Toys/demonstrations can be used either before or after the concept is presented in the classroom.  If you use them before the concepts are presented, students tend to have fun but not really understand the physical concepts behind the toys. But that is all right too. Once they discover how things work they will never forget.

However, it is very effective to use toys/demonstrations as a review of the physics material covered in the classrooms. Students enjoy classroom projects that can be used competitively where students collaborate in teams and have peer discussions.  But it is important for the teachers to ask the relevant physics questions in these projects and have extensive discussion on the physics topics.  Here you will find contest projects and the relevant physics questions for the students to ponder upon.

Toys or toy-like devices are presented here according to the physics topics. They are simple and inexpensive toys (usually under $5.00) that you can make with the students in the classrooms, usually taking a classroom period, or commercially ready made toys that can be purchased in science museum stores, toy stores or  drug stores to use as demonstrations to teach physics concepts. 

The construction techniques are quite basic: e.g., using a screwdriver, sawing wood pieces, hammering nails, drilling holes in plastic pipes, or using a hot-glue gun, and occasionally soldering.  I have selected toys that are easy and quick to build. 

The toys presented here are either created or collected from various sources.  I will try my best to acknowledge the creators of each toy when appropriate. Whenever appropriate links to other physics sites will be provided to enable users to get more in-depth or broader information.

Have fun learning physics!

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