Best Perpetual Motion Toys
- HANNAH H.
- UPDATED May 6, 2019
- in Learning & STEM toys
Best Overall
Toysmith
Euler’s Disk
Perpetual motion toys don’t just look cool, they make use of basic physics concepts to give an easily illustrated example that’s great for learning. Toys like these are great for providing development of STEM skills, and kids are mesmerized by physics concepts in action that are far more captivating than formulas on paper. Wondering which toy your child would love? We’ve taken a look at the 11 most mesmerizing perpetual motion toys to show you their features and let you see how they stack up side by side.
Our Top Picks
Best Overall
Toysmith Euler's Disk
Upgrade Choice
Joytech Precision Gyroscope
Best Budget Buy
ArtCreativity Retro Light Up Kids Toys
How to Pick the BEST PERPETUAL MOTION TOYS
1. Recommended Age
When you’re choosing a toy for your child, it’s always important to take a product’s intended age range into consideration. It speaks to whether your child will be able to safely and easily use the toy. In the case of perpetual motion machines, it generally relates to any choking hazards as well as the level of age-appropriate motor skill needed to operate the toy.
2. Batteries Needed
Some of the toys on this list need batteries to operate, while others are strictly powered by perpetual motion. If batteries are required, it’s important to be aware of how many and what kind will be needed so you can avoid disappointment when the toy is opened.
3. Size
Some of the toys here are pocket sized, but others are quite a bit larger. You wouldn’t want to buy a small fidget if you wanted something big and impressive, so it’s important to note the dimensions of a toy before buying.
4. Colors
Whether it’s choosing a coordinating color for a display accessory or simply looking for a toy in your child’s favorite shade, color may be a factor in your purchasing decision. If it is, make sure you take notice of any possible options or variations before buying to make sure you nab the right one.
5. Safety Hazards
It’s crucial to know if safety hazards are present when it comes to toys for kids, because being unaware can mean the unthinkable. With perpetual motion toys, safety hazards generally mean a danger of choking – we’ve noted where that’s the case with products on our list, but if you’re doing your own research, please, be aware!
6. Tabletop or Portable
Some of these toys are designed to sit on a desktop, tabletop or any flat surface to offer both decoration and educational fun. Others are designed to be actively physically played with and are more conveniently transported. Your child’s age and play style will likely determine which one of these you’d prefer.
The Winners
#1
Toysmith Euler's Disk
Best Overall
This tabletop display features a sleek mirrored base that supports a 3 inch holographic chrome disc. The disc spins in perpetual motion, creating a dazzling light show that mesmerizes the viewer. It also produces a soothing sound without being distracting. Toysmith Euler’s Disk is fun both to watch and play with, so it’s a nice addition to your child’s desk or work space.
- You'll love: It's a simple to operate perpetual motion toy that doesn't take up much room and when a light is shown on it in a dim room, it creates a beautiful light show
- Watch for: There's choking hazards here, so it's not suitable for children under 3
Recommended Age: 8 – 15 years
Batteries Needed: None
Size: 10 x 9.5 x 1.5 inches
Colors: Black, chrome, holographic
Safety Hazard: Choking Hazard
Tabletop or Portable: Tabletop
#2
Joytech Precision Gyroscope
Upgrade Choice
The sturdy, high quality appearance Joytech Precision Gyroscope is due in part to the shiny brass finish on the mesmerizing gyro wheel. This would look beautiful on older kid’s desk, work space or bedroom as it features eye-catching detailing that makes it a lovely gift for a graduation, honor roll, scout ceremony or a other similar honorific. It’s a good teaching tool with regards to gyroscopic motion, and it looks so good that a CEO would be proud to have it on their desk.
- You'll love: There's choking hazards here, so it's not suitable for children under 3
- Watch for: Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua
Recommended Age: 13+
Batteries Needed: None
Size: 5.8 x 4.2 x 3.4 inches
Colors: Silver, brass, blue, brown
Safety Hazard: Choking Hazard / None
Tabletop or Portable: Tabletop / Portable
#3
ArtCreativity Retro Light Up Toys
Best Budget Buy
The ArtCreativity Retro Light Up Kids Toys is a cool portable perpetual motion toy in a style that’s long been a favorite of younger kids, this wand features a gyro wheel that has bright LEDs to add to the visual excitement. Batteries are included already, so this toy is ready to use out of the box – no waiting or frustration – plus, it’s inexpensive, and saving on batteries makes it even cheaper. The gyro wheels are magnetic, so they do a good job of staying on the rails of this classic STEM toy.
- You'll love: It's ready to go out of the box, the wheels are magnetic and unlikely to be lost and it's easily portable so it's a great go-toy for the backseat
Recommended Age: 5+
Batteries Needed: Included
Size: 12 x 5 x 3.5 inches
Colors: Yellow and red
Safety Hazard: None
Tabletop or Portable: Portable
#4
ELENKER Stirling Engine Motor Steam
Best for Budding Engineers
The ELENKER Stirling Engine Motor Steam is probably the most unique pick on our list, this toy is an excellent way to teach kids about energy. The toy is powered by placing it over a glass of hot water or ice – the child simply flips the wheel to begin motion, and the increase in temperature difference between the bottom and top plates causes the RPM of the temperature powered motor to increase. Kids will enjoy experimenting with this toy, which can develop important logic/cause and effect skills.
- You'll love: It's an unusual pick in that it's powered by hot water or ice as opposed to gravity, so kids get to see a different side of perpetual motion
- Watch for: It can get a little noisy - if it does, use graphite dry lube, NOT oil which can increase friction and cause problems when operating the toy
Recommended Age: 12+
Batteries Needed: None
Size: 8.3 x 5.8 x 4.5 inches
Colors: Silver and gold
Safety Hazard: None
Tabletop or Portable: Tabletop
#5
PhiTOP Physics Egg
Best Wooden Perpetual Motion Toy
The PhiTOP Physics Egg is a great teaching tool for demonstrating angular momentum, this oblong fidget egg is spun on its side and “magically” shifts upright every time. Kids will be fascinated and try to defy the laws of gravity, quickly seeing that it’s impossible to do outright but that different spin speeds change the way the momentum works. It’s a very simple tool that creates a pretty optical illusion around the room when exposed to light and makes a relaxing humming sound when spun.
- You'll love: It's conceptually simple but kids will find it fascinating and baffling, encouraging them to think logically and use trial and error
Recommended Age: 5+
Batteries Needed: None
Size: 2 x 1.2 x 1.2 inches
Colors: Black and silver
Safety Hazard: None
Tabletop or Portable: Tabletop
#6
ScienceGeek Kinetic Art Asteroid
Best For Space Enthusiasts
- You'll love: It's a simple, quiet toy that adds a fun pop of color as well as calming perpetual motion to a work space
- Watch for: The asteroids featured on the model vary in color from unit to unit, so it won't look exactly like the picture
Recommended Age: 14+
Batteries Needed: 1 9 volt battery not included
Size: 4.5 x 9.1 x 9.2 inches
Colors: Black and silver with colorful asteroids
Safety Hazard: None
Tabletop or Portable: Tabletop
#7
Geospace GeoFlux 3-D Kinetic Sculpture
Best Novelty Gift
The intriguing Geospace GeoFlux 3-D Kinetic Sculpture is made of one continuous strand of stainless steel which has been coiled into many rings. The rings can pop open into an orb or other shapes or fold flat, mystifying kids and stimulating critical thinking. The GeoFlux comes in a pack of two, making it a great pick for siblings or friends to share – especially because they can learn to do tricks with the rings together, encouraging important physical play and improvement of manual dexterity.
- You'll love: This portable toy is made of one long strip of stainless steel, so it's unlikely to break or come apart; it also comes in a two pack, so it's a great value for siblings to share
Recommended Age: 6+
Batteries Needed: None
Size: 5.2 x 4.5 x 0.6 inches
Colors: Silver
Safety Hazard:None
Tabletop or Portable: Portable
#8
DESDK Kinetic Desk Toy
Best Perpetual Motion Desk Toy
DESDK Kinetic Desk Toy is a tabletop toy that’s small enough for on the go, this little orb creates the awesome optical illusion of a continuously flowing helix – it looks so real, you’d think it would drill right through the table and onto the floor. It’s operated with a simple twist, and so tiny that it can fit in the pocket easily. It’s a noiseless fidget, so it’s a great way to keep little hands busy without distracting other people nearby, and younger kids can use it easily.
- You'll love: It's a tabletop perpetual motion toy that's also portable, very compact and easy to operate
Recommended Age: 3+
Batteries Needed: None
Size: 2.1 x 2.1 x 2.1 inches
Colors: Gold, silver, grey
Safety Hazard: None
Tabletop or Portable: Both
#9
EDC Keychain Spinning Top
Best Perpetual Spinning Top
The EDC Keychain Spinning Top is a small and portable spinning metal top , fun challenge game for a group of kids – all they need is a stopwatch, featured on most cell phones, to try to beat each other’s times. Kids can challenge themselves or their friends, or if they’re feeling ambitious, they can try to beat the toy’s record longest spin of 5 minutes and 38 seconds (if they do, make sure it’s on video – the manufacturer will award them $25). It’s a quality stainless steel toy that’s fun, original and gives kids a good icebreaker for making new friends.
- You'll love: This little toy fits in a pocket and is a great fidget to share with friends and facilitate socialization
- Watch for: There's choking hazards here, so it's not suitable for children under 3
Recommended Age: 8+
Batteries Needed: None
Size: 0.7 x 0.7 x 0.8 inches
Colors: Silver
Safety Hazard: Choking Hazard
Tabletop or Portable: Portable
#10
Westminster Space Shuttle
Best for science lovers
Simple but powerful and cool, Westminster Space Shuttle Electronic Perpetual Motion features a space shuttle in constant motion. It’s relaxing to watch the gyroscopic spinning and turning of the shuttle, but it’s noiseless, so it doesn’t distract as a background object. The space shuttle theme is great for kids who love space exploration and similar themes, and it doesn’t take up tons of room, so you won’t struggle to find a spot to display it.
- You'll love: It's a simple and small battery powered machine so the motion stays consistent over time, plus it's a great pick for space lovers
- Watch for: There's choking hazards here, so it's not suitable for children under 3
Recommended Age: 3+
Batteries Needed: 1 9 volt battery not included
Size: 2.8 x 7 x 7 inches
Colors: Black and silver
Safety Hazard: Choking Hazard
Tabletop or Portable: Tabletop
#11
Faxadella Holographic Newtons Cradle
Best Newton's Cradle
Faxadella Holographic Newtons Cradle is a classic perpetual machine, but the sturdy wooden base of this device, which features a holographic finish, makes it suitable for a child’s room. It’s a good teaching toy, as it demonstrates the principles of conservation of momentum and energy. It can also be a good grounding activity for kids who need focus and calm or are feeling distracted, so it’s a good tabletop toy for homework time – some kids find the sound aids in concentration.
- You'll love: It's a classic motion toy with that's teachable and looks great in your child's work area or room
Recommended Age: 10 months+
Batteries Needed: None
Size: 7.7 x 6.6 x 2 inches
Colors: Silver, holographic
Safety Hazard: None
Tabletop or Portable: Tabletop
Quick Decision
Toysmith Euler’s Disk – Best Overall
It’s a space-conscious perpetual motion machine with pretty visuals and a soothing sound
Joytech Precision Gyroscope – Upgrade Choice
It’s a beautiful and high quality toy with mesmerizing gyroscopic motion that kids can treasure for years
ArtCreativity Retro Light Up Kids Toys – Best Budget Buy
It’s a classic STEM toy with batteries included and a magnetic gyro wheel that stays in place easily
Best kids Microscopes
For your natural born explorer kids who love science experiments, we give you the complete guide to the best kids microscopes.
HANNAH H.
Hannah is both a parent and a freelance journalist and author. You go, girl! She is an impeccable wordsmith and her warm and witty outlook on life makes her pieces a joy to read.
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