DIY tornado kit, motorized whirlpool simulator — TORNADO
Tax included
In the box
- Motorized conical base with battery compartment
- Parts to assemble (motor, wires, propeller)
- Screwdriver
- Illustrated instructions
- Transparent bottle (version With bottle)
Everything you need to know
Assembly kit Ages 8+ How is a tornado born? Rather than explaining it on a chalkboard, the TORNADO kit makes one appear right on your living room table. This motorized vortex simulator is self-assembled: a gray conical base houses a small motor powered by two AA batteries, which sets the water in a transparent bottle placed on top into rotation. In a few moments, a vortex forms in the center, like an air funnel plunging into the liquid. Add a few glitter flakes or a drop of food coloring and the whirlpool becomes spectacular. The kit includes the base, the motor with its wires, the propeller and parts to assemble, a screwdriver, and an illustrated instruction manual. Two versions are available: Without bottle, to use your own 50 cl plastic mineral water bottle, or With bottle, supplied with its own 19 cm transparent bottle. A scientific experiment to do at home, to be shared with the family from age 8, combining DIY, mechanics, and fluid physics.
Highlights of the tornado kit
How a vortex is born
The tornado in a bottle: a lesson in fluid physics
A vortex is a rotary movement of a fluid around an axis. When water spins, it is pushed toward the walls of the bottle: the surface dips in the center and forms a funnel, which becomes deeper as the rotation is sustained. It is the same principle that governs the whirlpool in a draining bathtub, the eddies in a river, or, on a completely different scale, the rotating air columns of tornadoes and waterspouts.
The kit allows these phenomena to be observed without risk and at eye level. The glitter, carried by the current, materializes the lines of movement: it rises, descends, and spirals around the axis. An excellent gateway to the concepts of centrifugal force, pressure, and meteorology, perfect for a physics experiment at home or in the classroom.
A whirlpool on the table
Stormy skies, in pocket version
Tornadoes are as fascinating as they are impressive. We watch them on television, read stories about storm chasers, but we rarely see them up close. TORNADE reverses the scene: the phenomenon fits inside a water bottle, placed on a gray base with a conical design.
The most joyful moment comes when it is turned on. The water begins to spin, the surface dips, and then an air funnel plunges toward the bottom. The glitter rises in a spiral and outlines the shape of the whirlpool. Children ask questions, adults look for answers: it is exactly what one expects from a scientific object.
And because the kit is self-assembled, the satisfaction is twofold: you first understand how the machine works, then you observe what it produces.
Assembly and startup
Your tornado in four steps
Without or with bottle
| Criteria | Without bottle | With bottle |
|---|---|---|
| Motor base and parts | Included | Included |
| Screwdriver and manual | Included | Included |
| Bottle | To be provided: 50 cl plastic mineral water bottle | Transparent bottle provided, Ø 6.2 cm × 19 cm |
| Batteries | 2 x 1.5 V AA batteries not included | 2 x 1.5 V AA batteries not included |
| Ideal for | Recycling an everyday bottle | Starting the experiment immediately |
Good to know
Kit contents: conical motor base with battery compartment, small motor and wires, propeller and parts to assemble, screwdriver, and illustrated manual; the With bottle version adds a transparent bottle. The two 1.5 V AA batteries are not included, nor are the glitter and food coloring seen in the promotional photos.
Observation tip: fine, light glitter follows the current better than large confetti. A single drop of food coloring is enough: if too concentrated, the water obscures the funnel. Place the bottle in front of a window or lamp to make the glitter shine and better see the shape of the vortex.
Safety: this kit contains small parts and is not suitable for children under 3 years old due to the risk of choking. It is recommended for ages 8+; adult presence is advised during assembly and handling of batteries. Carefully close the bottle before installing it and keep the base, which contains the motor and batteries, away from water. Remove the batteries if not in use for an extended period.
Technical specifications
| Type | Assembly kit, motorized tornado simulator |
| Base | Conical, gray, with motor and battery compartment |
| Base dimensions | Ø 11 cm × 7 cm |
| Bottle (With bottle version) | Transparent, Ø 6.2 cm × 19 cm |
| Bottle (Without bottle version) | 50 cl plastic mineral water bottle, to be provided |
| Power supply | 2 x 1.5 V AA batteries (not included) |
| Box dimensions | 21.5 × 17 × 7 cm |
| Included tool | Screwdriver |
| Documentation | Illustrated assembly manual |
| Recommended age | Ages 8+ (not recommended for under 3s: small parts) |
| Compliance | CE Marking |
A scientific gift idea
For curious children and weather enthusiasts
Birthday, Christmas, or just a desire to build something together on a Sunday: TORNADE is a scientific gift that is meant to be shared. It occupies the hands during assembly, the mind during observation, and leaves an object to display on a shelf or desk.
To extend the exploration, pair it with the AURORE crystal barometer, which reacts to the weather, or the CYCLONE centripetal force demonstrator, the other side of rotation.
