Last Minute Toy Gift Guide; Backyard Safari Outfitters

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Today is the third (and final!) day of my Last Minute Toy Gift Guide. If you missed the first two days, check out the CAT Iron Diesel Train Set and the Zillionz Talking Cash Register. Today I'm going to tell you about some of the new items in the Backyard Safari line.

I really like the Backyard Safari line of toys. They encourage kids to get outside and explore and learn about nature, and there really isn't anything better than that! Previously we reviewed their Cargo Vest, Periscope, and Bug Vacuum. All are still in use by our kids, over a year later! Over the last few weeks we've been playing with some of the newest items in the Backyard Safari line; Storm Chaser Mobile Weather Pod, Bird Watcher's Field Kit, Expedition One 3-in-1 Compass Tool, and Butterfly Habitat.

Storm Chaser Mobile Weather Pod This handy little device tells you the current air temperature and wind speed. It has a built in compass, and weather vane to show you which direction the wind is blowing. The bottom unscrews and can be used as a water gauge to measure rainfall. Everything is self-contained in this portable device, so you can take it anywhere your explorations may lead. I'm really excited about the possibilities with this Weather Pod once we start studying weather in our homeschool!

Bird Watcher's Field Kit
This kit includes 5X30 powered binoculars, a tripod, and three different bird callers. My son really thought it was neat to use the binoculars outside. Keep in mind though, that these are toys. If you're serious about bird watching you'll probably want to invest in real binoculars, letting your kids start off with the Backyard Safari ones. The tripod clips on easily to the binoculars, and was quite study. It folds down so it's portable too, which is a plus.

Expedition One 3-in-1 Compass Tool


This functional little device is a compass, an LED signal light, and magnifying lens all in one. You can use the LED light to flash Morse Code messages, and there's even a Morse Code alphabet cheat sheet printed inside the compass lid! Expedition One is attached to a carabiner clip by a retractable, self-winding string, so your kids can clip it onto their Cargo Vests and go on their way. My son had a BLAST pulling the compass out and trying to determine his direction all around our yard. Unfortunately, the string connecting the compass to the carabiner clip broke after one day, so he's going to have to carry it in his pocket from now on. I really like this tool though, even with the broken string, because it's small and portable and really useful.

Butterfly Habitat
This habitat expands to 16", and folds flat when not in use. It includes directions for catching and releasing butterflies, and also comes with a mail-in-coupon for live caterpillars. I'm really looking forward to using this Habitat more in the Spring.

Approximate Retail Prices
Storm Chaser Mobile Weather Pod: $14.99
Bird Watcher's Field Kit: $24.99
Expedition One: $14.99
Butterfly Habitat: $14.99

Best Current Online Deals as of December 16:
Toys R Us has the Mobile Weather Pod for $10.49
Toys R Us has the Bird Watcher's kit for $13.99
Bass Pro Shops has Expedition One for $14.99
Target has the Butterfly Habitat for $11.19
Each retailer has shipping options that will get your items to you in time for Christmas!

Keeping it real: We received each item pictured above for review purposes as members of Team Mom. All opinions are my own.