Science Reviews

No wonder this 7-inch-high, 8-inch-long plastic pony looks so healthy and handsome: she has it all. Her barn, which snaps together easily, is 12 inches high and has a blue tiled roof with dormer windows. Among its features are horseshoe wall hooks, a flagstone floor, a hay hoist at one end complete with a bale of hay, and even a hose attached to a working water pump. And there’s an impressive list of accessories for pony care: bucket, sponge, rake and shovel, first-aid kit, and more. There’s even a barrel of apples. Maybe parents deserve to be warned about the little catalog tucked inside: it contains a whole universe of horses, trailers, saddles, and equestrian paraphernalia, with cattle, dogs, and wildlife too. Chances are this pony won’t lack company for long. --Richard Farr

With this complete set of prehistoric creatures, kids can turn their imaginative play area into a kingdom of dinosaurs. 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 .

This Star Explosion kit allows children to create a universe in their own bedrooms. With over 500 glow-in-the-dark adhesive pieces to choose from (including stars of all sizes, comets, asteroids, and spiral galaxies), junior astronomers can create star displays, black-hole effects, and, with the aid of the included star map, actual constellations. There are 364 small (.25-inch to 1.5-inch) star stickers and about 200 larger (1.5-inch to 5.5-inch) plastic shapes that adhere to walls and ceilings with the putty that comes with the set (it's safe to use on most surfaces). The stickers and plastic shapes are made of Glominite, a safety-tested product that stores light. Each time the Glominite shapes are exposed to light, they recharge--so that the glowing keeps on going. --Kathryn Gustafson