This ball containing a running hamster is one of my work tools. I have owned it for a number of years and I have never had any problems with it. I have had to change the batteries once and this is with fairly constant use for at least three days a week.

The hamster itself is small enough to fit in a small hand. The top and sides are covered in a furry material, like with cuddly toys. The bottom is plastic with an on/off switch and some small wheels. The wheels turn when switched on moving the hamster forward, when in the ball it moves the ball by moving forward up the wall of the ball then weighing the wall down so it rolls along to become the floor. The ball will continue to move until it hits something and in most cases will bounce off the object a little and head in another direction. It will operate on carpet or harder flooring. When you take the hamster out of the ball it will still operate on the hard flooring but the wheels aren't big enough to operate on most carpets and if it hits an object it will generally stay still with its wheels whirring.

I find this to be a fun little toy, especially for younger children. It's safer when in the ball as the hamster itself contains small parts and isn't suitable for younger children, when in the ball this doesn't matter as the hamster is contained. The hamster is very durable and has lasted probably tens of falls off the table. I use this as a reward that the children I work with can choose if they work well. At about £2.00 or £3.00 it's well worth it. Cost per use: less than 1p.