With kids being our future, it's important to help them understand the benefits of alternative energy and see at an early age that nature can provide a lot of the things our society needs. There are many inexpensive ways to do so, and many gift ideas you can give to kids that won't seem like you are trying to force a "liberal agenda" on a kid - there are normal, everyday toys that just happen to recharge through the Sun or means other than plugging in to the wall.

Solar Carousel

This is not really a toy, but is an excellent window piece for your child to gaze at and learn that the Sun is providing it's power. It also can be powered by a halogen light. This is a fun, easy way to show your children alternative eneryg, and it costs less than $50 dollars.

Buy The Solar Carousel

Solar Energy Starter Kit by Poof Slinky

UNDER $10 !!!!

Know a kid who has shown interest in Science? Want to get your own child more interested in learning about Science? Be sure to check out the Solar Energy Starter Kit by Poof Slinky. A complete lab, with solar collector, solar heater, energy focusing lens, thermometer - more than 25 energy conservation experiments.Ages 8 years and up. WARNING! Choking Hazard - Small parts. Not for children under 3 years.

Buy The Solar Energy Kit

Pretend and Play Calculator Cash Register - Solar Powered

The chiming cash register features a built-in solar calculator as its keypad, thus allowing kids to act as bankers, shopkeepers, and accountants all at once. This does require a small battery for the chime, but the keypad will help children understand the light around them provides energy, and the chime might be annoying anyway!

Buy The Pretend and Play Calculator Cash Register

Elenco Solar Deluxe Educational Kit

UNDER $20 !!!

This is for slightly older kids, who have shown an interest in science and figuring out how things work. Children can do a series of do-it-yourself experiments to acquire the basic knowledge of solar energy with this kit. They will learn how to make an electrical circuit, make a solar circuit, how to increase voltage and current, and how to use solar power to produce energy for a radio, calculator, battery charger, a cassette player and more!