Toy buyin' Ryan did a fun little video with John Hayes, President of engineering.com a website dedicated to all things engineering. John asked Ryan to show him some of the toys your little engineers might enjoy -- okay, and maybe a few big engineers might like them too!

The video is worth watching if you have five minutes because not only does Ryan talk about the toys, but the guys from engineering.com have added clips of the toys in action. If you don't have time to watch the whole thing, I've highlighted each of the toys featured in the video and written a quick blurb about them, as well as linking to their page on the main mastermind toys website.
Have fun!





Kapla: an engineering-oriented building block set. The difference with these blocks is that you have to plan it out in order to be successful. Great for your little architect or civil engineer.

Rokenbok: Two toys in one -- a building toy combined with a remote control toy. Different parts include an RC dumptruck, conveyor belt and towers.

Straws and Connectors: The neat thing about this building toy is that it packs up small but once the straws are attached kids can make structures like playhouses big enough for them to fit inside.

Teifoc: For your future mason or architect. This is the coolest house/fort/castle building set. You mix mortar, place it between the bricks and stick the bricks down, just the way a real mason would. After it's completed you can start again; simply place the entire structure in water and the mortar dissolves! Let the bricks dry out overnight before reusing (extra mortar sold at Mastermind).

Snap Circuits: Build over 125 different alternative energy projects using a simple circuit board. This is a great gift for your future electrical engineer. (Project book included.)

Perplexus: A 3D spherical maze puzzle that makes you think one step ahead.

Rubik's 360: Rubik's Cube has developed another brain teaser (or torture depending on where you're coming from). Try to get six different coloured balls into their individual holes. It's harder than it looks of course.

Master Labyrinth: You build the maze in your quest for the treasure hidden by a dragon -- the path keeps changing as the game progresses.

Setters of Catan: A classic strategy game similar to Risk -- settlers strive for domination over the island of Catan!