Stand beside a fast flowing stream and it is easy to feel the power of moving water. The Kraul Water Turbine Kit lets children capture a little of that energy and turn it into real mechanical movement.
Known by Kraul as Turbinchen, or the little fast runner, this ingenious wooden turbine is designed to spin quickly as water strikes its blades. The force of the flowing or falling water is transferred to the wheel, sending the vertical axle rapidly around and making the principle of a water turbine beautifully easy to see.
Position it in a suitable stream, beneath flowing water or under a controlled water source and watch how changing the direction and strength of the flow affects its speed. A scientific idea that can sound complicated on paper suddenly becomes wonderfully simple when the child can see the turbine racing around in front of them.
And the movement does not have to end at the turbine itself.
Using a cord, the turning axle can transfer its motion to other compatible Kraul toys. Connect it to the Kraul Hammer Mill and the wooden hammers begin to tap, or use it to set the Swing Carousel spinning. Water has become movement, and that movement has been passed from one machine to another.
It offers a lovely introduction to the same fundamental idea used in water powered machinery and modern hydropower: moving water contains energy that can be captured and converted into rotary motion. In a hydroelectric power station a generator would take that process further and turn the turbine’s movement into electricity; here, children get to explore the mechanical principle itself.
There is something especially satisfying about taking the finished turbine outdoors and finding the place where it runs best. A small change in water flow can make all the difference, turning the stream itself into the experiment.
A wonderful Kraul construction kit for children who like to build, test and discover how the forces of nature can be put to work.
What Children Can Discover
• How flowing water can create movement
• How water transfers force to turbine blades
• How rotary motion is produced
• The relationship between water speed and turbine speed
• Cause and effect through practical experimentation
• How mechanical movement can be transferred from one machine to another
• The basic principle behind water powered machinery
• An introduction to the mechanical side of hydropower
• Observation, adjustment and problem solving outdoors
Product Details
• Build your own working wooden water turbine
• Designed to demonstrate the action of a water turbine
• Fast spinning vertical axle
• Can transfer movement to compatible Kraul toys using a cord
• Length: approximately 32 cm
Turn Water into Working Power
The Water Turbine becomes even more fascinating when its fast spinning movement is used to drive another Kraul mechanism.
Connect it to the Kraul Hammer Mill and watch flowing water set the little wooden hammers into motion, or use it to power the Kraul Swing Roundabout with Passengers.
For another way of exploring the same natural force, compare it with the Kraul Little Water Wheel or the more powerful Kraul Large Water Wheel. Each responds to flowing water differently, giving children the opportunity to see how the design of a wheel affects the way water power is captured.
Kraul Toys & Experiment Kits
Kraul is a family run German toy maker creating wonderfully inventive toys and experiment kits that help children discover how nature and technology really work.
Inspired by the elements of Earth, Water, Air and Fire, Kraul toys encourage children to build, observe, experiment and find things out for themselves. From working cable cars, boats and water wheels to optics, magnetism and mechanics, each design makes scientific ideas tangible through hands on discovery.
With roots in Waldorf education and a deep connection to nature, Kraul creates toys that allow children to experience an idea rather than simply being told how it works. Water wheels and other nature based toys have been part of the company’s story since Walter Kraul began developing toys inspired by his teaching and outdoor experiences with children.
Discover the full Kraul Toys & Experiment Kits collection at Magic Forest Shop.
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