Toy Insider Senior Editor/Toy Book Editor-in-Chief James Zahn joined Scripps News morning rush to show off the best toys for kids as they begin heading back to school this month. For more on the items featured in this segment, check out the product notes below, and for the complete rundown of the best gifts of the spring and summer seasons, check out our complete Toy Insider Spring and Summer Gift Guide.
BILL NYE’S ROCKET LAB VR
This kit contains nine VR experiences, 23 experiment pieces, and a 40-page educational book. With the VR headset and included app, kids can witness a real rocket launch, explore the International Space Station, return to Earth in the Orion Capsule, and more.
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PINBALL MACHINE MAKER: GUMBALL RALLY
With this buildable pinball machine, kids can explore lessons in physics and mechanical engineering by customizing their own course that uses edible gumballs as pinballs.
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SNAP CIRCUITS FLIGHT DECK
This set guides kids through building paper airplanes, installing a motor circuit to launch airplanes and flying saucers, creating art on a spinning wheel, levitating objects over a fan with air pressure, and more.
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MOODLES
Kids can interact with Purr Kitty, Cuddles Bear, and Pawster Pup to communicate their moods and learn about emotions while playing. Each plush features six faces to demonstrate happiness, sadness, surprise, silliness, sleepiness, and anger.
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MOODLES 12-INCH DOLL
The Zoey and Aria dolls feature six different faces and emotions for kids to showcase by twisting the bow or flipping the face.
