I must confess few things remind me of being a kid more than ‘accidentally’ wandering into a toy aisle or better still a really good toy shop. We’re all kids at heart every once in a while, how else do you explain the near obsession with sports, video games, or the insistence on always hoping for the newest electronic gadget? Before I get to the list I have for you today here’s my own personal top three toys I never owned as a child but would like to own now if it didn’t seem so daft.

1. A remote control helicopter – something that allows the full range of hover and landing options

2. A trampoline – it always seemed a ridiculously occasional fad but nevertheless it would have been fun

3. A skateboard – I’ve never been blessed with the best balance so I don’t think I ever asked with enough conviction for one

Now I still find myself from time to time looking at the latest products aimed at kids, if only to see what’s on the inventors minds these days. When I was young I had a minor daliance with solar power but I think that’s dressing it up a bit. I went through a regrettable phase of burning things almost all of the time (I did grow out of this I must add!) and used a magnifying glass to patiently start some of my best projects. Since then I’ve always been impressed with the capacity of the sun and just how much energy it gives off despite the distance between us and our nearest star. Needless to say in these eco-friendly times there are a wide range of ‘Solar’ toys that are both good fun and educational and I wanted to focus on a few today.

Giant 50 foot solar bag - Don’t laugh I realise that a bag may not sound like the ideal toy but trust me on this one. The concept couldn’t really be more simple – you fill the 50 foot long bag with air by running with it and once full of air you tie the remaining end shut. Then you simply wait for the sun to do the work. As the inner air warms the bag will begin to rise, typically in less than 5 minutes of direct sunlight – you can then tether the bag almost like a giant helium balloon. Then, as the air cools the bag/balloon will lose altitude – so its especially fun on a partly cloudy day. I think the video below will inspire you more than my description – available on SteveSpanglerScience.com

Please enter the url to a YouTube video.

Super Solar Racing Car – Here’s a toy that not only can demonstrate to a child just how solar power creates the electro-magnetic energy needed to power a vehicle, with any luck this might be an introduction to a reliable alternate fuel source for vehicles by the time he or she actually drives their own car. The car is easy to assemble and very educational, aim it towards the shade and as if by magic the car will come to a complete halt. You can even apply sunscreen to the car to limit the top speed (seriously!), at just $10.95 and available from the same location as the solar bag.

Hybrid Solar Wings Plane - I guess I get my flying fix after all. This is an extension of the traditional remote control plane in that the bulk of the energy (post takeoff) is provided by the solar panels that are affixed to the wings. Apparently it can extend the flight time by some 300% as the battery will be charged during flight so long as the sun is being cooperative. This type of technology is again serving the dual purpose of entertainment but is also educational for a child.

Please enter the url to a YouTube video.

Needless to say there are also solar powered boats and trains on the market. I did find a helicopter or two but only enough energy is generated to turn the rotor, not actually get it airborne. Bah!!