20 Creative Solar Dancing Toys

What are solar dancing toys?

The concept is fairly simple.

These are toys which use solar energy to move or “dance.” To give you a better idea, you can almost compare them to bobble-head toys. 

Also, like bobble-head toys, most people use these solar powered dancing toys as car ornaments. The reason why is obvious. This is an area which gets a lot of sun. In addition to this, you can also place them on a window sill, desk, or anywhere sunny.

Another cool thing about these solar dancing toys is that they don’t need electricity or batteries.

This saves you a lot of money in the long run. What’s more, it also helps to protect the environment. In this article we’re going to review some of the best solar dancing toys. We’ve rated these on the following criteria.

• Construction – is the toy well made, durable, and good value for money?
• Design – what does the toy look like?
• Function – what does the toy actually do?

Rated from best to worst, here’s your buyer’s guide to solar dancing toys.

Best Value Solar Dancing Toys

1. Dancing Cactus

 

This toy is listed as a “super value” package. That’s probably because it comes in a set of two. These types of promotions are useful if you’re looking for a gift. But here’s the thing. This solar dancing toy might be great value, but is it actually worth purchasing in the first place?

In our opinion yes. In fact, this is probably the best toy on this list. For starters, many of these items are badly made. They’re constructed from cheap materials, break easily, and stop working after a while. According to reviews, some of them even arrive broken.

These toys are completely different and are actually one of the better constructed items on our list. This is because it’s made from a special type of plastic known as acrylonitrile Butadiene styrene or “ABS.” What’s special about this plastic is that it’s resistant to heat and incredibly tough.

In fact, ABS is what Lego bricks are made from. When you think about it, this is actually very important. As you know, anything left in the sun is eventually damaged. Think about plastic garden furniture which has sat outside for years.

It eventually fades, gets brittle and eventually breaks. This is a problem. After all, if these solar powered toys sit in the sun for long enough, they will also get damaged. But because this toy is made from ABS, it resists this damage for much longer.

Besides this, these toys also have a good looking and attractive design. If you have a home bar, these are great accessories.  It’s also something that might look great in a Mexican restaurant.

But what does this dancing cactus actually do? Sadly, this is where it’s a bit of a let-down. There’s no bobbing head or any other action. All the toy does is move its arms up and down. While this is disappointing, it’s not a deal breaker and shouldn’t deter your purchase.

 

2. Hawaiian Hula-Hula Girls

 

These Hula-Hula girls are also terrific value. What makes them stand from the crowd is that they actually dance. You see, the problem with many solar toys is that they do almost nothing. Even though they’re referred to as “dancing” toys, there’s actually very little movement.

These Hula-Hula girls are completely different.  Unlike most of these toys, they have three joints instead of one. The torso, legs, and base are separate from each other. Due to this, both the legs and torso can move independently. This produces an effect which makes it look as if the girl is actually swaying from side to side.

This alone makes these toys a big step up from the rest on this list. What also makes this toy different is its design. These are probably the best looking toys we’ve reviewed. The figures have clear details and attractive features. This includes a grass hula skirt, necklace, and butterfly.

Another excellent reason to buy this toy is because it also comes in a package of two. Don’t worry, while these girls share similarities, they’re not the same. One girl wears a red dress and the other yellow. Ultimately, these girls are great accessories for your home, car, or business.

 

3. Nodding Buddha

 

This toy is a great choice for people who need to relax. Like the previous toys, this one also features excellent construction, and also has two actions. The Buddha’s head moves and he hits his little bowl with a hammer.

What we liked most is the design of the toy. It’s very cute features the Buddha sitting crossed legged. His eyes are closed as if meditating on the mysteries of the universe. Along with this he’s holding a string of beads and knocking on a Tibetan singing bowl.

In case you don’t know, this is a type of bowl which generates a tone when hit. The purpose of these bowls is for relaxation. They are also said to have healing abilities. Buddhist monks use them when meditating or taking part in religious ceremonies.

Also, the beads he’s holding are known as mala beads. These beads are worn by Buddhists monks.

They’re a tool used to create mindfulness during meditation. This toy is probably best suited as a desk decoration for stressed out adults. Watching the head nod has a hypnotic effect.

Every time you look at this toy you’re reminded of the Buddha’s message of peace. You’re also reminded to calm down, relax, and stop taking life so seriously. What’s more, this Buddha toy may even bring you good luck. Believe it or not this is actually true. According to some people, figures of the Buddha promote peace, prosperity, and also improve your health. All in all this is a great decoration for your desk and an excellent purchase.

 

4. Radiometer Glass Solar Windmill

 

The first thing you have to understand about this product is that it’s not really a toy. Instead, it’s something you could decorate your home with, or even put in your garden. The piece is essentially a glass globe on a pedestal with a windmill inside of it. The blades of the windmill pick up solar energy, and use it to move.

We really loved this toy. The best feature is the design. It looks like a piece of futuristic equipment from a sci-fi movie. It’s also a lot classier than the other items on this list, and makes a great piece of home décor. Your friends and family will have a great time watching the blades spin around. This item is also an excellent toy for children. It helps them learn about solar power and will entertain your kids for hours.

 

5. Hula-Hula Flamingo

 

This toy is comparable to the dancing hula girls listed above. Like those toys it also has two joints, meaning the top and bottom of the body can move. The big difference is that instead of moving from side to side, the arms go up and down.

It’s also made from high quality materials and has a great design. The details are sharp and the colors bright. This is an all-round excellent choice if you’re looking for dashboard decoration.  The only thing we didn’t like is the hula skirt, which looks like it’s falling off the bird.

 

6. Cat Bobble Head

 

If you have cats you’ll absolutely love this one. This toy is simple and straightforward. It’s a sitting cat which shakes its head from side to side. You also have the option of purchasing this toy in either black or white.

Both of these cats are not alike. The black cat has eyes which are open, while the white cat has closed eyes and a smiling face. If you’re thinking of getting this toy you’ll probably want to order both colors. All round excellent value for cat enthusiasts.

 

7. Leprechaun and Pot Of Gold

 

These toys will mostly appeal to people with an Irish heritage. In that country, the Leprechaun is known as a good luck symbol. It’s also said that if you capture one, the creature will lead you to a pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. If you’re someone in need of good luck, then consider purchasing this toy. You may want to keep it on your dashboard. Who knows, it could prevent you from getting into a car accident, or bring other luck.

What’s also nice is that this package comes with two pieces. You get the green Leprechaun, which moves its head from side to side, and the pot of gold as well. This has a rainbow above it. The rainbow moves from side to side, and this clicking sound produces a relaxing and focusing effect. Both solar toys are reasonably well made and should last a long time.

 

 8. Donald Trump Figure

 

Show your support of President Trump with this dancing toy. It features the former president’s distinctive likeness, including his trademark hairstyle. But while it should appeal to fans of the former president, it’s not amazing. The biggest problem is the quality, which is extremely poor.

Another problem is the limited movement. The head bobs up and down, and that’s about all it does. Something else you may not like is the design which seems to insult trump. If you look at the front of this solar dancing toy, the president has his hand up, as if giving an oath. Meanwhile his fingers are crossed behind his back. This makes it seem as if he’s lying, which may be off-putting for die-hard Trump supporters.

 

9. Grinning Shark

 

This toy is lovely, despite its issues. The best thing is the design. It features a grinning cartoon shark which is sure to send chills up your spine. This might remind you of the movie Jaws, or even the sharks in Finding Nemo. You also have your choice of colors including gray, dark gray, blue and purple. If you’re a fan of sharks, then we can definitely see the appeal. The only problem is that the toy is cheaply made. The thing looks as if it’s about to fall apart and barely moves – even in direct sunlight. Definitely think twice before spending your money.

 

10. Beer Garden Dog

 

If you need more accessories for your home pub, then don’t search any further. This cute dog is perfect. It’s sure to go well with your other décor and liven up the place. The toy features a dog holding two, overflowing mugs of beer. It’s also wearing the type of clothing you’d see at a German beer festival. While this dog is worth purchasing there is one thing we didn’t like about it. This is the fact that the head doesn’t move at all. It’s only the arms that go up and down. While this isn’t a big problem, it’s something to keep in mind before you order.

 

11. Dancing Women

 

We’d rate these toys near the middle of the crowd. While they’re well-made and painted, the quality isn’t amazing, and they won’t last forever. Also, while they do move, this movement is quite limited. Basically, the torso of the girls goes from side to side, and that’s about it. Another problem is the design, which some people may find offensive. Aside from that there’s very little to say. If you’re looking for something to put on your dashboard, then you can’t go wrong with these dancing women. Before clicking buy, just beware. This toy comes in two colors and the color you receive is random. You’ll either get a woman in a blue bikini, or a red one.

 

12. Dancing SunFlower

 

While this toy is good value for money and will appeal to some people, we didn’t like it at all. There are several reasons for this. To start with, it comes unassembled. You’ll have to attach the middle flower to the base of the toy.

While this isn’t a problem, it’s still off-putting. An unassembled toy means that something can get lost or broken. What we also hated is that it does very little. The middle flower barely moves, while the left and right flowers only go slightly up and down. Even with these negative aspects, this toy is appealing. It brightens up your room and will provide an amusing distraction. The design is also nice and features a cute bee and a ladybug.

 

13. Dancing Groot

 

Anyone familiar with Marvel movies will already know who Groot is. But while this figure will appeal to marvel fans, it really isn’t worth bothering with. The biggest problem is that it looks cheap, and barely resembles the character it’s based on.

Another big issue is that the head is attached to the base of the statue. What this means is that only the body moves. While this isn’t really a problem, it may put some people off. Something else to be aware of is that the toy has many small parts. This can make it a choking hazard, so be careful if you have a baby.

 

Poor Value Solar Dancing Toys

14. Dancing Surfer Boy

 

While this toy is entertaining there were a few things we didn’t like about it. The first issue is that, unlike other solar toys on this list, the surfer isn’t a bobble head. The head doesn’t move at all which is an interesting design choice. Instead the entire torso moves from side to side.

What we also don’t like about this toy is that it’s enormous. This is a negative point if you’re planning on putting it on your dashboard. We found that it would occasionally impede our view, and could pose a driving hazard.

The design is also really bad. For example, the surfer isn’t standing on a surfboard. It’s actually a plastic circle and this is a bit disappointing. For all of these bad points, it’s a cheerful looking toy, which will remind you of fun days at the beach.

 

15. Wagging Middle Finger

 

This toy is best placed in the adult category. It features a middle finger which wags back and forth when left in the sun. This is sure to draw the attention of passing motorists or people walking by. If you’re someone who enjoys sending a message, then you’re going to enjoy this toy. It also makes an excellent novelty gift, and is great for bachelor parties or similar events.

There’s only one problem which is that the finger is backwards. The nail is facing the palm of the hand, which is a weird design choice. We have no idea why the manufacturers decided to do this, but it’s very strange.

 

16. Smiley Face Graduation

 

This is another straight forward toy. It’s a smiley face wearing a graduation gown, and has a certificate in its hand. While the toy is well made the motion is limited. The head bobs up and down and that’s about all it does.

It would be nice if the arms moved as well. This would be a nice touch and make it look as if the figure was celebrating. Apparently, this wasn’t something the designers thought of. It’s also difficult to see the appeal of this toy.

If you’re looking for a graduation gift, then the search is over. Other than that, there’s no real reason to buy it. Unless you really love solar toys, and want this for your collection, it’s probably a waste of money.

 

17. Swinging Fish and Palm Tree

 

This toy isn’t great, to put it politely. It has a simplistic design which features a fish swinging from a palm tree. From what we’ve seen the toy is cheap and badly manufactured. The movement isn’t great either. All the fish does is swing back and forth.

This is probably something which could have been achieved without solar power. All in all, we wouldn’t recommend getting this product, even if it was on sale.

 

18. Swinging Monkey

 

This toy is extremely basic. It’s essentially a swinging monkey with a head that bobbles. There’s not much to say about it, other than the toy is badly made. For example, the monkey doesn’t swing freely. This means it won’t swing back and forth as you drive your car. Definitely not worth getting, even at a discount.

 

19. Bobble-head Swinging Monkey

 

Animals seem to be one of the most popular categories when it comes to these solar toys. Unfortunately, this is definitely one of the worst products on our list. To be honest this is more of a regular toy, than an actual solar dancing toy.

The biggest disappointment is that it does almost nothing. Basically it’s designed to look as if the monkey is hanging by its tail and eating bananas. The head is supposed to move from side to side and this heightens the effect. But does the swinging monkey actually do this? Not really.

This toy looks as if it will fall apart in no time at all. We also found it extremely ugly. The only real positive is that the monkey swings freely. This might make it a good choice if you’re looking for something to go on your dashboard. On the other hand, if you want a high quality solar dancing toy, then save your money and give this one a miss.

 

20. Music Playing Cactus

 

This is by far one of  the worst toys on this list. The biggest problem is that it isn’t made from plastic. Instead, this toy is made from cheap fabric, with electronic parts fitted inside of it. This makes it fragile and very likely to break. Another issue is that it doesn’t feature what’s shown in ads or on the website.

According to the business who sells this toy; it plays 120 songs and also has voice recording features. None of this is actually true. Yes, the toy does play music, but this is limited to four songs. These also play at an ear splitting volume and are extremely irritating.

What’s also funny about this toy is that it’s listed as a solar power toy, but actually needs batteries. This is extremely suspicious and makes you wonder if it actually works on solar power. Like many things you buy online, there’s a good chance that this might be a rip off.

Bottom line: be careful if you get this toy for your kids.

 

Final Thoughts

With this list of recommendations you can find solar toys at great prices. These solar powered dancing toys make a great addition to your life. Whether you place them on the dashboard of your car, a windowsill, or your desk, they’re sure to brighten up your day.