Concept #1

Baking soda/ vinegar powered boat

Toy Principle: The propulsion power provided by mixing baking soda and vinegar.

Age Group: 8+

Interaction: This toy is meant for children to observe a basic chemical reaction that is formed by mixing baking soda and vinegar. By mixing these 2 reactants, a gas forms, which is used to propel a boat on water. Children will use this toy in areas with water such as the bath tub, a pool, or perhaps the beach. First, a premeasured amount of baking soda is placed into the chamber in the boat. Vinegar is then added and the chamber is pluged up so that the gas would only escape at the rear of the boat, thus causing propulsion.

The toy would be constructed with shatter resistant plastics, and the design will be weighted accordingly so that the boat would float correclty and not tip. To produce many unit, I suggest a form of injection molding. The mixing chamber would have a plug made of cork or rubber, and recommend that it be attached to the boat with a string or some sort. This would eliminate the chance of it being lost or being swallowed by a younger child. The boat would come in several colors to keep variety, and maybe different boat designs will be implemented if cost permits.