Pretty Gifts for Children: Top 11 Toys Made to Motor, Racers to Robots

#2   Automoblox
Combining the old-fashioned quality of hand-carved wooden toys with modern style and modularity, Automoblox has created retro-pretty toy cars with parts that kids can mix and match from several models. Accessories and moving parts come in a rainbow of colors, fit for boys or girls. You can register your car online, too. ($34.99)
- Go to Automoblox official website
- Buy Automoblox online

#3   Robosapien
Toy robots have come a long way from the clunky windup wobblers of yesteryear. Wow Wee's Robosapien ups the aesthetics and athletics considerably. With 84 programmable actions, it walks, talks, dances, even picks up and throws things. ($39-$59)
- Buy Robosapien online

#4   Vilac: Formule Racing Car
Made in France, the beautifully styled tin car is a classic, meant for toy rooms with Steiff teddy bears, porcelain collectibles and a Victorian dollhouse. It's also a gorgeous set piece for photo ops with your little ones. We're delighted to see such a wonderful toy from simpler times. ($180)
- Buy Vilac: Formule Racing Car online

#5   Transformers: Ultimate Bumblebee
Although we're a little chagrined Hasbro didn't make retro, smaller (ahem... more affordable) Transformers that have the same quality of the toys of the 1980s, the Transformers Ultimate series is mind-blowing. How they got a toy to shape-shift so intricately still amazes. We've already had a hard time finding these in stock, and we've seen resellers asking twice the MSRP. Beware. ($79.99)
- Buy Ultimate Bumblebee online

#6   H-Racers
Named one of the Best Inventions of 2006 by 'TIME Magazine', the H-Racer is a toy car run by a hydrogen fuel cell, with a completely miniaturized version of the same tech in hydrogen-fueled autos. It's still brilliant in 2007 and a Top 11 Eco-Friendly Toys pick, too. ($115)
- Learn more about H-Racers
- Buy H-Racers online
- See our Top 11 Eco-Friendly Toys list

#7   Polar Express Train Set
We already adore the book and movie, so now we love Lionel's train set for 'Polar Express.' With a die-cast metal Berkshire steam locomotive that puffs smoke, light-up coach cars and a storybook design, it's a beautiful toy that most surely will revive the childhood magic in anyone. ($235)
- Buy the Polar Express Train Set online

#8   Remote Control Mini-Cooper
As if the life-size Mini-Coopers weren't cute enough, the miniature version drove us into cute overload. It can whip around rather quickly for a toy. We plan on adding racing-stripe decals to shoosh it up a bit. ($99)
- Buy the Remote Control Mini-Cooper online

#9   Tekno Best Friend Robot - Sakura
How about a robot that's better suited for the Barbie set? Looking as if it twirled right out of anime, the sleek and pretty Sakura spins, dances, talks and records your secrets, too. Ooh! ($39-$69)
- Buy Sakura online

#10   Remote Control Palm-Z Plane
Only 4 in. long and with a wingspan of just 8.25 in., the Palm-Z is tiny, but that's what makes it so fun. Since the cutesy plane is designed to fly at a slow speed, you can spend more time flying it than losing sight of it. It appeals to kids and adults alike. ($29.99)
- Buy the Remote Control Palm-Z Plane online

#11   Burlington Zephyr Chrome Train
Modeled after the classic Burlington Flying Yankee ''Zephyr'' trains from the 1930s, this nostalgic windup is a lovely addition to any toy collection. Even if it's never played with, it's a beautiful piece of decor. ($19.99)
- Buy Burlington Zephyr Chrome Train online


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