When it comes to buzzworthy acronyms in the toy department, STEM — Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math — leads the charge. And when it comes to connecting kids (and their parents) to STEM concepts, former NASA engineer Mark Rober is at the top of the game.
From viral glitter-bomb pranks to standing tall as a nemesis to squirrels everywhere, Rober and his CrunchLabs crew are constantly finding new ways to bust boredom and prove that science is fun. This year, Moose Toys and Rober are teaming up to bring that same energy to retailers and families with a full line of CrunchLabs toys.
“Each toy will have a dedicated video from me showing the science behind how it works. Not only do you get the coolest toy, you actually learn the engineering behind it.”
The line includes The Crunchinator (featured on our cover), which kids can use to experiment with torque, force, and mechanical advantage by crushing everyday objects; Elephant Toothpaste Blast, a modern spin on the volcano experiment; and more.
“Supercharged by Mark’s global reach across YouTube, Netflix, and Samsung, this won’t just be a product launch,” says Rob Wolf, Vice President, Global Marketing, Moose Toys. “It will be a game-changer for STEM and toys in general.”
Stay on the Pulse of Play!
A version of this feature first appeared in the 2026 edition of The BIG Toy Book. Read the full issue here!
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CRUNCHLABS CRUNCH KITS
The line includes experiments such as Turbo Trick Planes, Egg Drop Challenge (pictured), Slime Prank Lab, and Stunt Bike Launcher, each inspired by Mark Rober’s epic videos.
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CRUNCHLABS HALO HOVER BURST
Kids can load, pump, and fire halo hover rings to experience gravity-defying fun. Each projectile flies with accuracy and precision, demonstrating the power of aerodynamics.
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CRUNCHLABS MARK ROBER PRESENTS: SQUIRREL DASH GAME
Players race to “Fort Knuts” — a stash of nuts at the top of the course — to set off a chain reaction that sends nuts down the Divide Slide. Points are determined by the section their squirrel lands in and how many nuts are within. The first player to score 11 points wins.
