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Sometimes the best toys are those that aren’t really toys… Imagine trying to teach a kid about the Enigma machine. Who cares about encryption and those wars from long time ago? But I bet that a Pocket Enigma would make them interested. Coded messages are always popular.

This pocket cipher machine works on the same principles as the real Enigma and you won’t have to guess how to decode it like the Allies: it comes with instructions, including examples, figures and troubleshooting guide. Because it might be too complicated for children, it also comes with an easier mode, the Junior Pocket Enigma, which should enable all youngsters to exchange encrypted message about the cute boy next door or that girl at the mall. No need to make up a secret alphabet now.

How much under $29.99?
A lot: ~$9.50 on BletchleyPark.org.uk.

Via BoingBoing

The Aluminum 2×4 Brick Keychain is definitely not a LEGO. It’s not made by the company, after all, and it’s so very wrong to call all bricks “LEGOs”. (And “LEGOs” is also a wrong word, according to the company; they’re LEGO bricks.) But it fits LEGO bricks, so what does that make it?

Anyway, it’s not very important. We’ll just call it a metal LEGO brick that you can hang on your keys. Interesting for LEGO fans, of course, even though the price tag is a bit high in my opinion. However, it would probably be more interesting for companies, as it can be engraved: $6 extra for a custom text, $1.50-$2 for an image selected from a gallery or $8 for your own uploaded logo.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $11.99 on BLDesign.org.

Via Pocket Lint

It’s not good for people to have bored colleagues. They can’t go walking around the office, so they sit at the computer tapping their feet or playing with pens or other equally annoying repetitive actions.

The USB Soccer Fidget says it can stop that behavior, and if it works I’m buying a whole stash for future use. The soccer ball activates a desktop mini-game with three game modes; the trick is that you have to keep pressing the ball to control the shooting speed, which is supposed to allow you to let out frustration in a fun way.

I don’t really think it will stop anyone from making annoying noises, because most feet tappers do it all the time, not only when bored. But the frustration part might work; a mindless game from once in a while can do wonders, I tell you.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $15 on USBGeek.com.

Via RedFerret

Many people think a rainbow is a good omen and, even leaving superstition aside, it’s an impressive phenomenon. If you want to have your own rainbow - albeit less impressive - you can try the electronic version, no rain required.

The Rainbow In My Room is a gadget that can brigthen up your day - if you forget the fact that it’s just a bunch of circuits and LEDs. At the wave of a hand, it shines a rainbow on your walls and ceiling. Just like magic! Or at least that’s how it will seem to a child. A perfect way of calming a nervous kid down and probably the setting for a thousand future princess stories.

Imaginative people will surely find more uses for it, such as party light or night light for a child.

How much under $29.99?
A little: $23.37 on Amazon.com.

…And we’re back to the neverending world of Star Wars merchandise, with a treat for fans with a sweet tooth.

The Darth Vader Giant Pez Dispenser is tall indeed at more than 12″ in height, and comes with no less than 12 packs of Pez candy, guaranteed to last you a long time (or ensure a quick trip to the dentist’s). When it dispenses a pack of candy, Darth Vader’s eye light up and it plays the Star Wars theme song to the enjoyment (or annoyance) of everyone around.

While it would probably be a hit at a children’s birthday party, I hope I never have a work colleague with one of these. Hearing the Star Wars theme song every time he feels like having something sweet is something I wouldn’t want to go through.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $17.50 on Amazon.com.

I must’ve been living in a cave*, because Pin Art doesn’t ring any bells to me. For those in the same boat, a short explanation: it’s a case with thousands of blunt pins, that can be used to make 3D impressions of things pressed into them.

How would your face look like if it was made from pins? Will the guy in the next office get the point if you make an impression of your middle finger? What’s the most interesting office supply can you get a 3D image of? You can answer these questions or more in those idle moments and lunch breaks, and enjoy the nostalgia while you’re at it.

* A cave called “foreign country” with different fads than the US or UK, of course.

How much under $29.99?
A little: ~$25 on IWantOneofThose.com.

Claw games were fascinating because you never won, but you always knew someone who had a friend who got the coolest teddy bear just the other day. So you’d keep begging your parents for coins and keep losing…

The childhood days are over… and the frustration can be over, too. The Candy Grabber is the miniature version of a claw machine, and this time you control it. First you fill it up with the candy or toys of your choice, then get grabbing! You’re probably be just as unsuccesful, but this time you don’t have to pay and, if push comes to shove, you can just disassemble the machine to get your prize. You win in the end, either way.

How much under $29.99?
Exactly $29.99 on PerpetualKid.com.

I vividly recollect two particular food fights… one involved a birthday cake and the other a lot of whipped cream. We weren’t at all subtle, we used out hands or spoons, but we had a big yard to run around in.

Sometimes you don’t have this advantage, so you have to settle for les rough methods. The Zing! Catapult Spoon is the perfect tool for cafeteria or kitchen food fights. The spring-loaded handle offers you a much wider range compared to an ordinary spoon, so, if you improve your aim enough, you might be able to hit even that annoying kid in the back.

(Disclaimer: Of course, playing with your food is bad. But it’s also so fun! So we won’t tell you not to do it, just to be sensible: don’t launch things that could harm someone.)

How much under $29.99?
A lot: $9 on Amazon.com.

Via Coolest Gadgets

When I was a kid we played with traditional puzzles - assemble the picture of a cat while trying not to lose too many pieces. The game has evolved to 3D, and even to more unusual incarnations…

Though I wouldn’t say the Puzzle Eye Ball Anatomy Model is really a toy, it’s an interesting idea, and not only for med students. I’m quite squeamish when it comes to the workings of the human body (I don’t want to know exactly how fragile we are), but I had a couple of friends who were fascinated by anatomy and who’d love it. I have to admit that assembling body parts is at least an unique endeavour.

I think it could even make a good tool for a class - it beats drawing the body parts, anyway - and the hands-on experience could do wonders. It might also stop students from messing with the local skeleton model (what class didn’t have a prankster to steal bones or put a cigar in its mouth?)

How much under $29.99?
Some: $16 on KikkerlandShop.com.

Via BoingBoing

Guts. “Eww!!”? No, not at all. They are adorable and very original toys.

No, I am not suggesting you play with actual guts, but the plushies from i heart guts!. There’s 12 of them: uterus, lungs, heart, stomach, liver, bladder, spleen, pancreas, brain, gall bladder, kidney and intestine. You can get a lot of products with these lovely renditions of your internal organs over in the shop, but my favorites are the plushies. You can (almost literally) give your lover your heart (pictured), you can play with your lungs or gall bladder or try to boost your IQ with the brain.

Although adults will probably enjoy them most, they could also make a nice anatomy lesson for the young’uns, without the yucky bits.

How much under $29.99?
Some: $16-$18 on IHeartGuts.com.