Solar Bag
Fill our Solar Bag with air and let solar energy make it float
Usually ships out the next day.
Recommend for 8 to 9 years with adult supervision.
Deal of the Day
We guarantee you have never seen a Solar Bag like this! Our Solar Bag measures 15 meters (50 ft) long and 74 cm (29 in) in diameter. The thin, black plastic bag holds over 60 cubic meters (200 cubic ft) of air. Simply fill with air by running, tie off the ends, and let the solar energy of the sun heat the air inside the bag. Within minutes, the bag rises to the sky and floats like a giant science tube. Better tie it down or you'll be flying as well! We have provided 400 feet of Solar Bag String to let your Solar Bag fly high and yet still be able to bring it down when you are done with it. Includes a complete science activity guide. Recommended for children ages 8 and up.
What's included?
- 15 meter (50 ft) long Solar Bag
- 400 Feet of Solar Bag String
- Activity guide with student worksheets
How does it work?
After rolling out the bag and tying one of the ends, you have to run around and fill the bag with air. Once it is full, tie the other end so that air can’t escape and watch the power of the sun at work! The solar energy will heat up the air inside the bag causing the molecules to move around and bump into all sides of the solar bag and make it rise! This is a perfect experiment to learn about the properties of air, buoyancy and convection. It's amazing science at work!
What does it teach?
Learn about the properties of air and air pressure. Discover the science behind density and buoyancy and how they are affected by heat.Product FAQ
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How much weight will it lift off the ground?
The solar bag is not intended to lift any weight while it rises.
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How high can it float?
The sky’s the limit on this one. We have let a solar bag or two go and its been observed by satellites at over 120,000 feet in the air!! This is the main reason that it is best to have some string attached so that you can inflate it, watch it float, and bring it back in order to use it time and time again.
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Does it have to be a hot day?
The best environment for the solar bag activity is to have the sun shining with a cool temperature. You want the air inside of the bag to be able to heat up from where it originally was so that it can rise.
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How many times can you use it?
The solar bag is made out of a light weight plastic material and will tear easily. If you are gentle with it, you may be able to use it several times.
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Guinness World Record Event
May 7th, 2009
Click the thumbnail below to see the video.
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COOL it’s a UFO!
Donavon Leu - January 11, 2012
My 4th graders had a great time watching the big black bag float up, up, and up. We did have a slight malfunction while filling the bag. Temperature was 30 degrees F and the grass had frost on it. As soon as the bag slid across the grass we had multiple rips in the bag. No problem, we just ripped the bag down to about 3 meters, filled it with air, tied it and away it went, awesome! |
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Bags tore
Susan A - November 19, 2011
I tried these with my science club on several occasions. What a bust (literally). These bags did not work. The kids were disappointed... that they tore after only several minutes.
Susan - |
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Solar bag
Sherry Dart - November 2, 2011
Love anything that I get from Steve Spangler. My students are hooked on science!!! |
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One and done....almost
Nick J - June 10, 2011
Myself and a coworker tried two of these out on the ballfield to make sure and have it down before we did it with the kids. It was amazing at first until it landed and easily put a hole in it. I understand it must be thin to fly but it almost makes it impossible to use more than once. Even the tiniest of holes can keep it grounded and those things are not easy to spot. We thouroughly enjoyed it for about 4 minutes. Too bad the students couldnt see it :) |
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Solar Bag
Christina - April 28, 2011
This was so much fun! I did it with my classes throughout the day and even tied in the angle of insolation and characteristics of the bag that made it heat up so quickly. It was quite the scene and the kids are still talking about it! |
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Solar bag
Vesta nelson - April 6, 2011
My coworkers call steve Spangler my boyfriend because I buy so much from the website and talk about all the cool experiments. . When I used it with my students, it ripped. When they were holding it, It had ripped. When we put it down, We found rips in it. When it was in the air, The bag had duck tape everywhere. :) The kids were determined to get it too work. It really didn't stay up like I saw in the video. |
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Fun for a few!
Robin - February 18, 2011
My son and friends LOVED this bag. We're very impressed with how quickly it filled and went up, however, the wind blew it into a tall oak tree and that was the end of it! Make sure you are in a WIDE open space. |
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Sad solar bag
Rachel - January 19, 2011
When I tested the solar bag with my staff, things went well. When my elementary students participated the solar big tore almost immediately. I thought maybe the bag was just faulty, so we used another solar bag I purchased and it tore within 10 minutes of trying to fill it with air. I think for the money you spend on the bag it should be able to withstand supervised elementary students.
Rachel- |
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Solar Bag
Ashley Green - November 4, 2010
I am a science lab teacher and I teach grades K-5th. I showed my 5th graders the solar bag. They throughly enjoyed it! It worked well but it did tear in the end. |
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Easy and Fun
Jim Hanifen - July 18, 2010
We finally took out the Solar bag I gave my 10 year old niece for her birthday. Went to a park where there was plenty of space. There was a light breeze which helped fill the bag, we forgot the string, so we tied the ends with hair ties, they worked great. After only a few minutes it rose in the air. It was a lot of fun, thanks again Steve Spangler! |
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So-so success - even on the ground was impressive
Mark Derail - May 31, 2010
At our fundraiser, the day was too windy and not enough sun. |
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Great product
Angela Wall Goldsboro, NC - December 10, 2009
I used one of these last year and students loved it. You do have to be careful just as the included directions specific. Also, for younger kids, I would recommend cutting the bag into several smaller bags that are easier for them to handle. It works just as well - just not quite as dramatic as the full length. I am ordering some more of them right now! |
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Bags shipped torn
Labcoat Lexie Durango, CO - November 16, 2009
I would not recommend this product. The bags were torn when I removed them from the box, thus unable to be used for our science summer camp. I imagine they tear easily, and this situation probably could not have been avoided-- but it was a bummer to have spent so much on each one to find them unusable from the start. ** Labcoat Lexie... Love the name by the way... Our customer service team will be contacting you shortly to replace your Solar Bag at no cost... Sorry for the problems. The bags are very thin, so they will fly easily. We suggest that people wear cotton gloves or remove rings and watches when using the bags. Let's us know what you think after the replacement comes and your Solar Bags are airborne. Again sorry for the inconvenience. ** - Steve Spangler Science Web Team |
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FRAGILE
Rebecca Phoenix, AZ - September 26, 2009
I had planned on using the solar bag with my 6th grade science classes. It only lasted through 1 period before getting holes in it. It was pretty disappointing. This bag is VERY easy to break, I wouldn't suggest having your students fill the bag. Also try to perform the experiment on grass so if it does fall it wont rip. |
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Not so great product
Janou Farrell Tulsa OK - August 20, 2009
Used this product one time. had planned to use it for several classes. The plastic is so thin that it tore on our first run. The film needs to be thin to work but does not stand up to use by second graders, even when being careful. |
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