We were provided a Learning Resources Primary Science Shining Stars Projector to facilitate this review; however, all opinions are our own.
My son is fascinated by astronomy, and he has been since he was a small child. I like to think that we developed his interest through the books we read to him and the trips we took to the mountains to watch the stars. Now that he has his own daughter, Ame, it’s a chance for him to share his love of all things celestial with her. She may only be six months old, but it’s not too early to interest her in the world above her.
We did just that this last weekend when we introduced her to the Primary Science Shining Stars Projector. Though it’s meant for kids ages 3 and up, it’s okay for younger kids when it’s used with an adult.
We lay on the bed and turned off the lights and in seconds, the earth and moon were within reach. Even at her young age, Ame she was enthralled by the pictures being beamed up onto the ceiling. As we switched the photos, we explained what she was seeing, and it wasn’t long before she picked up on our excitement and smiled happily at the pictures.
Primary Science Shining Stars Projector Projection Samples
I was impressed by the quality of the projection, even in our partially lit room. Sunlight was leaking in through the curtains, so there were very few completely dark areas. Still, the projector provided a quality look into the galaxy as well some of the space vehicles and humans that have ventured into space via 3-discs with eight photos each. The unit runs on three AAA-batteries, so it’s super portable.
Primary Science Shining Stars Projector – What I Love and What I Hope They’ll Change
The design of the Primary Science Shining Stars Projector is well done and easy for kids to use. The base allows a child to place the projector at any angle so it can be projected onto the ceiling, walls, floor, and anywhere else a child chooses.
The base also holds the additional photo discs. Unfortunately, I envision the base, projector, and discs becoming separated in the future. I wish that there was a way to attach the base to the projector for storage.
The discs are rigid plastic with a bump on one side which prevents little ones from putting the discs in incorrectly. The disc is turned by hand to move to the next picture. The lens has a small amount of adjustment when it comes to focusing, but I’ve not had to use it yet. Minutes after turning the projector on and being wowed by its projection capabilities, I visited the Primary Science website looking for more discs to add. Unfortunately, there don’t appear to be any. Darn it! I’d love to see more astronauts, constellations, and vehicles offered.
My only other disappointment was that fun facts about each photo were included in the instruction booklet, but nowhere else. Printing them on colorful trading cards would have been really helpful and more kid-friendly. I’ll be copying the fun facts and posting them around the room (when Ame is older) so that she’ll know what’s she’s looking at.
Those are the things I’d love to see them change, but of course, others may not feel the same way. Still, it’s the best projector of its kind that I’ve tried. So many of them produce washed-out images that are impossible to see until it’s projected just a foot or two away from your face. This one stays in focus whether it’s 6″ from you or across the room.
Get More Info and Where to Buy
Learning Resources produces toys to educate and entertain toddlers to fifth graders. Visit their site and Shop by age/grade, subject, Common Core, Special Needs, and more. Learn more about the Primary Science Shining Stars Projector and purchase it from their website or Amazon.com.
My daughter has recently started to take an interest in Astronomy. This looks like something she would really love! I also love the idea of posting the fun facts around the room.
That’s really great that the focus is so complete on these. I love that they can’t be put in incorrectly either.
Oh this looks like so much fun. My little one might enjoy this!
What a fun toy! I love projectors. They are perfect as night lights!
The Primary Science Shining Stars Projector is going to be a great gift for my friends for my nephews! Love it!
This projector is such a cool toy. It is a way to get children interested in science from an early age.
That looks really cool. I wish I would have had one of these when I was a kid. I would have put it to good use!
This is going to be something my kids are really going to like. I will have to pick up a Primary Science Shining Stars Projector this weekend.
My kids are going to love the Primary Science Shining Stars Projector. They are fascinated by astronomy.
The Primary Science Shining Stars Projector is going to be a great gift for my friends little guy. He has a birthday coming up soon.
This is a cool little projector. We had a similar one for our kids but it didn’t make such clear images.
That is so much fun! How bright is it? I bought something similar, but the light was terrible. From the images you’ve shown, the light looks bright enough to actually be useful.
Wow, I love this! I know my daughter would have fun with this projector!
My kids are so into things like this. I am definitely going to have to be looking into this projector.
This is such an awesome toy! My kids would definitely get a kick out of playing around with this.
Oh my goodness, this has to be one of the coolest things ever. My kids love projectors, but they tend to be too young for the projectors I have seen. They would love this one.
This is really neat. My girls would love this. They had something similar to this before. I’d love to get them this one.
Okay, what a brilliant idea! I bet kids love switching in and out those discs! My son would love something like this!
That is absolutely adorable! I have a new baby in the family. This would be great for her in a few months!
How cute is that?! My niece would love that! I’ll have to add it to myChristmas list.
This looks so cute! My daughter is fascinated by stuff like this, I bet she would enjoy this. It seems like something that might even help her wind down before bedtime. She has trouble with that.
This looks great. It would be perfect for my kids. They are studying astronomy this year.
I absolutely adore toys that can also teach and this looks like the quintessentially cool and fun toy for them to learn about astronomy in a really hands on way! Definitely a gift I would give for a birthday present!