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No batteries, just light: this little solar grasshopper jiggles and wanders around when you put it in the sun.
It’s similar to the solar cockroach I showed you before. It’s good for keeping little ones entertained, or anyone interested in the science of solar power. Here’s how it works and how it did under a bright flashlight on a rainy day. My original listing is gone, so the button goes to a current solar walking grasshopper on Amazon.
- No batteries needed
- Fun intro to solar power for kids
- Moved better than my solar cockroach
- Actually covers some ground, not just vibrates
- Cheap and tiny
- Needs bright, direct light
- Movement is random and unpredictable
- Entertaining for a short while
▶ Watch the full review on YouTube
How it works
It’s a little green plastic body with what looks like a tiny motor and a cam that spins and jiggles the whole thing. On the back is a crystal solar cell. When light hits it, the grasshopper jiggles around on its little wire legs.
Because it’s just jiggling, how it moves and where it goes isn’t predictable. It has googly eyes and long slender antennae, and the black and green look is kind of cool.
Testing it without sun
I took it outside, but it was overcast and starting to rain, so there wasn’t much direct sunlight. I brought some artificial sunlight in the form of my Wuben LT35 tactical flashlight.
Under that light it rocks. It moved around quite a bit better than my solar cockroach, and it covered some territory instead of just jiggling in place.
Who it’s for
In direct sunlight I bet it’s even more entertaining. It’s a fun, cheap way to show kids how solar power turns light into motion, or just a quirky desk toy.
FAQ
Does the solar grasshopper need batteries?
No. A solar cell on its back powers a small motor.
Does it work indoors?
It needs strong light. A bright flashlight worked great.
Does it walk or just vibrate?
It jiggles, but it actually covers some ground.
Is it better than the solar cockroach?
In my test it moved quite a bit better.
Who is it for?
Kids and anyone curious about solar power.
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