Cosmic Blobs: Lab Rat Edition can't quite match the fun of working with real clay, but it may be the next best thing. It's also a relatively inexpensive way to introduce kids to the rewards and challenges of digital 3-D animation.

The user interface is light-hearted and colorful. It's also somewhat challenging to navigate, but there's only so much you can to do simplify the process of creating 3-D animations. The various icons are amusing, but not terribly intuitive. Some younger players may have difficulty, but most kids in the mid to upper ranges of the target age group will probably figure everything out pretty quickly.

The main window bears a passing resemblance to a typical drawing or painting program. A blank white canvas dominates the screen, surrounded by a colorful collection of icons that represent tools and functions. The tools are anything but typical, in form or function. In contrast to the plain, unassuming canvas, the tool collection looks like something straight out of a mad scientist's lab. Shapes, patterns, and raw materials reside in laboratory jars. Clicking on or using a tool results in the pings, bubbles, drips, Bunsen burner flames, and other sounds you would expect to hear in a lab.

There are three modes of working. In the Modeling Zone, you start with a blob of "clay" and push, pull, bend, twist, and otherwise manipulate it until it's in the shape you want. You can use one of the built-in shapes to get started, or wing it on your own. In the Paint Shop, you can add "stickers" (eyes, ears, noses, and other appendages) to your creation, as well as decorate it with colors and patterns. In the Animation Lab, like Dr. Frankenstein, you can bring your creature to life, complete with music and color backdrops.

A five-day trial version is available for downloading from the Cosmic Blobs web site.

Pros: Engaging, challenging, and highly entertaining; includes a helpful collection of video tutorials
Cons: Interface can be a little difficult to navigate