systems made from wood

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 some of the "toys" are meant for younger maker kids but they have an obvious home with just about anyone - HaPe makes all sorts of bead-on-wire sets as well a many well-crafted wood learning toys, but the ones I liked the most was their Quadrilla line. They are wood maze-like sculptures that use gravity to get a marble to travel around its structure. Creating a giant one of these is extremely fun, the craftsmanship is outstanding.

More:

• HaPe- Link.
• More photos of Quadrilla @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 20, 2008 11:00 AM
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Computerized engravers for metal, glass and more...

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 there weren't that many customizing companies but I did meet the folks from U-MARQ - they make a $7,000k-ish computerized engraver - with these you can engrave: small items such as jewelry, rings, charms, and pens as well as large items; wine bottles, plaques, trophy's, tankards, etc... on gold, silver, platinum, stainless steel, titanium, glass, plastic, wood and soap. I use a laser cutter, but there are things (mostly shiny items) that tend to look better if you use a physical engraver like the ones from U-MARQ.

You could probably get one of these, or build your own and do some nice work on iPods, iPhones and more as business.

More:

• U-MARQ - Link.
• Videos - Link.
• More photos of U-MARQ @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 20, 2008 10:00 AM
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Balsa wood airplanes

From the the NYC Toy fair 2008 -- Guillow has been making balsa wood planes since 1926, just about everyone I know has made one of these at some point in their life or have bought them for their kids. The blue rubber bands, the red propellers, these bring back a lot of memories - it was great to see not much has changed for over half a century, they're still popular. They also have complete lines of model planes and foam flyers, out of all the toy makers I think the crowd was the biggest around Guillows, not for demos but men and women talking about how they all grew up on these planes.

(Made is USA!)

More:

• Guillows - Link.
• More photos of Guillows @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 20, 2008 09:30 AM
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ScienceWiz - Science kits and learning for kids

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 I met the folks from ScienceWiz (including Pegg Norman, PHD, the writer!) - ScienceWiz "kits" are age specific science learning for kids. The original development of the ScienceWiz line was funded through grants from the National Science Foundation and the Franklin Foundation. There were a few science-learning companies (and we've covered most of them) - but I think ScienceWiz has some of the best ones for younger kids - I also like how the "kit" is in a box and a magazine-like book is attached, I'd like to do something like that with MAKE eventually.

More:

• ScienceWiz - Link.
• More photos of ScienceWiz @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 20, 2008 09:00 AM
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Prank kits!

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 there weren't that many "prank" companies, I saw some super-cheap rubber chickens and a gag or two, but the only company that had a dedicated prank line and some fun packaging was "Reeve and Jones" - they make familiar favorites like: Whoopie cushions, hand buzzers, dirty hand soap, dollar snatchers, black eye shine, fake vomit, the bronx cheer, nail through finger, squirt gum, magic ink, bug in ice and rubber pencils. Each comes in an interesting pack - fun stuff.

More:

• Reeve and Jones - Link.
• More photos of the prank kits @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 20, 2008 08:30 AM
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Mechanical marvels made from wood

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 I found a fantastic line of "Timberkits" these are wood automatons you build yourself: Dragons, pigs, drummers, piano players - you can also build a motor if you don't want to use the crank. I think these were one of my favorite things from the entire event.

Here's a video of "kissing couple".

More:

• Mechanical marvels - Link.
• More photos of Mechanical marvels @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 20, 2008 07:01 AM
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Khet - laser strategy game

Fun tech-strategy game spotted @ the NYC Toy fair 2008 - Khet combines lasers with strategy, it's sorta like chess/checkers but set in an Egyptian-themed board with pieces having two, one or no mirrored surfaces. There are two small class II lasers, you try and destroy the other pieces by bouncing the beam on to your opponent's pieces. The goal is to illuminate your opponent's pharaoh, while shielding yours from harm.

More:

• Khet - Link.
• More photos of Khet @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 20, 2008 03:30 AM
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Metal detectors

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 there was only one metal detector maker and that was Bounty Metal detectors - they have an entire line from simple ones (inexpensive) up to beefier ones that include LCD read-outs, iron level detection and ground balancing. The "Gold digger" in only $99 and seems like a good midrange one to start out with.

More:

• Bounty hunter - Link.
• More photos of metal detectors @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

For the makers out there that do use metal detectors, are the these the best? Comments on these, others?

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 20, 2008 03:30 AM
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Model space capsules and mini-learn how-to frame a house kits

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 you tend to see companies with a variety of products, Precision Modelworks has stunning and unique models of various space capsules - Saturn vehicles, Gemini capsules and others from the Mercury missions - if you're a space buff these might be the only (and best) replicas in existence.

In addition to their space, planes and warships they are also working on a kit that is made to scale with a real house so you can learn how to frame out a new home.

More:

• Precision Modelworks - Link.
• More photos of Precision Modelworks @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 20, 2008 03:00 AM
Kits, Science, Toys and Games, Transportation | Permalink | Comments (2) | Suggest a Site

Smart lab - solder free remote control kit for kids (and more)

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 Smart Lab had a giant amount learning / science kits for what I would say are on the younger side of the maker timeline - remote control rockets, coin sorters, door alarms, electronics lab, first electronics, microscope, motor mania, rock star mic kit, shark model, stars & planets, voice changer, weather station, double safe, secret formula and my favorite a tv remote control kit that doesn't require any soldering -- perfect for the budding tv-g-goner....

More:

• Smart Lab- Link.
• More photos of Smart lab @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 20, 2008 02:30 AM
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Cardboard design

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 some old ideas are getting a modern treatment, and doing it in a eco-friendly way. Cardboard design (made in USA) has castles, forts, rockets, playhouse, dollhouses, teepees, dens, chairs and pods made from cardboard.

They also have "liquid" cardboard, it's created so it can take a variety of shapes - vases, bowls, etc.

Neat idea, some remake-abilty, others are good ideas that look like a lot of fun.

More:

• Cardboard design - Link.
• More photos of Cardboard design @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 20, 2008 02:00 AM
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Amazing linear propulsion systems - no toy application (yet!)

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 not everyone is a toy (or kit) maker - I met with two engineers that just showed up with their working prototype (The Z-drive) in hopes a toy maker might use it for something. It's pretty incredible - I think these guys are getting my "MAKE's best of show"... The worst part was watching the scammy "inventor company" people try and slime in and talk about all sorts of nonsense, but I guess that's how it goes.

The bullet train & cars is a linear propulsion system that moves small objects along the tracks. It can go faster than their first attempts and has greater climb mobility for the objects (little items with 3 magnets underneath).

The Z-Drive is the third generation of linear propulsion system under development, it's smoother at higher speeds and has the ability to climb steeper grades.

Circular version, can be a fan.

I'm going to see if they'll do kit versions of these, they don't use microcontrollers, it's all just parts. It would be a fun MAKE kit to build your own train like this.

Here's a video, it's fun to watch.

More:

• IDL Motors - Link.
• More photos of the Z-Drive @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 20, 2008 01:30 AM
Electronics, Science, Toys and Games | Permalink | Comments (11) | Suggest a Site

Swing-o-graph - draw with a pendulum / swing

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 I saw the German made "Swing-o-graph" - the pictures pretty much explain it all, but just in case - you put the marker/pen in the holder, a "swing" moves the paper around and creates spirograph-like designs. This is one of the products that might fall in to a (re)make - a few of the toys/kits at the Toy Fair might be fun to do on your own.

More:

• BLS - Link.
• More photos of Swing-o-graph - draw with a pendulum / swing @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 20, 2008 01:00 AM
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Wooden hydraulic power kits

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 there are some toy makers that are doing new things, White Wings is traditionally known for their high performance paper gliders based on the science of flight. Their planes were created by Japan's foremost paper airplane authority, Dr. Ninomiya - they have robust balsa fuselages and special paper for the airfoils. But that's not what I thought was the most interesting from them - they are carrying a set of wooden hydraulic power kits (cherry picker, platform lifter, excavator, scissor life and 4-in-1 combo) -- they're a delightful combination of wood and medical looking syringes filled with liquid, press the plunger in and things lift or move. Great kits.

More:

• Whitewings - Link.
• More photos of Wooden hydraulic power kits (and planes) @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 20, 2008 12:30 AM
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Hydrodynamic building sets

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 Bridge Street Toys had their geek-famous hydrodynamic building sets - you can build a model of an ice cream factory, a water treatment plant, a distillation plant and many other industrial structures. It shows how a siphon works, balance the flow through the plant by adjusting the valves. The user learns the basic principles of fluid dynamics while constructing and playing with this learning kit.

The building set includes an electric pump, siphon tank, large square tank, small and large round and cone bottom tanks, float valve, tilt scale, ball flow meter, water wheel, spray head, and assorted valves, pipe holders and pipe. The pieces are interchangeable with all other Girder and Panel and Bridge and Turnpike Building Sets and are HO scale.

More:

• Hydrodynamic building sets @ Bridge Street Toys- Link.
• More photos of hydrodynamic building sets @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 20, 2008 12:00 AM
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Liberty puzzles - Old meets new - Laser cut wood puzzles

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 I was pleasantly surprised to find Liberty Puzzles. Liberty Puzzles are classic wooden jigsaw puzzles, made with real maple-veneer plywood and archival paper and inks. Each puzzle image is mounted on quarter-inch plywood, and then laser-cut to all sorts of puzzle designs and shapes (the pieces are little gears, people, etc for example). They have a special coating that protects the art when it's cut by a laser, this of course was interesting to me - it was good to talk about lasers with someone else who has a laser.

(Made in USA!).

More:

• Liberty Puzzles - Link.
• More photos of Liberty puzzles @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 19, 2008 11:30 PM
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Zome - Make a virus, a 4D cube

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 I spent way too much time with the folks from Zome - Zome is based on a version of the 61-zone structural system which includes purely mathematical models from tilings to hyperspace projections, as well as molecular models of quasicrystals and fullerenes, and architectural space frame structures. Zome's balls (nodes) and struts let you build models within the 61-zone system which lifts the study of these objects off the flat page. You can build huge structures, show what a 4 dimension cube looks like as well as make your own viri...

Zome is made in the USA (yay USA!).

More:

• Zome - Link.
• More photos of Zome @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 19, 2008 10:30 PM
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Triassic Triops, space farms - bring back creatures from the dead (and solar car kits)

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 Toyops had a giant bio-green-science area where they had their Triassic Triops, Space Farms, Just Look and Tree Toys' Wild Science products. Triops are shrimp that look like horseshoe crabs and date back to the Triassic Period in fossil records, they're also known as dinosaur shrimp -- you bring them back to life by adding water to the eggs of these "living dead" creatures. They're pretty hardcore little critters.

They had a giant ant home, with tubes, plants and rock - the ants were tossing in gravel to mess with the Triops and then later hung out on the plant for the rest of the time I was there... planning.

They also had some nice solar and air car kits.

More:

• Toyops, toys that teach- Link.
• More photos of Toyops @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 19, 2008 09:30 PM
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Glowing ant farms, floating deities

The gang(s) from Fascinations (wonders created by physicists) & SimerLab (makers of floating things) were @The NYC Toy fair 2008 - I've seen the glowing ant farms before (called AntWorks) but seeing this many in one spot is pretty interesting. AntWorks is based on a 2003 NASA Space Shuttle experiment to study animal life in space and test how ants successfully tunnel in microgravity, now you can bring NASA's handiwork to your home/office with a kit. You can watch the ants live, work and tunnel in the nutritious and non-toxic gel as they create intricate tunnels and you can light them up, the tunnels - not the ants.

Also present, SimerLab, they make just about anything float - you've seen floating globes via magnetism, they do that and then some with their levitation devices and systems.

More:

• Fascinations - Link.
• SimerLab - Link.
• More photos @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 19, 2008 08:30 PM
Science, Toys and Games | Permalink | Comments (3) | Suggest a Site

OWI kits - Solar, robots, bugs...

OWI robots was @ The NYC Toy fair 2008, this is another company that I've never seen in person but have seen their kits online before. They have a lot of variations of a solar cell with a motor - aerial cable cars, solar cars, viking ships, solar climbing monkeys in addition to nicely machined metal bug kits and my favorite - their line of giant robotic arms.

More:

• OWI robotics - Link.
• More photos of OWI kits @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 19, 2008 07:30 PM
Green, Robotics, Science, Toys and Games | Permalink | Comments (1) | Suggest a Site

K'nex - Goes green, carney and educational

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 K'nex had their line up of builder toys (favorites at Instructables) as well as some new efforts. There's now a line of educational sets, DNA - solar, stuff like that and a new line of carnival rides, very fun. I think K'nex's new additions are good a direction to go - project based with an element of "danger" the rides in real life aren't as enjoyable (depending on their safety) as actually building mini-versions.

K'nex is another group that is proudly made in the USA. I'll have a bigger post on this later, but with all lead and drug coated toys that came out of China - the USA manufacturers (I think) are in a good position to use their location and quality as an advantage - many told me it's now better and more cost effective to make things in the USA... that said, there were 20 or so "lead testing" companies scattered all over the place at the Toy Fair.

More:

• K'nex - Link.
• More photos of K'nex @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 19, 2008 06:30 PM
DIY Projects, Kits, Toys and Games | Permalink | Comments (0) | Suggest a Site

Venus fly traps and "grow your own lilypad" kits

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 Dunecraft had it's meat eating plant kits as well as the "grow your own lily pad" products. There are three types of meat eating plant kits, Pitcher Plant Predators and Sundew Savages. It's fun to imagine lots of people planting harmless seeds and growing them in to vicious bug-eating monsters.

More:

• Dunecraft - Link.
• More photos of Dunecraft @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 19, 2008 05:30 PM
Green, Kits, Science, Toys and Games | Permalink | Comments (4) | Suggest a Site

Duncan Yo-Yos, gyroscopes and tetratops

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 Duncan Yo-Yos had a small but fun area, a full time Yo-Yoer on staff and their latest line up. I tend to like tops & gyroscopes, but they also had a new product line called "Tetratops" - these are multi-axis spinners and can be stacked (this was developed by the folks behind the Molecularium IMAX type film on the nano-scale).

More:

• Duncan Yo-Yo- Link.
• More photos of Duncan Yo-Yos @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 19, 2008 04:30 PM
Toys and Games | Permalink | Comments (3) | Suggest a Site

Dice, dice and more dice from Koplow

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 I think I saw the most dice in one place possible, Koplow has over 1,200 types of standard and polyhedral dice. They have an educational line with math, fraction, decimal, +/-, blank numbered and more. Novelty dice, mini dice, wood dice, dice bones, dice made from wood. Alphabet dice, cat dice, lobster dice. Foam dice, round dice, 30 sided dice.

When I talked to the founder, he handed me tiny dice about the size of a couple grains of rice. These folks have dice.

More:

• Koplow dice - Link.
• More photos of Koplow @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 19, 2008 03:30 PM
Toys and Games | Permalink | Comments (1) | Suggest a Site

Dado cubes - nice for youngins' good for artists

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 the DADO cubes are one of the few USA designed, developed and manufactured building products. These "cubes" explore architectural principles... proportion, balance, structure, composition, and color.

While I think these blocks are good for kids, I suspect artists will start tinkering with them soon. Their clear version "Ice" is just asking to be LED-ified and turned in to some type of Logan's run center piece.

More:

• Dado cubes @ Fat Brain Toys- Link.
• More photos of Dado cubes @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 19, 2008 02:30 PM
Arts, Toys and Games | Permalink | Comments (1) | Suggest a Site

National Toy Hall of Fame - Old LEGO, Erectors and more...

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 the National Toy Hall of Fame brought out part of their massive collection of old (and what I think are timeless) toys.

They also had a full time Etch-a-sketch artist, Tim George - cranking, er, twisting out tons of of art on site.

To date, the following 38 toys have made it into the National Toy Hall of Fame: Alphabet Blocks, Atari2600 Game System, Barbie, Bicycle, Candy Land, Cardboard Box, Checkers, Crayola Crayons, Duncan Yo-Yo, Easy-Bake Oven, Erector Set, Etch A Sketch, Frisbee, G.I. Joe, Hula Hoop, Jack-in-the-Box, Jacks, Jigsaw Puzzle, Jump Rope, Kite, LEGO, Lionel Trains, Lincoln Logs, Marbles, Monopoly, Mr. Potato Head, Play-Doh, Radio Flyer Wagon, Raggedy Ann and Andy, Rocking Horse, Roller Skates, SCRABBLE, Silly Putty, Slinky, Teddy Bear, Tinkertoy, Tonka Trucks, and View-Master.

Here's an online version of the museum too - Link.

More:

• National Toy Hall of Fame - Link.
• More photos of National Toy Hall of Fame @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 19, 2008 01:30 PM
Retro, Toys and Games | Permalink | Comments (0) | Suggest a Site

Insect Lore - bugs bugs bug kits

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 Insect Lore showed off their live butterfly, ladybug, silkworm and other insect kits for education / home use. You don't need to catch the Butterflies, they actually ship live caterpillars.

They also have an earthworm nursery, for some reason I really like the idea of kids raising worms... and of course wearing "bug watches" - what time is it? Bug time for the Entomologists.

More:

• Insect Lore - Link.
• More photos of Insect Lore @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 19, 2008 12:30 PM
Science, Toys and Games, iPod | Permalink | Comments (1) | Suggest a Site

Air dry doll clay, casting, sculpting...

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 there are a few sculpting / clay / plaster companies, one of them is Activa - they have the usual collection of sculpting and clay products, but what I think is really interesting for crafters is their air dry doll clay, the works created with these clays were really amazing I could see using this on a variety of projects where you want that type of finish but don't have access to a kiln.

More:
Activa- Link.
More photos of Activa @ Flickr - Link.
Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 19, 2008 11:30 AM
Arts, Toys and Games | Permalink | Comments (1) | Suggest a Site

Erector sets and more (iPod & iPhone robots, R2D2 projectors...)

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 Erector was there, perhaps best known for Erector sets - but these folks had a mind blowing product line that I didn't expect. They have a series of Wi-Fi and Bluetooth robots that work with iPhones and iPods and controllable from anywhere in the world.

They had their "classic" Erector set on display, but that's no match for this giant creature.

Lastly, they licensed R2-D2 from Star Wars and sorta went nuts - this R2 unit is a real home projects, web camera, DVD player, iPod / iPhone stereo - and a robot you can control from anywhere. When it needs to project, it tilts back and projects a stunning image just like any other home projector. Obi-Wan you're my only hope, and $3,000+ dollars. It's not released - this was it's debut.

Oh, it's remote is a Millennium Falcon, of course.

More:

• Erector - Link.
• More photos of Erector @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 19, 2008 10:30 AM
Home Entertainment, Robotics, Toys and Games | Permalink | Comments (2) | Suggest a Site

360 gizmos - one shot panorama camera for youngsters and oldsters

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 I saw the first 360 panoramic camera for kids, but I suspect this will be popular with adults too. They set up the camera so it had an Eye-Fi wireless SD camera, so you'd take a photo and in seconds, literally - there was a 360 pano on the screen.

The real magic is from the 360 one VR attachment for cameras, you can check that out here and here.

More:

• 360 gizmos- Link.
• 360 world atlas - Link.
• More photos of 360 gizmos @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 19, 2008 09:30 AM
Imaging, Toys and Games | Permalink | Comments (6) | Suggest a Site

ViewMaster - they're still around, custom views

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 it was reassuring to see ViewMaster, I figured they were long gone since the TuberNet has since dominated both eyes for while - but they're around and have a unique line of ViewMaster products. For the most part it looks like they're promoting custom runs, makes sense - they'll even send you out a 3D camera to take the best photos and the once you're done you'll get the ViewMaster round wheel, viewers, etc. I'd like to do some of these for Maker Faire. Would be cool to see them develop a video version at some point... (here's a magazine that did something cool).

More:

• Custom ViewMaster- Link.
• More photos of ViewMaster @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 19, 2008 08:30 AM
Imaging, Retro, Toys and Games | Permalink | Comments (2) | Suggest a Site

Roylco - Die cut paper folks, X-ray projects

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 I met up with Roylco, they're a paper die cut company that has tons of art-related products (like self portrait sheets shaped like people, paper of paris) but what caught my eye was their new science line. These real animal and human X-rays are meant to be used on light tables, stuck to walls and to create life sized figures. Perfect for the young radiologist! I made a person with a cat inside them, but that's just me...

More:

• Roylco - Link.
• More photos of Roylco @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 19, 2008 07:30 AM
Crafts, Paper Crafts, Science, Toys and Games | Permalink | Comments (2) | Suggest a Site

Elenco's electronic snap circuits

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 I met with Elenco, they make a series of kits called "Snap circuits" we've featured here on MAKE before. Elenco was founded more than 30 years ago by 2 engineers, they make/made test equipment and now they have learning kits for young folks who want to learn about electronics (no soldering required).

More:

• Elenco - Link.
• More photos of Elenco's electronic snap circuits @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 19, 2008 06:30 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics, Kits, Toys and Games | Permalink | Comments (6) | Suggest a Site

BIOLOID - DIY educational robot kits

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 I was happy to see Robotis's BIOLOID, these are somewhat well-known humanoid robot kits, but they're also more than that - you can make spiders, probes, turtles, dino and excavator bots -- a lot more fun when you get tired of people-bots walking around.

More:

• Robotis- Link.
• More photos of Robotis BIOLOID @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 19, 2008 05:30 AM
Kits, Robotics, Toys and Games | Permalink | Comments (1) | Suggest a Site

Scientific explorer - some gross kits!

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 Scientific Explorer had one of the most interesting areas with their colorful packaging, as I looked at "Disgusting Science" & "Disgusting Anatomy" and all the cool art of their kits I couldn't help but think "Mark Frauenfelderian". Oddly enough this is an Elmer's (glue) company, I think that it made it even them more interesting to me.

More:

• Scientific Explorer- Link.
• Disgusting Science - Link.
• More photos of Scientific explorer @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 19, 2008 04:30 AM
DIY Projects, Kits, Science, Toys and Games | Permalink | Comments (1) | Suggest a Site

Kristal - Grow your own crystals

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 I saw Kristal's crystals for the first time in person, these are quartz-looking crystals you grow yourself. The crystal growth can be speed up and slowed down depending on the temperature, they grow in 2 to 7 days, but can grow longer/bigger for as long as you keep them in the solution (and until it evaporates). They beautiful to view and depending on the kit you can also learn about crystal growth experiments onboard the International Space Station.

Oh, they also told me that the crystals are made from the same stuff that (at the most) just makes your vomit, so they're non-toxic.

More:

• Kristal- Link.
• More photos of Kristal @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 19, 2008 02:30 AM
Crafts, DIY Projects, Kits, Science, Toys and Games | Permalink | Comments (1) | Suggest a Site

Thames and Kosmos - great science, bio, electronics and DIY kits

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 I toured the Thames and Kosmos area, one of the best of the entire Toy Fair. Thames & Kosmos currently offers 55 science kits on: Energy, technology, electronics, chemistry, biology, physics, natural history, earth science and others. Pictured here, the Radio Ace DIY tube radio kit.

Computer Systems Engineering kit - Link.

More:

• Thames and Kosmos - Link.
• Kit listing here - Link.
• More photos of Thames and Kosmos @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 19, 2008 01:30 AM
DIY Projects, Electronics, Green, Kits, Science, Toys and Games | Permalink | Comments (2) | Suggest a Site

ÜBERSTIX - You need to recycle to use these kits/toys

@The NYC Toy fair 2008 I met with the ÜBERSTIX folks, they make toys/kits that you need to recycle other things to build. Straws, ice cream sticks, paper clips, water bottles, egg cartons and more. Pictured here is a ship you build and use tossed cups/bottles to make it float, along with other trashed items to build the sail and more. It's called the Scavenger, nice.

They also make ÜBERARC" - it's for budding architects, students and engineers - you can construct giant "emerald city" looking structures, unlike other building systems you get real blueprints in a tube.

More:

• ÜBERSTIX - Link.
• More photos of ÜBERSTIX @ Flickr - Link.
• Giant set of NYC Toy fair 2008 photos @ Flickr - Link.
• MAKE's coverage of the NYC Toy Faire 2008 in one place! - Link.

Posted by Phillip Torrone | Feb 19, 2008 12:00 AM
DIY Projects, Green, Kits, Toys and Games | Permalink | Comments (2) | Suggest a Site

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