ASTRA MARKETPLACE & ACADEMY 2014 LASER PEGS
MINDWARE
The Playful Chef Deluxe Cooking Kits, from Mindware, feature tools that are sized for kids’ small hands, including a baking pan, a mixing bowl, scissors, muffin liners, and five illustrated recipe cards that correspond to the color-coded measuring cups and spoons. The kits teach hands-on lessons in kitchen safety, science, measuring, nutrition, seasonings, and cleanup. One kit is designed for kids ages 3 and up and the other is designed for kids ages 6 and up. The Paint Your Own Porcelain Party Kit lets six kids ages 8 and up paint and personalize high-quality porcelain bowls using vibrant, food-safe paint. Kids and adults can ovenbake the painted bowls for a glossy, permanent finish. Each bowl comes with an individual gift box. This set includes six bowls, 12 paints, six paint brushes, six gift boxes, six idea cards, and instructions with party planning ideas. Seek-a-Boo helps kids ages 1 and up learn the names of colors, shapes, animals, foods, and more while seeking and finding each match. Seek-a-Boo! includes 36 large, round “Seek Me” photo cards to scatter face down around the room, and 36 matching “Find Me” cards for a parent or teacher to call out. Castle Blast is an action game of clever destruction for kids ages 6 and up. Armed with a wrecking ball, players target the enemy castle with hopes of saving the princess, retrieving the king’s treasure, and defeating the dragon. Players earn a token for each successful feat—but they must aim carefully. If he or she clears the wrong piece from the board, that player loses a token. The first player to claim all three tokens wins the game. Keva Brain Builders sparks an interest in STEM in kids ages 7 and up. Full-color cards include a 2-D building challenge on one side and the solution on the other. Kids must manipulate the Keva planks to successfully duplicate the balance, proportion, composition, and geometry featured on each card.
SPECIALTY TOYS & GIFTS
Each new LASER PEGS kit is multiple toys in one. The 8 in 1 Car Runner kit comes with a motorized power base that can send creations zooming in any direction, and has two speed and four light settings. The eight models include the Micro Tuner, Speed Runner, Mini Truck Runner, Patrol Runner, and more. Each kit also comes with four laser pegs and 24 tinted construction bricks. The 8 in 1 Tank Runner kit has a motorized power base with two rubber tracks that carry creations anywhere they need to go. The eight different models include the Small Crane Runner, Tank Runner, Duel Cannon Tank Runner, Recon Runner, and more. Each kit includes a runner power base with two speed and four light settings, two laser pegs, and 24 tinted construction bricks. The Zippy Do 3 in 1 kit lets kids build an airplane, car, or helicopter, and the Zippy Do power base lights them up for bright and colorful adventures. The kit also includes a stunt ramp and 18 construction bricks. With the 30 in 1 National Geographic Landmarks and Archaeology kit, kids can build models such as the Colosseum, Big Ben, and the Lincoln Memorial, and then light them up. Each kit includes a sound-activated 3-D Lite Board with storage bin, 32 laser pegs, and 244 construction bricks. The Power Block line of 8 in 1 kits includes the Power Block Sports Car, Power Block Truck, and Power Block Bulldozer. All three can light up as part of the play experience. The Power Block Sports Car features models of the Rally Car, F-1 Racer, Modified Racer, and Land Speed Record. Each kit includes a power block power base, two laser pegs, 83 construction bricks, and four tire pegs. The Power Block Truck Kit features Jeep, Humvee, Pickup Truck, Truck Rod, and more models. Each kit comes with a power block power base, two laser pegs, 100 construction bricks, and four tire pegs. The Power Block Bulldozer Kit includes models of the Claw Crane, Excavator, Dump Truck, Bulldozer, and more. The set comes with a power block power base, two laser pegs, 100 construction bricks, and four tire pegs.
S38
MAY/JUNE 2014