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Discovery & Science
"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known!" - Carl Sagan
We believe that a love of nature and a determined curiosity are two the most profound gifts you can encourage in a child. Toys that reward kids to 'poke' at the stuff about them and explore the world through the scientific method are critical.
This is a broad category, because exploring our world through toys is not just about buying science kits. We've chosen carefully and found products that give first-hand experience in the stuff of life. As Carl Sagan said, something incredible can be found ... inside of a geode, in the elasticity of a Super Dome Popper, or in the energy captured in a lemon (he didnt say that last bit exactly)!
It's easy to forget about our local museum and science centre too, so go plan a day trip now and see your little person grow!
How should you choose?
This is a very broad field, and in the past years has been cluttered with the terms STEM and STEAM. It’s just not that complex … consider these factors before you buy discovery & science toys online in Australia.
Interest : You might look for a toy that aligns with the current interests of the child … or you may wish to expand a child’s experience by given them something new that might be the spark of a passion. If the child has every crystal growing set every made … perhaps try something else?
Sensory : Toys that deliver intense sensory experiences can also be considered relevant here. Magnets are a great example of a toy that feels great to play with, but also mindboggling and educational. Putty, slime, gel, balloons.
Mess and Space : Not every child has a back yard and a shed … so consider the space that the child has to work with before choosing. Some discovery toys make noise, need room, make a mess or require tools.
Age Rating : As always, don’t overestimate a child’s capabilities. Ask our staff for help or read the product description where provided. No one wins when we provide a toy too complex for a child’s ability.
Patience : Consider the nature of the child and match their patience with to toy chosen. It’s great to stretch a kid’s attention span … but not all at once. Some toys are immediate and engaging … and some require many sittings and patience.
Adjusting Expectations : When we provide adults and children toys at our store, we often adjust their expectations to match the product. Some toys just take time (eg crystal growing kits and robot kits) and can’t be rushed. Some are instantaneous (eg. snake eggs and balloon rockets). Adjust the expectations of both the child and parent when gifting!
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Build Your Own Volcano
National Geographic$29.95Cast your own volcano, paint it and even make it erupt! With the included learning guide, learn about tectonic plates, earthquakes, volcano formati...
View full details$29.95Sold out