Solar powered toys aren't just for kids. While many solar toys double as educational toys and make excellent home or school projects, some of them are just too cute to relegate to the toy box. Instead, you will find these solar toys sitting on the desks of executives or decorating homes.
A Radiometer
is one of the few solar powered toys that have been around for a long time. Once, they were a popular item in museum gift shops. Now these solar toys are not only an interesting teaching tool, but adults like to place them on their desks as a conversation piece. Consisting of a glass enclosure similar to a light bulb, a radiometer has vanes that alternate in color between light and dark. Dark vanes absord light while light vanes reflect it. This makes the vanes spin. Like many solar toys, the more sunlight it receives, the more it will react, and the vanes will spin quite rapidly in direct sunlight. Radiometers will not take a lot of jarring and can be broken if they are shaken, so small children need to be supervised when handling them.
The Frightened Grasshopper Solar Powered Bug
is more appropriate for kids. It is a build-it-yourself version of a life sized grasshopper. Although fragile, this kit is ideal to teach yougnsters the concept of using solar energy to generate motion. Kids have a lot of fun experimenting with blocking the light to stop his motion.
The Solar Car Assembly Kit
is also a great project for children, but requires adult supervision since it comes with a hobby knife that could prove hazardous in untrained hands. This solar car kit features a solar panel to power the motor, which in turn drives the rear wheels. Once assembled, this solar powered car is ready for a test drive. It is a great toy to teach basic solar concepts.
The Happy Cat
, or maneki neko, is a good luck charm in Japan. The solar powered version is one of the solar powered toys that often find their way to the shelves or desks of adults. When placed in direct light, the cat waves her arm and nods her head. This is a popular toy that is more fun than educational.
If you're looking for educational solar toys that make great science fair projects, or just ones that have a lot to offer, the Power House fills the bill. This toy is actually a kit that lets you build a model home complete with solar panels and windmill. It also has a desalination system and a greenhouse. You can build a train, a solar hot water heater, a power hoist, and many more solar powered toys from this kit. A 96 page book of experiments makes it easy to learn about renewable energy forms such as solar and wind power. The book explains what a group of castaways on a deserted island must know to utilize alternative energy to survive. This is one of the most fascinating and educational solar powered toys on the market.
The Solar Motion Ferris Wheel
is another solar toy in favor with adults as it is particularly decorative. The Ferris wheel revolves slowly, receiving its power from direct sunlight or from the built in lamp that doubles as a nightlight. This solar toy teaches the concept of kinetic energy, making an interesting addition to a desk or shelf.
If you are looking for more solar science toys rather than fun or decorative solar toys, check out this page.
Help us build our knowledge base for the benefit of all readers! If you have tried any of the above products or wish to suggest a better one, please send us your comments and suggestions. Thank you.
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