We spend a lot of time talking about sustainability and design, but it’s important not to overlook the value of experiential learning — especially for kids. That’s why we love this Solar Powered Helicopter. The blades of the propeller have compact solar panels that store energy while the copter sits on a window sill, and then use it to make the propeller spin. It’s a simple lesson in the natural power of the sun.
We also love this helicopter because it’s designed like a classic kid toy, with simple wooden shapes and primary colors (not like so much of the neon plastic junk out there today). Available in natural and bright colors, at only $32.00 each, how can any kid resist?
From the website you linked to:
“Set this wooden toy in a sunny spot and watch its propeller spin!”
I highly doubt that the smallish, solar powered propeller would be powerful enough to actually make a toy fly — especially such a bulky, wooden one.
Then again, if you know better, and it actually does fly, well, hell, I have to get me one of those!
Just so no expectations are crushed, the description on the seller’s website seems to say that the solar cell just spins the rotor, it does not say if this is a flying toy…
by “fly” I’m guessing you mean make the toy rotors spin.
Ok all – thank you for being such astute readers. It’s true, the solar makes the propeller spin, it does not make the thing fly…problem corrected (and thanks).