Zometool

© 2014 Zometool Inc.
$65, Smart Toy
Teaches: math, geometry, art, science

CTR Review

We don't usually review products that don't use electricity, but this is an exception, because of the math and science roots involved. Consisting of plastic sticks and special ball sockets, this set of plastic toys is designed especially to let you make geometric shapes. The $65 starter kit has 256 parts and lets you build a nice variety of shapes. Add on kits, which are compatible to all other collections, include The Buckyball ($30) and Crazy Bubbles ($20). At the top of the scale, the teacher's STEM + Kit costs $680 and fits in a large case (for 1,891parts). You can tell a child that a carbon molecule is strong, but they'll really get the idea after they build one. Note that the kit contains small parts that could be a swallowing danger, and is not for young children.