Two fascinating remote control kits for kids 8+.

These two kits from Thames & Kosmos won't be out until June, 2015, but the company was able to provide the following infomation.

REMOTE CONTROL MACHINES: ANIMALS. Biomimetic Animal Machines: Construct a whole zoo’s worth of remote-controlled animals with mechanical insides covered by colorful plastic “skins.” The animals all move using different mechanisms, each one mimicking the movement of the real animal it represents. A two-button remote control unit moves the small, lightweight motor forward and in reverse, allowing the models to move forward or backward. Build an elephant that walks, a scorpion that crawls along, and a cute little penguin that waddles. Construct a rabbit that bounds forward, a crab that scurries sideways, and an orangutan that climbs hand over hand along a string. You can even build a couple of dinosaurs: a Tyrannosaurus rex that walks on two legs and a Pteranodon that “flies” along a cord. Learn about animal locomotion and biomechanics as you build each model. When you are done, use the same 100 building pieces to dream up your own mechanical animal creations! You can even mix up the animal skins in funny ways to make outrageous hybrid animals. A full-color, 32-page step-by-step illustrated manual helps kids assemble all of the models, and teaches them about the animals they are modeling and the ways different animals move. Ages: 8+, MSRP: $49.95, Available: June 2015

REMOTE-CONTROL MACHINES: SPACE EXPLORERS. With this engineering kit, you can build a remote-controlled model of a robotic rover resembling the ones used to explore Mars. Deploy your Mars rover in the backyard or sandbox and use the remote control unit to survey the uncharted terrain! The remote can control up to three motors, which move the rover back and forth, turn the wheels to steer the rover, and control the robotic arm to pick up extraterrestrial specimens like small rocks. This 237-piece construction set includes instructions to build not only the robot rover, but nine additional space themed models as well, including: a lunar rover, rocket launcher car, space shuttle with opening and closing cargo bay doors, robotic space shuttle payload arm, moon lander, wacky astronaut, satellite, mars station, and cross-wing flyer. Kids will be inspired to learn various STEM skills through these fun, hands-on construction projects that bridge two captivating interest areas: robots and outer space.  Ages: 8+,  MSRP: $99.95,  Available: June 2015

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