Looking for an interesting, educational, fun and non-battery operated toy for your children? Look no further than OWIKit’s 6 in 1 Educational Solar Building Kit. It’s the latest in a line of solar toys for kids that OWIKit has been manufacturing for a few years now.

The 6 in 1 Educational Solar Building Kit, due for release next month, is designed to teach children (and adults, too) how to use solar power to drive a small motor. Consisting of 21 snap-together parts, the kit allows you to build six different working models – an airboat, a car, a windmill, a puppy, and two different planes.

Priced at about $13.95 each, these kits are bound to be a hit with both kids and parents alike. And parents in particular will love the fact that no batteries are required.

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The nation’s retailers will tell you his message of change seems to make good cents. Americans are commemorating Barack Obama’s inauguration the American way, buying up feel-good items with the new leader’s image and slogans to show support.

The supply of Obama buttons, ball caps and Victory Plates peddled online and in city streets is barely meeting the demand, giving a boost to vendors who suffered a dreary holiday retail season.

One Washington lawyer who bought a T-shirt from the Presidential Inaugural Committee store told the New York Times, “America is excited about Obama so this all makes sense because when Americans want to express their excitement, they turn to merchandising.” Spotting $70 tote bags by Diane von Furstenberg and Tory Burch, the lawyer wondered if it could all be part of the stimulus program.

None of it appears to be organic, recycled or whittled from responsibly-planted forests, but from what I can tell, stuff sold at official sites like Store Barak Obama appears to be made in the USA, which I suppose is a start. We greenies can turn to sites like Say It Green to customize our own presidential products.

The upside to collecting the genuine political buttons, stamps and other memorabilia is an investment in the future. They could be worth a great deal some day as vintage memorabilia. And of course, they can be quite meaningful to Americans witnessing a day when we have, indeed, overcome so many biases and obstacles of the past.

If you are looking to buy into the message, you don’t have to travel far. The QVC television shopping network has already sold 100,000 items related to the election according to Dallas News. QVC sees today as a chance to hit a wider consumer audience – and will broadcast live from Washington to push pocket watches and other souvenirs. The host will not just display a flawless French manicure but also dress for success…in a ball gown.

I don’t think I will be whipping out my credit card. I am, however, reading Dreams of my Father, my book group’s current selection, to understand more about the struggles and successes that have shaped the 44th president. I can’t wear it or wave it or drink coffee from it, but in my mind, it’s a $15 well spent.

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Wondering what to get your little Susie Homemaker for her birthday? How bout an eco-friendly appliance, like the Wonderworld Washing Machine Play Set or Kitchen Sink, $90 at Toys R Us?

Just think of the hours of fun loading the machine on a cold cycle with green detergent or scrubbing those vegan casserole pans by hand! “No dessert, Miss Susie, until that pile of organic cotton napkins is folded and put away!” Speaking as the mother of two chronically messy daughters (why hang up that dress when you can toss it into the hamper?), you can never begin the training too early. Otherwise, your darling little ones will grow into the kind of disorderly dorm mates wise co-eds try to avoid. One more incentive: They look absolutely adorable in the playroom.

Wonderworld describes itself as “a strong advocate of protecting the environment” and uses friendly rubberwood and only non-toxic color and laquer finishes for all of its products. “This not only contributes to the safety proposition for children but also demonstrates our determined commitment to mother earth,” says the toy company.

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