Looking for something a little different to put in Easter baskets this year for bigger kids??  How about some solar power toys?  They come in a robotic kit that you can work on together and are run completely from the solar panels on their back.  The grashopper toy jitters around as though scared out of it's mind and the frog jumps along like a frog would.  Both are pretty cool and both are from Helios Solar Toys.

They've got a pretty big range of solar powered toys -- cars, racetracks, a duck, robotic kits, keychains, and even a cable car!  These are some great educational toys that can help to expand your kids minds, have tons of fun and learn about alternate power sources.  These would be especially good for homeschooled children doing a module on solar energy.  Definitely hands on learning and fun at the same time.  I wouldn't mind getting a few of these myself!

Those tiny green square dots outlined in red are what would need to be covered with solar panels to power the entire world in 2030.  Yes, the entire world!!  Imagine that for a moment.  0 carbon emmissions.  None at all from electrical consumption machinery or transportation.  Absolutely incredible, right?  I ran into this map by Land Art Generator while stumbling around the net.  It reminded me of the ridiculous Verizon vs. AT&T coverage maps that are constantly being shown on television ads.  You know...

Now, I know that these maps are not completely comparable.  This one is only the United States.  And it only shows areas that have cell phone coverage by the two companies but imagine what could be achieved if even 1/1000 of that space was covered by solar panels instead of simply having cell phone coverage!

Not convinced??  How about this popular map showing McDonald's locations through the United States?

What if 1/100 of that space represented solar panel coverage?  What if we simply slapped some solar panels on the roof of every single McDonald's worldwide?  Remember that the Mc Obesity epidemic is not simply an American issue...they are unfortunately spreading worldwide into the far reaches of pretty much everywhere.  Imagine how much emissions could be saved simply by having self sufficient McDonald's?  Kind of makes me see things a little more clearly.

Kids toys so often need batteries and as a parent (especially an eco-mama), I can tell you that constantly changing, recharging and recycling batteries can become a major pain in the patootie!

It was my nephew's birthday recently so I decided to buy him this solar power remote control car.  It's made by a company called New Bright and available at Toys'R Us, Amazon, etc. etc.  I picked it up for $60 CAD so it's definitely not a frugal option.  However, think of the financial cost of all of those batteries.  Even if they are rechargeables -- they can only be recharged about 10 times or so.  Kids constantly leave toys on and the battery life is just zapped right out of them!

Then think about the ecological cost of all of those batteries.  Many people still don't recycle their batteries and they just end up in landfills leaching chemicals into the soil and water.  Many places don't even provide facilities to easily recycle batteries (especially if you purchase the rechargeable ones!).

This car doesn't need batteries at all.  Ever.  No changing batteries.  No waiting for the batteries to recharge.  No kids waiting impatiently while the batteries charge or worse, waiting even more impatiently for you to get more batteries!

I figured that the controller would probably need batteries.  It doesn't!  It plugs into the back of the car to get a charge from the panel on the roof.  I figured that it wouldn't be very zippy.  It definitely is!!  It goes much faster than you'd think and turns on a dime!!  If only my real car was the same...

Now, is this a remote control car that kids will love??  Yes!!  My toddler and teenager absolutely loved zipping around the kitchen chasing the dog with it and had an absolute blast.  I was seriously considering not giving it to my nephew at all after charging it up and making sure it worked before wrapping it in a reusable gift bag.  Very eco-friendly, parent friendly, kid friendly remote control vehicle.  Perfect for your green Christmas gift giving this year!!!  Now, I just have to decide whether I really am going to buy another for my own kids!!

This is NOT a sponsored post -- just my personal opinion!