Simple Engineering Fun: 13 of the Best Wind Up Toys

 Wind-up toys use elementary engineering to operate. A key, crank, or rotating knob is turned to tighten a mainspring. The tightly wound spring is full of potential energy, and when released, it powers the toy’s mechanisms. Wind up toys roll, hop, flip, climb, and even propel through the water. Toys that kids can assemble themselves and wind up toys with a clearly visible mechanism are incredibly engaging and educational. Wind-up toys have maintained a level of popularity for more than 100 years and continue to entertain children and adults.

11 Of The Best Wind Up Toys Compared

Kikkerland Cosmojetz Windup
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4M Wind-Up Dinosaurs Kit
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Kikkerland Sparklz Wind Up Gear Box
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Halloluck 4 Pcs Funny Clockwork Spring Wind Up Toys
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Niwoed  Wind-Up Bath Toys
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ZhongRuiYongQiang Chattering Teeth
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Z Windups Z Morph Toy, Dino, Spikey
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Wind Up Workshop Robots Kit
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Best Wind-Up Toys Reviewed

Kikkerland Cosmojetz Windup

Kikkerland Cosmojetz Windup - wind up toys

The Kikkerland Cosmojetz Windup is a simple little wind-up toy that is super cool! Wind it up, let it go, and watch as it catapults itself around. Its movements are unpredictable and erratic. This clever wind-up toy will keep your family endlessly entertained and constantly surprised by where it ends up.

Made from stainless steel with plastic feet that won’t scratch the table as the out-of-control wind-up toy movement delights children and adults. The wind-up mechanism takes a little effort to wind up but is absolutely worth it. Wind-up toys are great gifts and Christmas stocking stuffers for engaging fun.

4M Wind-Up Dinosaurs Kit

4M Wind-Up Dinosaurs Kit - wind up toys

The 4M Wind-Up Dinosaurs Kit lets your child build four fun, brightly colored dinosaurs that are also wind-up toys. Each dinosaur is made up of easy to assemble cardboard pieces that are placed on a wind-up mechanism. This really fun kit combines wind-up toys and creativity for endless fun.

Each child can build and race their dinosaur wind-up toy against friends and siblings’ prehistoric beasts with four wind-up dinosaurs. The parts are high-quality materials to endure some holiday season racing fun and are child-safe, perfect for children ages five years and up.  

Kikkerland Sparklz Wind Up Gear Box

Kikkerland Sparklz Wind Up Gear Box

The Kikkerland Sparklz Wind Up Gear Box is another unique educational wind-up toy from Kikkerland, and this one makes sparks! The simple design allows kids to see how the spring mechanism works to create motion and how friction creates sparks. The large key makes it easy to wind, and it is an excellent little wind-up toy.

Made from stainless steel spring and wheels, the little critter wobbles everywhere, fun entertainment to engage little ones, and party favor for special events. Older kids will be as fascinated watching the gears’ movement, which may even spark some STEM interests. 

Halloluck 4 Pcs Funny Clockwork Spring Wind Up Toys

The Halloluck Funny Clockwork Spring Wind Up Toys includes four animal wind-ups, a frog, rabbit, mouse, and a cock; the perfect gift for kids. The frog is a favorite toy of both children and adults. Kids love the bright colors and fun jumping action, and adults love that it reminds them of the metal wind-up toys they played with as children. It’s a durable little toy that works on any flat, hard surface.

Likewise, kids can choose which of the four animals will be their new favorite toy. Will it be the green frog, the bright orange mouse, the cute pink and white rabbit decorated with flowers, or the red and green cock?

Kikkerland MxyKikker Windup

Kikkerland MxyKikker Windup - wind up toys

The Kikkerland MxyKikker Windup resembles some bug-like critter, and this critter really climbs! The wind-up mechanism rotates the feet to propel them forward. If a small object gets in its way, it will climb right over it. The MxyKikker has pretty good ascension capabilities for a small, simple toy.

With a blue or silver body and clear plastic feet, this is one of the best windup toys for kids who like bugs; it’s an excellent idea for birthday party favors. Friends will be amazed when they watch your kid locate the key system at the center-right set of legs, and the toy comes to life by rotating the legs backward. 

A cool windup toy that does some fantastic climbing and can even walk upside down.

Niwoed  Wind-Up Bath Toys

Make bath time fun with the Niwoed Wind-Up Bath Toys. Four animal wind-ups in fun colors will grab any boy or girl’s attention. Excellent for interactive play and developing hand-eye coordination, motor skills, and imagination as your baby grabs and plays with the wind-ups. 

Made from high-quality eco-friendly ABS material with a smooth surface, the toys are safe for kids. Toddlers can play with the windups like regular bath toys, or they can let them loose and have a water race. Grab the legs of sea turtle, piggy, duckie, or the whale, and it won’t spin. Piggy can spray water; hold it under the water to fill and then squeeze it. 

Get rid of the water after bath time by holding the wind-up toys on their side. The toys are sealed to prevent water from entering and damaging the windup mechanics. 

ZhongRuiYongQiang Chattering Teeth

The entertaining Chattering Teeth wind-up guarantees a smile. Who knew teeth could have a personality! These walking chattering teeth are perfect for kids-party favors, Christmas stocking fillers, or just for gags. 

Adhering to US toy standards, these wind-ups are 100% toxin-free and made from durable plastic for rough handling. With seven pieces, the entire family can have some chattering fun. The fun toys are small enough to carry and slip onto the dinner table for amusing reactions. 

Z Windups Z Morph Toy, Dino, Spikey

Z Windups Z Morph Toy, Dino, Spikey - wind up toys

Is it a dinosaur or a car? The Z Windups Z Morph Toy, Dino, Spikey are both! Wind up this car, let it go, and all of a sudden, the tail pops up rear wheels spin, legs fold down, and the dino head pops up. The cool dinosaur walks around, and then it transforms back into a car and rolls around. A fun, unique, wind-up toy!

Like, dinosaurs, vintage spinning, and wind-up toys have been around for a while, but this Morph toy takes dinosaurs and cars to another level. Wonder if Santa Claus would enjoy this ride?

Wind Up Workshop Robots Kit

Wind Up Workshop Robots Kit - wind up toys

The Wind Up Workshop Robots Kit is a great way for kids to exercise their creativity and enjoy playing with fun wind-up toys. The kit includes five wind-up toys and everything needed, including stickers, wiggly eyes, cardboard robot parts, and mini markers to transform the robots creatively. Everyone in the family will love creating their own robot!

Give your robots character with wiggly eyes and retro-robot stickers. The fun robot wind-up toys are so delightful, children will adore them, and parents are reminded of their childhood playing with imaginative robot toys.

Dazzling Toys Classic Wind up Train on Tracks

Dazzling Toys Classic Wind up Train on Tracks - wind up toys

The Dazzling Toys Classic Wind-up Train on Tracks is a set of five little trains, each with its own track. The colorful tracks measure 20 inches long. Wind up the train and watch as it drives itself around. It is a fun toy for your youngest train enthusiast.

With five trains and five tracks, each set has 4 track pieces, and a train, friends and siblings can each play with a separate track train set. Have fun or add it to your collection of cars, trains, ships, and other vintage toys.

4M Wind Up Robots Kit

4M Wind Up Robots Kit - wind up toys

The 4M Wind Up Robots Kit challenges your child’s imagination and maker skills. Use the enclosed safe, high-quality materials to build four different, vibrantly colored wind-up toys. Play with each robot on its own or line them up and have a robot race!

Although all four robots twirl and move with similar mechanics, each robot’s movements seem different with a unique head and body. Recommended for ages five years and up, but the entire family can enjoy some laughs cheering the robot winning the race.

Spinning and wind-up toys are simple fun for children and adults. Do you have a favorite wind-up toy? Tell us about it in the comments below!

Feature image courtesy of Flickr, Matt Biddulph.

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