How’s this for a nifty idea? A rocking horse that harnesses your child’s pent-up energy to create energy for the home! After a stint of horse riding, you’ll not only have one very happy and worn-out child, you’ll also have two flashlights or night lights charged up and ready to go!

Rocco, an entrant in this year’s Greener Gadgets design competition in New York, was designed to teach children about energy and conservation through play – the rocking motion and a few well-placed magnets turn kinetic energy into electrical energy, which you’ll see by the horse’s ears (that also double as handles) getting brighter. Once fully charged, the ears can be removed and used as flashlights or night lights. Is there a cooler way to get your kids excited about science?

Not only will Rocco light up your world, but he’ll make it a cleaner and greener one too – he’s made of one hundred per cent post-consumer recycled plastic. So as far as we’re concerned, in terms of legendary horses he’s up there with Phar Lap.

Good luck in the comp, Rocco… Giddyup!

(Via Inhabitots)