If I could be anything in the world - if there were absolutely no limitations on my career choice - I’d be an astronaut.

As it is, I couldn’t have been an astronaut, thanks to my nearsightedness and my apparent inability to earn an engineering degree. But neither of those constraints can stop me from exploring space right here at home - whether I’m reading, watching TV, or choosing toys for my kids.

Toys? Yes, toys. Like the Spark Talking Telescope, sent by the Discovery Channel Store via the Parent Bloggers Network.

I knew my girls would love the telescope. In true geek fashion, following in the footsteps of their geeky parents, they love to watch shows about space - whether it’s the Zula Patrol or any of the Discovery Channel shows. And we’re thrilled to indulge and encourage their interest.

Sure enough, the telescope has been a tremendous hit - both with my older daughter (who is not quite six), and my younger daughter (who’s just shy of three). We took it out of the box, popped in a slide, and started winging it. So much for the scientific method of reading the directions - but with this toy, you really don’t need to. It’s very intuitive. In fact, even though she doesn’t use it “properly” - going through the facts and taking the quiz - my younger daughter probably plays with the telescope more frequently than my older one. It’s that easy to use and enjoy.

My older daughter punches in the codes on the slides - full-color NASA photographs that are truly stunning - and listens to the facts and takes the quizzes. I love that she shows such interest!

But I have to admit that it’s even more fun to watch my younger daughter play with the telescope. She can remove and replace the drawer of slides herself, but needs help getting the slide inserted properly. She tends to push the buttons randomly, but she knows which one turns the telescope on and off. If I’m not right next to her, she calls every celestial body “MOON!” But if I am there, she’ll ask, “What’s that, Mommy?” and then repeat what I tell her. Again, I love that she shows such interest, and even though she’s only parroting me now, I’ll bet the knowledge will start to sink in soon.

Best of all, this toy is compact and apparently indestructible. The drawer of slides fits neatly in the base of the telescope, which I think is absolutely ingenius. And once, my younger daughter accidentally knocked the telescope off the kitchen table and onto the tile floor. Not a lick of damage. I could hardly believe it.

Given how much they enjoy the telescope, I’m tempted to get them the microscope next - perhaps for my older daughter’s birthday. Plus, considering how rugged it is and how much it appeals to both of them, I’m sure that it will still be around when their little brother is old enough to check it out.

We love the Spark Talking Telescope and would highly recommend it, even for kids younger than the target age range.