Green Gifts: The Power House

Power House: Kids Renewable Energy Project

The holidays are quickly approaching and if you are like me you probably want to throw at least one educational toy or project under the tree this year.

Luckily there are some amazing choices out there that will actually interest your children and not leave them wishing they had unwrapped something different.

The Power House is an award winning, comprehensive renewable energy project that you can enjoy right beside your children. Together you can venture into the world of sustainable energy and explore countless projects and experiments.

Now, I can’t take credit for discovering this beautiful model solar and wind powered home. My mother-in-law found it in a shop in NY over a year ago and stashed it away. It’s one of those things – if you see it now you may not see it again! My kids will be getting this green gift for Christmas this year and I can’t wait. I just wish it was big enough for me to move into.

The Power House has more than 70 different projects and experiments to keep you and your child busy exploring renewable energy and going green from a scientific perspective. Aside from building a solar and wind powered model home it also includes:

• Constructing a solar oven
• Establishing a real working green house
• Build an electric car
• Build a desalinartion system
• Create a solar powered water heater
• Install mini-solar panels on the model home
• Experiment harnessing the energy of the sun, wind, electrochemical and plant energy
• Build a sail car and learn how wings and sails transform energy

The Power House by Thames and Kosmos

These are just a few of the best projects included in this kit! You will be busy until Valentine’s Day at least! And when it comes time for your school’s annual science fair you will not be at a loss for project ideas. The kit is designed for kids 12 and up, but I think this could be done with younger children with the help of mom or dad.

The Power House Experiment Manual isn’t just a boring instruction manual with step by step instructions.

Work along with the Islanders to use renewable energy.

All of the projects and experiments are based on a story of island dwellers who are learning to live sustainably using only the resources provided on their little island. You and your child read their journal entries and then build models and experiment along with the islanders.

This story based method will show your child just how practical and realistic renewable energy can be for maintaining a healthy green lifestyle.

The Power House is one of many great projects created by Thames and Kosmos. It is priced around $150, but I did see it for slightly less at this science projects and educational toy site. Like the energy of the sun, the Power House is truly the gift that keeps on giving!