Scientifically speaking: why scientific and experimental toys are a big part of future playthings.(science)

Playthings, October, 2005 by Benitez, Tina

Discovery Kids, Animal Planet, the Science Channel and National Geographic--these channels show kids that you can touch, feel, understand nature and why things are the way they are. The popularity of theses channels shows that kids are more curious about the world around them these days. Perhaps, it's from watching Jeff Corwin hug a bear on Animal Planet or from visually questioning different pieces of nature around them. From experimental kits to weather forecasters to life-like models and insect habitats, the categories of scientific playthings is growing. And as long as kids are curious, and parents want them to learn, science-related toys sell.

Frank Adler vice president, Uncle Milton, Westlake Village, Calif., tells PLAYTHINGS that the science and...