Educational InsightsGeoSafari Motorized Solar System - Space Toys & STEM Learning for Kids, Model Planet Kit, Science Classroom or Bedroom Decor, Astronomy Sets and Gifts for Boys & Girls Ages 8+

My son loves this toy! For someone who didn’t really care about planets before, he is now hooked. I got him this toy to see about exploring and learning about new things. I have ordered EI toys when my kids were younger and have loved all of their games and learning toys. This is great for older kids. I ordered it from Amazon and the box kept the pieces inside sturdy and safe. The planets were very easy to install. I did have to help my son figure out the order of the planets, but the EI instructions made it easy to figure out the order. I had to look for the symbols on the planets for my son, but once I showed him, he was able to match up the symbol and the planet from the book and put together the whole model.His favorite part was turning on the constellation dome. He was yelling in the bathroom as he was looking at all of the constellations. I love that EI also suggests to use it as a nightlight. The first two nights, he wanted to sleep with it on when it was bedtime. I told him only those nights since it was running on batteries. But, the instructions said it would turn off in 20 minutes and it did turn off. The instruction booklet had ton of information about the planets and constellations, so I think he will eventually get to reading the book and learning more about them all.He noticed how the planets all moved in the same direction when we turned the motion part on. We did talk about how it’s completely built to scale, but that the order of the planets are correct and that the size comparison is pretty close. It really helps that the planets are not just one color, but looks very similar to pictures we can see on the internet. Every day I come home from work, he is looking at it and turning it on and watching the planets go around. It’s a great interactive toy that really will help kids learn more about planets after reading the booklet. I will definitely recommend it to some of my friends who have kids who love outer space!

The GeoSafari® Motorized Solar System is a fantastic educational tool for kids of most ages! It is easy to put together; I think it took about 5 minutes. It comes with an instruction booklet explaining how to put it together, but more importantly, it has a teacher's guide to give ideas of ways to use the solar system and fun facts. The solar system itself can be viewed in a stationary setting or while rotating. The group of planets closer to the sun rotate faster than the group further from the sun which is great but my science guy husband says he wished each planet would rotate progressively faster to make it more realistic. Personally, I would have liked the planets to be more detailed and realistic looking, but otherwise love this product. The way the system is set up, you can use it with the sun or the constellations projecting. The package says the recommended ages for the product are ages 8-12 but I've actually been using with with my soon to be 5 year old. She has always loved the moon and has more recently become interested in the stars and the planets. This model solar system is the perfect way to visually explain to her how the plants move and why it gets dark at night (a question she asks often!). Kids should be able to grow with this product. Younger kids can learn a little about the earth's rotation around the sun and use the constellation projection as a nightlight because it has an automatic shut off after 20 minutes. As kids get older, they can learn about where the rest of the planets sit, how quick or slow they move and learn the symbols for each planet. All in all, we love this motorized solar system and know we will use it for years to come. We received the GeoSafari® Motorized Solar System from Educational Insights to try out for free but all opinions are my own. #educationalinsights

Best gift for your little one.

Bought as birthday gift for space and planet loving grandson.It was an immediate hit; he especially loves the rotation setting, which shows is small form, how the planets rotate around the sun.There is also another setting where you remove the top half of the “sun” and replace it with a galaxy top and it displays well in a dark room (we do it at night - somewhat like a night light).Easily set up/put together. Needs AA batteries and small Phillips head screwdriver.Definitely a toy for space/planet lovers.

This model is really not very educational; though the included manual does contain some basic facts. My 5 year old knows more about the solar system than this model can offer. The key problems are:1. Very poor quality of manufacture. e.g. the top half of the sun when assembled does not really fit and will fall off with the slightest nudgeThe model is battery powered and the batteries (4 of them) go into the base that has a screw to close the battery compartment - but there is no switch to switch the model on and off. The moment you install the batteries, the central pillar starts spinning and then you cannot attach the planets to the pillar. If you attach the planets first then it is very difficult to install the batteries without knocking some lanes off.The connection between the planet rods to the central pillar does not have a proper fit - a couple of times of attaching and removing them causes the socket to come loose; then the exercise of attaching the batteries becomes even more difficult.Though the central pillar is motorised, all the planets rotate at the same speed - so the core learning opportunity of learning how the revolution cycles differ is lost.In summary, I would suggest that the buyer find something else that would be more value for money. I was immensely disappointed. For the money I spent, I expect to at least get the following:1. An on/off switch2. A sun that does not keep loosing its top half at the slightest nudge3. An assembly that does not shake itself loose in 2 or 3 cycles of atatching and removing the planets4. A gearing system built in to ensure that the planets revolve around the sun in some kind of indicative speed that is relative to each otherAn altogether disappointing item.

Fit nicely. Granddaughter was very excited.