Originally published on metropolis.co.jp on March 2010

Courtesy of Megahouse

Make no mistake: Japanese kids love their creepy-crawlies. If the wide-eyed tyke in your life has already got the pet stag beetle, Mushi King trading cards, video games and figurines, this one’s probably next on his (or her) wish list. Gummix is a sort of culinary chemistry set that, with a spot of liquid, sugar and gelatin, lets you make your own oh-so-icky insect sweeties. The original “Mother Center” has molds for rhinoceros and stag beetles, a crayfish and—hey, why not?—woodlice, while add-on kits let you make a Hercules beetle and larva, or a tree frog, plus eggs and tadpoles. The website suggests bizarre recipes like ketchup-flavored crayfish with fried shrimp, or iwanori seaweed beetle served over rice. Kids these days, eh?

Gummix Mother Center, ¥3,675; add-on kits ¥1,575. Available from all good toy stores.