Science Reviews

Young paleontologists will be thrilled to uncover and reassemble the bones of this ancient stegosaurus--not in the Gobi Desert, but in the comfort of their own homes. The set contains 60 flat bones that are made from lightweight but durable quarter-inch plywood. Each bone piece fits tightly to partner pieces. The plywood is rough and needs to be sanded, but sandpaper is included. Clear instructions and information about the stegosaurus make building this 17-by-31-inch skeletal model both simple and educational. The finished piece can be glued and varnished or painted to create a lasting sculpture for a child's room. Younger dinosaur enthusiasts will need adult help. --Lee Strucker

Standing over 40 feet tall and weighing over 6 tons, Tyrannosaurus Rex was one of the largest carnivores that have ever existed. You can create a scale replica of this ferocious dinosaur's skeleton by assembling the 51 pieces of this wooden puzzle kit. Made from Baltic birch, the interlocking pieces in this kit require no hardware or glue to assemble. An excellent exercise in shape recognition and spatial reasoning, assembling the puzzle requires patience and careful attention to detail and may require the assistance of an adult. But the rewards are great as you transform a pile of scattered "bones" into an impressive model of a Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton. Once the puzzle is assembled, you can leave it standing as a display piece, or disassemble it for future use. A wooden "rock hammer" and sandpaper have been included to aid in the assembly process, but you may pick up a few splinters putting this wooden puzzle together if you're not careful. An educational dinosaur booklet and scientific fact file have been included along with assembly instructions and an excavation site map. Measures 36 inches tall by 48 inches long. --Chris Burns

With this complete set of creepy crawly critters and insects, kids can turn their imaginative play area into a kingdom of bugs. The outstanding details and realistic painting of the set allow them to develop their own beneficial storytelling play. The durable and high-quality solid plastic material could survive years of play. The whole set is sold in a colorful handy plastic carry case .