Hi Christopher, Let's start with the coffee. This is a personal choice to have it or not. I happen to be a coffee person so I have it in my class. In addition, I bring in popcorn when we are watching a DVD since we are having "movie night". Little things like that really help to integrate the students into the class. Other instructors would not think of having food or drink in the classrooms and that is ok as well. These kinds of things fit into my instructional style and if they do yours go for it. They won't distract and if you find them do so you can not do them the next course phased. I am a big fan of toys, period. Physics-related toys to me sound great since they can take some of the fear out of physics. Anything you can do along these lines to help the students see applications that can be made with physics in their lives should be used. You are on the right track to have an informative and exciting physics course that will engage your students. I wish you the best. Gary