Our blog is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Thank you for your support!

The thought of switching to renewable energy sources for our daily needs brings in a lot of considerations. We often think of the bigger spectrum, like installing solar panels to power our households or buying vehicles powered by renewable energy sources.

In fact, one doesn’t even need to be aware that they preserve the environment while doing so. Even a kid can contribute to reducing the carbon footprint of a household.

How? We have one word for you (okay, maybe two) solar toys.

In this article, we will provide you with all the information you need to know regarding 10 such products.

If you are in the market and are looking for solar alternatives for your kid’s recreation, this article will undoubtedly help you simplify your choice.

Read on for our expert reviews of the best solar toys for kids available. Check the latest prices to ensure you get a great deal!

Our Top Picks

Image

Name

Discovery Kids Solar Robot

Discovery Kids Solar Robot

The toy provides you with a variation of 10 different designs that your kid can build from the start. It comes with a total of 190 pieces. It is good enough to engage your child in a jolly good time and help improve their hand-eye coordination and enrich their minds. Read more

Smartstoy Wooden Solar Car Model Kits

Smartstoy Wooden Solar Car Model Kits

The authentic feel of wood coupled with just the right pieces at the right place to spark the creative elements for your child. This product is made of high-quality wood and free from toxic chemicals or materials. Read more

OWI Solar Hydraulic Robotic Kit

OWI Solar Hydraulic Robotic Kit

Containing 231 pieces, this game set will provide your kids with the ideal creative challenge they need for their well-rounded development. Since the whole package is powered by solar energy, no battery is required. Thus, your kids are safe from any danger. Read more

ExtPro DIY Assemble Toy Set Solar Powered Car Kit Science Educational Kit for Kids

ExtPro DIY Assemble Toy Set Solar Powered Car Kit Science Educational Kit for Kids

One of the easiest toys to install from the list. The product is ideal for anyone above the age of 8, including adults. This is an ideal product for your kids to grow their imagination and sharpen then creative bent of mind. Read more

Thames and Kosmos Solar Mechanics

Thames and Kosmos Solar Mechanics

This kit allows you and your kid to assemble as many as 20 solar toys from your own hands. Due to its variety, it is one of the most versatile products on the list. Read more

MDGZY Stem 4WD Car DIY Climbing Vehicle Motor Car

MDGZY Stem 4WD Car DIY Climbing Vehicle Motor Car

One of the quirkiest toys on the list. This product is enjoyable to assemble and play with. The unique feature of this toy is that it comes with two power modes. The first mode uses solar energy, whereas the other uses a battery. Read more

STEM Project for Kids

STEM Project for Kids

The product, once fully assembled, provides a robot that can easily move on land. It helps in inspiring curiosity and building scientific inquisitiveness in kids. Read more

STEM Outogo Solar Robot Toys

STEM Outogo Solar Robot Toys

Based on logical thinking, the product comes in with different moving components that provide solar energy to go with types and excel in completing the set. The product is made with high-quality ABS material and passes the ASTM-F963 safety test. Read more

HISTOYE 12 in 1 STEM Solar Toy Robot

HISTOYE 12 in 1 STEM Solar Toy Robot

The product allows your kid to make out as many as 12 different robots from a single set. The quality of the solar kit keeps up with the industry standards. It is non-toxic and has smooth edges. Read more

4 in 1 Solar Power & Electric Motor STEM Kits

4 in 1 Solar Power & Electric Motor STEM Kits

With this product, your kid can build cars and electronic airplane kits and learn basic principles of simple circuiting and electricity. The complete all-in-one kit comes with detailed instructions to make it easier for your kid to assemble the product. Read more

10 Best Solar Toys for Kids

1. Discovery Kids Solar Robot

Discovery Kids Solar Robot

Let the creativity run free in your child’s mind by getting them a discovery kids’ solar robot 12 in 1 kit. The product promises to be a complete package and is bound to provide your kid with immense satisfaction once they complete it.

Let’s take a look at some of the product’s best features.

Features

Provide 12 different robot designs

The discovery kids solar panel kits allow you to build as many as 12 robots from a single kit. This feature brings an immense variety and options to the product. You kids can experiment and play with different robots as per their mood.

Easy to follow instructions

The kit comes in with an easy-to-understand user manual that will guide your kids step by step and help them build all the 12 robot designs. Moreover, the product offers easy dismantling options and provides immense scope for experiments.

Ideal, not just for kids, but for parents too.

If you think that this kit only challenges a kid, then you are mistaken. The product has enough intricacies to tickle the brain cells of even an intelligent adult like you.

Give it a try; there is a good chance that you’ll get hooked on to it.

Pros:

  • Provide versatility
  • Innovative
  • Educational toy
  • Cost-effective

Cons:

  • Consists of very tiny pieces that are very easy to get lost

2. Smartstoy Wooden Solar Car Model Kits

Smartstoy Wooden Solar Car Model Kits

Want a vintage-looking, authentic toy for your kid? Then wooden solar cart model kits by Smartstoy are one viable option you can look at.

Applicable for kids above 8 years old, this product comes in with several static puzzles that will help kids in their character development in an innovative manner.

Here are some of the most noticeable features of this product.

Features

Comes with Paint

This is probably the product that tops the charts when we talk of customization. It only provides the option to alter your model vehicle in terms of shape and size and allows you to color it as per your choice. The painting element just adds another dimension to the wholesome, creative development that this toy offers to your kid.

Easy to Follow Instructions

You would want your kid to enjoy building their own model vehicle. However, you don’t want the puzzle to be so complex that your child gives up on it without even completing it.

The wooden solar cart model kit by Smartstoy offers a perfect balance between challenging and enjoyable.

We often associate the ‘flow’ state of mind with our adult day-to-day working, but this product exhibits the concept of a kids-oriented recreational activity.

Offers a Variety of Puzzles

Variety is something that Smartstoy takes very seriously. Their wooden cart comes in with numerous different types of puzzles, so make sure that the toy has your child hooked at all times.

Pros:

  • Customizable
  • Versatile
  • Made from Non-toxic material

Cons:

  • Comes with some parts that need to be screwed, so it can be a bit too complicated for kids

3. OWI Solar Hydraulic Robotic Kit

OWI Solar Hydraulic Robotic Kit

With a total of 231 pieces, get ready to dive into a whole new world of innovation and fascinating creation with the solar, hydraulic robotic kit from OWI.

Moreover, the product offers you the option to create different types of models. You can either build yourself a moving robot or try your hand out at making realistic animals.

Here are some of the prime features of the product.

Features

Similarities with LEGO

The solar hydraulic kit is an ideal switch from LEGO. Both of them even look the same and are easy to assemble. This will allow your kid to get used to the toy pretty easily.

Option of Animals and Robots

This is one of the only products in our list of best solar toys in the market that offers your kid the option to either build animals or robots. The package comes in with pieces that facilitate both the creations. This feature ensures that your child will never get bored of this product.

Innovative

Innovation is at the very essence of this solar, hydraulic robot kit. It offers several designs and brings out the creative best in your child.

Pros:

  • Offer variety
  • No batteries needed
  • Comes with hydraulic power technology
  • Allows custom configuration

Cons:

  • A bit more expensive as compared to other products on the list

4. ExtPro DIY Assemble Toy Set Solar Powered Car Kit Science Educational Kit for Kids

ExtPro DIY Assemble Toy Set Solar Powered Car Kit Science Educational Kit for Kids

The most compact and easy-to-install toy on the list. The DIY assemble toy set by ExtPro is bound to tickle the creative bones of your child with its fun car assembly process.

The product is ideal for kids over the age of 8 years. However, rest assured that even you, as an adult, can have a good time while playing with this toy.

Here is a list of some of the best features of this product.

Features

Compact Design

The product is built in a simple yet attractive manner. It is a product that can fit in very quickly with all the other toys that your kid has. Moreover, the kit is easy to assemble and provides a lot of gaming education to your kid.

Ideal for Kids and Parents

If you are looking to spend some quality downtime with your child, this product can well be the perfect catalyst for you. You should work with your kid in building the kit to increase their learning potential.

Easy to Follow Instruction

The product comes in with a well-defined user manual that will guide you at every step of this assembling process. The method of building the product is pretty simple and is something that can help raise the creative potential of your child.

Pros:

  • Easy to install
  • Educational in Nature
  • Simple Design

Cons:

  • Does not offer a lot of variety compared to other toys

5. Thames and Kosmos Solar Mechanics

Thames and Kosmos Solar Mechanics

With the help of this product, your kid can create not 1, not 2, but 20 different solar-powered toys. This is what makes the product extremely versatile.

It is ideal for nurturing your child’s skills and providing them with important knowledge regarding solar energy and engineering skills.

Some of the best features of this product are as follows.

Features

Challenging but not difficult

There is a very fine line between these two words, and the Thames and Kosmos solar mechanics navigate this line perfectly. It is bound to provide you with more fun than headaches.

Moreover, it also comes with a 60-page detailed manual that will guide you through each and every step of the building process.

20 Different Designs

The kit offers as many as 20 different robot designs, each considerably different from the others. This feature is bound to keep your kid’s creative juices flowing as long as they are engaged in building themselves different robots with the help of this kit.

Compatible with all Sets of the Brand

This kit is compatible with all the physics and construction kits offered by Thames and Krammer. It means that you can build your robot using this kit and then access the features provided by different products of this exquisite brand.

This option gives you all the more reasons to explore more toys from Thames and Krammer.

Pros:

  • Comes with a colored manual that is easy to follow
  • Extremely versatile
  • Cost-effective
  • Durable

Cons:

  • Some pieces can be a bit too complicated

6. MDGZY Stem 4WD Car DIY Climbing Vehicle Motor Car

MDGZY Stem 4WD Car DIY Climbing Vehicle Motor Car

Moving away from puzzles, this product brings with it a hint of quirkiness and experimentation. The MDGZY STEM 4WD DIY Climbing Vehicle Motor Car is built to climb obstacles of up to 50 mm with ease and is probably the most elegant-looking toy on the list.

Here is a rundown of the best features of the product.

Features

2 Power modes

The product comes with 2 different power options. The first option is facilitated by solar energy, whereas the second option runs on a battery.
The second power can be used in times when the solar panels are not able to generate enough electricity due to several different reasons.

Adjustable Dimensions

The product’s versatility doesn’t just end at its two power modes. You can even change the heights and pivots to alter the performance and appearance of the product.

Moreover, the kit is made of high-quality material that ensures a premium feel and toughness.

Sleek Design

The model car looks stylish and elegant once assembled. So much so that it might well be the best-looking product on our list. Therefore, the solar car is only fun to play with but is even worthy of just being watched from a distance while your kid has a great time with it.

Pros:

  • Easy to assemble
  • Adjustable heights and pivots
  • Dual power mode
  • Elegant looking

Cons:

  • A bit too expensive and difficult to maintain

7. STEM Project for Kids

STEM Project for Kids

The stem project for kids comes in with a solar space robot toy that is a perfect brain developer for 8-14-year-old boys or girls. The kit offers as many as 6 different robots which can move on land to be built by kids. It is an ideal toy to get for your child if you want to inspire their curiosity in science exploration and discovery. Some of the best features of the product are as follows.

Features

Dual Power Mode

This robot kit by STEM can be powered by solar energy or electrical energy directly through a battery. It consists of a solar panel component that accumulates all the solar energy into an electric energy drive motor.

The other powering source is a battery which is ideal for both indoor and outdoor use. This dual power mode ensures that your kid can play with this toy despite the prevailing weather conditions.

Challenging Assembly

The product doesn’t come with built-in robots. Your child has to use his own creativity to assemble all the pieces and give life to these robots. Such challenging fun toys will help your kids build their manual dexterity, logical thinking, problem-solving skills, and self-confidence.

Long-lasting

All pieces of the kit are made from sturdy and durable material. The product is made up of premium quality ABS plastic. So, rest assured that this toy will last for at least 4-5 years, making it an ideal product for 8-14-year-old boys and girls.

Pros:

  • Cost-effective
  • Versatile
  • Easy to follow manual instructions
  • Durable

Cons:

  • The robots don’t work at their full capacity in the solar energy mode

8. STEM Outogo Solar Robot Toys

STEM Outogo Solar Robot Toys

The Outogo updated STEM robot kit is the perfect solar kit option for your kid if he/she loves to play with unique building games. It comes in various assembly styles and is ideal for kids below 10 years old.

If you’re still wondering about this Outogo product, take a look at some of its fantastic features.

Features

Eco-friendly

This robot kit doesn’t require any battery to operate at its full potential. The solar panels are pretty efficient in collecting solar energy and turning it into electrical energy required to function the gears, and hence the robot can fully work.

Perfect Educational Toy

The toy sharpens your kid’s minds by challenging them to build their projects and enhance their practical skills. Various assembly styles engage your child and instill essential technical lessons to hone their impressionable minds.

Quality and Safety Ensured

Each product component is of durable ABS material and passes the ASTM_F963 safety test. Therefore, you don’t have to stress about low-quality product delivery.

All parts of the product have a specific number assigned to them. It is recommended to assemble these parts according to the inter operational manual.

Pros:

  • Completely powered by solar energy
  • Lightweight
  • Company provides excellent tech support
  • Easy to dismantle and assemble multiple times

Cons:

  • Not for children below the age of 8

9. HISTOYE 12 in 1 STEM Solar Toy Robot

HISTOYE 12 in 1 STEM Solar Toy Robot

By now, you must have understood that robot kits dominate the market for solar toys. Here’s another such product that will bring out the little engineer in your kid. Divided into two difficulty levels, the HISTOYE 12 in 1 STEEM solar robot kit provides an exciting challenge to your budding kid.

It offers as many as 12 different varieties of robots and promises to take your child on a journey to the robot land.

Let’s check out some of the best features of the product.

Features

Breeds Teamwork Spirit

The HISTOYE 12 in 1 solar robot set can not only prove to be an engaging experience for your kid but also turn out to be a real bonding experience for the whole family.

You can assist your child in assembling different pieces of the product and teach them the importance of collaboration and teamwork.

Completely Safe

The solar robot kit is entirely safe and is made of non-toxic materials. The product lives up to the industry standard and does not have sharp edges that might scratch your child’s hands.

Efficient Solar Panels

The robot kit lives up to the efficiency standards and doesn’t require batteries at any point in its functioning. These DIY solar robot kits can work by placing the robot under the sun to absorb sunlight, which is later converted into electrical energy by efficient converters.

This allows kids to play indoors and outdoors without wasting batteries.

Pros:

  • Enables gamified learning among kids
  • 100% safe
  • Cost-effective

Cons:

  • Robots take a long time to charge

10. 4 in 1 Solar Power & Electric Motor STEM Kits

4 in 1 Solar Power & Electric Motor STEM Kits

The final product on our list, this 4-in-1 simple and easy science project kit encourages your kid to build a car and electronic airplane kits.
This toy also makes your kid learn basic principles of simple circuiting and electricity. The fact that a renewable source of energy powers the whole kit acts as a cherry on top.

Here are some of the best features of the product.

Features

Complete all in one kit

This product includes a wind power car, solar fan, solar racing car, solar fan, and an electric glider plane. It also includes a magnetized screwdriver and detailed instructions to make it easier and more convenient for your child to assemble the different product parts.

Powered by both Solar Energy and Batteries

The wind car and the place are powered by 2 x 1.5V AA batteries. On the other hand, the solar race car and solar fan include panels that collect solar energy and convert it into electrical energy to drive the motors to make the machine run.

Safe and eco-friendly

All parts of the product are made up of real wood and lab-tested safe materials. This is what makes it a safe and non-toxic STEM toy for kids.

Pros:

  • Efficient running time
  • Easy to assemble
  • No welding required

Cons:

  • Batteries not included

Solar Toys for Kids Buying Guide

The products mentioned above are of supreme quality and provide your kid with everything they’d want from a toy. However, if you’re in the market and are looking for the best solar toy to buy for your kid, there are some things that you must consider to get yourself the best deal.

The following buying guide will provide you with all the information you need to have to select the kind of toy your kid will thank you for buying.

Let’s get started!

Key Takeaways

  • Solar toys are educational kits that allow kids to assemble and create working models powered by solar energy while having fun.
  • These toys offer environmental benefits by using renewable energy sources and teaching children about solar and renewable resources.
  • When buying solar toys, consider factors such as product versatility, materials used, efficiency of solar panels, and assembly difficulty to ensure a well-rounded and educational experience for your child.

What are Solar Toys?

Solar toys are basically kits that allow kids to assemble several pieces and turn them into one or multiple working models that are powered by solar energy.

Predominantly, these toys kits are educational in nature and aim to provide children with basic knowledge of how solar energy works while keeping the fun and recreational aspect of a toy in mind.

How Do Solar Toys Work?

The concept is pretty simple. You are supposed to assemble the pieces and make a working object (a robot, a car, or an airplane) out of them. Then, you are supposed to keep these objects in the sun to charge the motors.

Once fully charged, your kid can play with these products for as long as the battery remains intact.

What Are the Benefits of Solar Toys?

Solar ToyThere are many benefits of solar toys. They are environmentally friendly, they are powered by renewable energy, and they are often very educational. Solar toys can teach children about solar energy, about how to harness the power of the sun, and about renewable energy in general. They can also be a lot of fun to play with, and can help to keep children entertained and engaged.

What Are the Different Types of Solar Toys?

There are many different types of solar toys, including solar dancing toys, solar-powered cars, solar-powered boats, solar-powered planes, and solar-powered robots.

Factors to Consider While Buying Solar Toys

A toy purchase doesn’t sound very serious at all. However, given the educational potential and the creative aptitude that solar toys bring to your child, keeping specific points in mind is necessary to get the best product for your kid.

Product’s versatility

Some products offer 12 in 1 or even 20 in 1 kits in the market. This means that your kid can make 12 or 20 different objects using a singular product kit.

Try to get your hands on one of the most versatile products so that your child doesn’t get bored of their toy quickly.

Material Used

Different manufacturing companies use different quality materials to make their solar toys. However, almost all top-rated products are made up of either high-quality plastic or toxic-free wood to ensure that the product has no harmful effects on your child’s health.

Efficiency of Solar Panels

You must ensure that the toy panels are efficient enough to provide a full day’s charge by keeping the product in sunlight for a significant amount of time. Most of the high-rated products can provide a motor running time of around 6-7 hours in 2-3 hours of charging.

Assembly Difficulty

You want your child to learn and have fun with the toy you get them. However, if the toy is too easy to assemble, it will not provide any creative development for your kid. On the other hand, it’ll be no fun if the kit is too tricky to assemble.

Therefore, the key is to strike a balance between easy and difficult. Find something that your kid finds challenging to assemble; maybe you can assist them sometimes to bond with them.

Our Expertise in Solar Products

At Solar Panels Network USA, we’re not just installers; we’re enthusiasts, researchers, and users of solar toys for kids. Over the years, we’ve been at the forefront of solar technology, understanding the nuances and intricacies of various solar-powered toys for children. Our team has hands-on experience with a wide range of solar toys for kids, and we’ve seen the evolution of these innovative playthings from their inception to the advanced versions available today.

Why Trust Our Reviews?

  • Hands-On Testing: Before penning down any review, our team spends weeks testing solar toys for kids. For this article, we installed and used each of these solar toys in various settings – from backyard play to educational exploration, ensuring we understand their performance in real-world scenarios.
  • Continuous Learning: We regularly attend solar technology conferences, workshops, and seminars. This continuous learning ensures we’re always updated with the latest solar tech in kids’ solar toys, allowing us to evaluate products against the most recent standards.
  • Feedback Loop: Over the years, we’ve built a community of parents and solar toy enthusiasts. We often reach out to them for feedback on products, ensuring our reviews aren’t just based on our perspective but are a reflection of the broader community’s experiences.
  • Transparency: Whenever we receive products for review from manufacturers, we ensure full transparency with our readers. For this article, some products were purchased by our team, while manufacturers sent others. However, our reviews remain unbiased, focusing solely on the product’s performance.
  • Decades of Experience: Collectively, our team has over two decades of experience in the solar industry. From understanding the technical aspects of solar cells to the design and educational value of solar toys for kids, our expertise spans wide and deep.

In this article, we’ve combined our personal experiences, technical knowledge, and feedback from our community to provide you with comprehensive reviews of the best solar toys for kids for 2024. We believe that our expertise, combined with our commitment to transparency and continuous learning, makes us a reliable source for solar toy reviews.

Wrapping Up

Seeing your child having fun is one of the greatest joys you can experience as a parent. Being a parent, it is your responsibility to ensure a well-rounded development of your kid’s creative and technical quotient.

Something like the solar toys listed in our buying guide can help you achieve precisely that.

So, what are you waiting for? Get your child some of the best solar toys available on the market today, and let theory creativity run abuzz!

About the Author

Solar Panels Network USA stands at the forefront of solar energy solutions, driven by a team of seasoned solar engineers and energy consultants. With over decades of experience in delivering high-quality solar installations and maintenance, we are committed to promoting sustainable energy through customer-centric, tailored solutions. Our articles reflect this commitment, crafted collaboratively by experts to provide accurate, up-to-date insights into solar technology, ensuring our readers are well-informed and empowered in their solar energy decisions.