Old School Toys with an EDGE

By Christine Gibbs

IT’S A GAS

That odor coming from the basement could be the sweet smell of an MIT scholarship… if your kids are playing with the classic Chem C3000 Experiment Kit. Available at thamesandkosmos.com.

BLOCK PARTY

It’s elementary: building a better brain starts early with handmade Periodic Table Blocks. Available at uncommongoods.com.

I GOT IT! I GOT IT!

The ballplayer in your family will love the hand-rubbed and broken-in   Shoeless Joe 1910 Fielder’s Glove.   Available at handmadebaseballgloves.com.

TURN THE BEAT AROUND

You can relive the disco era without all the polyester thanks to the Desktop Disco Ball, which is illuminated with a quartet of powerful LEDs.   Available at scientificsonline.com.

DESK JOB

Go ahead and stick a tiny piece of gum under this painstakingly accurate miniature replica Shaker School Desk. Available at shakerworkswest.com.

4GB IS THE NEW 33 RPM

Break out the old LPs and the new laptop and let them play together with the retro-style USB Record Player.   Available at urbanoutfitters.com.

HOT STUFF

Super-size your mind excursion with the 250-ounce LAVA brand lamp. Available at lampsplus.com.

HEAVY METAL

Nothing brings out the timeless beauty of a backyard paradise like a Retro Metal Garden Chair. Available at doitbest.com.

LAID BACK

The  Nicole Ergonomic Recliner from Lafer of Brazil launches the 1940s-era Barcalounger firmly into the future. Available at leifpetersenfurniture.com.

I’LL HAVE 3.14159 SLICES PLEASE

Now your kids can simultaneously develop their slicing and geometry skills—as well as a sense of irony—thanks to the Pizza Pi Cutter. Available at coolstuffexpress.com.