MASTERMIND RELEASES 2010 SUMMER SURVIVAL TOY LIST

Fear not rainy days! We've selected five tried and true kid-tested toys, for those days when the sun won't shine! In our third in the series of Mastermind's summer survival toy list, we bring you rainy day fun toys! As with all our summer survival toys, these toys are priced under $60 and can be bought at any of our GTA stores or online at http://www.mastermindtoys.com/.

TOO COOL FOR SCHOOL! (or SAVE IT FOR A RAINY DAY)

1. Ecotronic Farm ($9.95) No-Battery Flashlights, Ages 6+
Eco-fun in the dark! These fun animal-themed, kid-powered flashlights don’t need any batteries, simply squeeze the handle to charge them and you’re all set!

The Hexbug Nano is the simplest, coolest and most amazing robo-bug ever invented! Flick the switch and it vibrates itself across smooth surfaces, past any obstacles you put in its way! Build mazes and try to stump the bugs… bet you can’t! They come with codes to unlock all kinds of cool online content!


3. Star Wars Mini Lightsaber Tech Lab ($14.95) Ages 6+
Discover the science behind Lightsaber technology as you choose from four different coloured crystals and customize your own miniature version of the Lightsaber used by Anakin Skywalker. Perfect for play or display, the Mini Lightsaber Tech Lab is the true test for aspiring Jedi Knights.

4. Aquasand Creation Kit ($29.95) Ages 4+ (available online soon.)
Magic sand that never gets wet! Aquasand is a cool kit that allows you to make your very own underwater creations. Pour, sculpt, wow - Aqua Sand dries instantly so you can use it again and again.

5. Antworks “Colours of Life” Colour-Changing Gel Ant Farm ($49.95) Ages 8+
The world’s coolest ant farm has arrived! In this gel-based ant farm, ants live and work, digging tunnels and eating the nutrient and supplement rich blue gel specifically designed for them. The LED display continuously shines different colours through the gel for an illuminating effect that can double as a fascinating night-light.

Hexbugs are BACK at Mastermind Toys Stores and at mastermindtoys.com!

What is a Hexbug you might ask? Hexbugs are really cool, robotic bugs that react to the environment around them! We have 4 different styles to choose from in a variety of colours!



First off we have the Original Hexbug !(9.95) This little critter scuttles in a forward motion. However, if you clap once, this Hexbug shifts backwards and changes direction! It also changes direction when the front antennae encounters an obstacle in it's path!







Next up is the Hexbug Ant ! ($11.95) It is very similar to the Original but is MUCH faster! The Hexbug Ant has sensors at both the front AND the back. When it encounters an obstacle it bounces back and heads off in another direction.





Then we have - The Hexbug Inchworm ($19.95). The neat thing about the Inchworm is that it requires the use of a remote control! It goes forward, backwards, spins on its base AND can change directions. The Inchworm works on TWO different frequencies (A or B) which means if you have more than one you can work 2 at the same time OR put them all on the same frequency and they will move in a synchronized motion together!



The Hexbug Nano ($9.95) is one of the coolest things you will see! Using only vibration these little bugs ZIP around, bounce off obstacles, flip over, flip back to their feet and continue on their way. Nothing can stand in their way!


Now, no Hexbug Nano Collection would be complete with out the Nano Habitat ($34.95), which is BRAND NEW from the Makers of Hexbugs! Because the Nanos like to scamper all over the place, this enclosure allows you to keep your Nanos safe, but also allows you to create your own topsy-turvy Nano universe! The best part is, the Hexbug Habitat comes with 2 Nano Bugs to get you started!




Hexbugs are a great introduction to robotics and without a doubt these little robotic bugs are a blast to play with and really fun to watch! Each style comes in a variety of bright colours AND they come with batteries so they are ready to play with as soon as you get them home!

--Lisa the Toy Whiz

While it's still not too late to ship toys in Canada and the US, you may be stumped by what you want to give the little one in your life. Mastermind Toys has a great category of toys that are called "Cool Toys." What could be better than a browse through this category? The great thing is that not only is there a wide variety of interests covered, there is also a range of prices. Below is a sampling of items available in the category.

Air Hogs Havoc Helis: What 8+ boy (or girl), doesn't love remote control anything? These lightweight helicopters fly by remote control, are small at 7", and best of all, meant to be flown indoors.

Automoblox Mini Wooden Cars ($11.95 Cdn): Mix and match really sturdy wooden racing cars. The wheels and roofs are interchangeable. The minis are approximately 3" in length, perfect for tiny hands. Recommended age: 3+.

Ty Girlz ($12.95 Cdn): Stylish 12" dolls that are ready to hang with your daughter! Available in a variety of different hairstyles and colours . There are extra clothes and accessories. Each girl comes with her own secret code which you can use to enter the online world of Ty Girlz. Recommended ages 7+.

Wild Planet Spy Nightscope ($19.95 Cdn): Do you have a James Bond in the making? These ultra cool 5x binoculars work during the day and at night. There is a built-in green stealth light for spying on people undetected, as well as a pop-up spotlight which can shine up to 7.5m.

Glow in the Dark Star and Planet kits ($5.95 Cdn): Turn your ceiling into a galaxy at night with the addition of glow in the dark stars and planets. Comes with adhesive and space facts on the back of the package. Age 5+.

Magic Kit ($9.95): From the popular book Dangerous Book For Boys comes a series of magic kits to impress their friends. The illusions kit uses scientific principles to create magic tricks, the magic kit contains a magic wand, a ball and vase, cups and a ball and a detailed instruction book to help the boys perfect their tricks. Ages 8+.

Hex Bug Nano ($9.95 Cdn): hexbug nanos come with a tiny internal motor that vibrates and sends them zooming across the floor. Any time they bump into something they will change directions. If they fall on their back they can right themselves. Set up a maze and watch them find their way out! Each bug comes with a secret code to unlock information available online. Ages 6+.