Not only are nature toys fun for the great outdoors, they can also be very educational. Toy Insider Senior Editor Marissa DiBartolo stopped by ABC World News Now to show off some of the best toys for kids to have fun while learning about their natural world. For more on the products featured in this segment, check out the product info below, and be sure to read our complete guide to the best nature and educational toys for the summer.
GeoSafari Jr My First Telescope (Educational Insights)
- Discover amazing up-close and personal lunar exploration with the GeoSafari Jr. My First Telescope.
- Little ones can explore the moon with this focus-free telescope, built specifically for little hands and growing minds.
- Perfect for STEM learning, the 10x magnification provides fantastic views of the moon, while keeping the field of vision wide, which is essential for young children’s understanding.
- Ideal for preschoolers interested in the moon, My First Telescope encourages exploration and discovery, provides hands-on experience with a scientific tool, and introduces the wonders of space.
- The telescope has two wide eyepieces with a comfy goggle and nose cut-out guide for perfect eye placement.
- It also has a built-in digital mirror and lens cap.
- Ages: 4+
- MSRP: $38.00
Original Butterfly Garden (Insect Lore)
- Your little caterpillars will arrive in their cozy caterpillar cup with all of the tasty food they need to become beautiful butterflies.
- Watch as your bug buddies explore, eat, spin silk and grow up to 10 times their original size
- The caterpillars will begin an awe-inspiring transformation when they become glittering, jewel-like chrysalides.
- Transfer your chrysalides into the butterfly habitat, a cylindrical mesh container, and perfect for up close butterfly viewing!
- The super clear mesh allows for unrestricted viewing, enabling children to capture every amazing detail of butterfly emergence.
- After you have enjoyed your butterflies for a few days, it’s time to let them spread their wings! Your innovative butterfly habitat allows for safe and simplified use; just unzip the top to set your butterflies free! Your Painted Lady butterflies will soar into the skies, creating a special moment your family (or students) will never forget.
- 3 of the 5 caterpillars are guaranteed to develop into adult butterflies
- Experience metamorphosis again and again.
- Ages: 4+
- MSRP: $24.95
60th Ant-iversary Ant Farm (Uncle Milton Industries)
- See the amazing behavior of live ants in a whole new way with the 60th Ant-iversary versions of the classic Ant Farm toy—featuring a sleek new design, different colors, and 3D lenticular scenes with ant worlds of the future!
- Watch ants dig tunnels and move mountains in the unique, escape proof design. Includes Antports with Antway connector tubes that you can use to connect the ants to other Ant Farm habitats.
- Available in 3 designs.
- Ages: 6+
- MSRP: $
Backyard Safari Lazer Light Bug Vac (Alex Brands)
- Backyard Safari represents an authentic line of year-round children outdoor & nature products. Whether your safari takes place in the park, at the campground, on the beach or even your own backyard, you’ll be geared up and ready for action!
- Now, kids will have a bug vac for the night crawlers! The red LED attracts them, so you can suck ‘em up safely, into the bug jar, which releases easily.
- Use the pod to transport insects gently into the Land & Water Habitat (sold separately).
- Comes with a collectible, embroidered iron-on patch and Pop-Up Field Guide. approximately 12″ long (4 AA Batteries included).
- Available at Walmart, Toys “R” Us, Amazon, alexbrands.com
- Ages: 5+
- MSRP: $26.99
Primary Sciences Outdoor Discovery Set (Learning Resources)
- Explore plants, bugs, and more kid-cool tools for some naturally fun experiments.
- Ten double-sided Activity Cards include easy-to-follow experiments to capture, create, and observe the world outside.
- Includes sprouting jar with two lids, a watering can, 3 plant pots and plant markers, Big View Bug Jaw, Handy Scoopers, and activity guide.
- Ages 3+
- Available at Toys R Us, Amazon, Walmart
- MSRP $29.99
My Fairy Garden (Play Monster)
- My Fairy Garden™includes three unique versions for children to choose from or to collect them all.
- Willow’s Tree Hollow™— A charming, bright fairy home! The set includes the adorable tree hollow with opening doors, bottom tray, Willow the fairy, her friend, and gardening accessories and tools.
- All sets include potting soil and quick-germinating seeds to get your garden started! Children can add other flowers or plants if they want, too!
- Ages: 4+
- MSRP: $14.99
