Sands Alive! Glow: Volcano World

By Play Visions
Price $29.99
Age 3+

This is a remarkably cool toy that inspires a tremendous amount of creative and imaginative play. The kit includes a variety of elements - volcano molds, dino skeletons, rolling pins, UV LED glasses and light pen - but the star component is the 1 lb of Sands Alive!, a substance that looks like a cross between sand and dough. It is almost a shock to find that it is super soft to the touch, yet highly moldable and not at all messy. Placing a handful on the illustrated play mat (included) and running the Dino Track roller over it instantly creates a path with ominously large dinosaur tracks. Use the molds to erect a few well-placed volcanoes, add the 3 different dino specimens, and, in a matter of seconds, you've got a vivid tableau that brings to mind any number of action-filled sequences. Turn out the lights and the UV LED glasses cast an eerie glow on the entire scene, or use the light pen to create patterns and messages in the Sands Alive! that will glow in the dark.