Go to any general store and you will likely find die-cast toy cars for kids. These are popular toy cars partly due to their price. But what about more unique toy cars for kids? While it might be difficult to find unique toy cars for the price of Hot Wheels, plenty do exist.
Some unique toy cars for kids are tin wind-up toys like the retro Buffalo Spiral Race Car (seen here). It is designed as a foot long tin toy car with red accents and pretend driver. This unique car works when kids pull out a spiral rod from the back of the toy. You can purchase the Buffalo Spiral Race Car from Quincy Shop for $29.95 online. This gift is recommended for people over 8 years old.
Tin cars are not the only retro toys that make unique gifts for kids. Pedal cars are equally as retro and unique. They are generally designed after classics such as the Model T or the ’65 Ford Mustang. If your kid is always grabbing for Hot Wheels at the store, then imagine what they might do if they saw (this) ’55 Classic Sidewalk Cruiser Hot Rod which is painted black with side flames. This pedal hot rod costs $219 from Pedal Cars and Retro Collectables. It is recommended for children 3 to 5 years old.
Some kids might get a bigger thrill out of riding on a more modern-looking toy car though. Most of the battery powered ride on toys made for kids are modeled after vehicles of today. Battery powered SUV ride-ons are popular choices. You can find a unique SUV ride-on at Hammacher Schlemmer. Their Super Powered Ride-On is an all-terrain toy SUV that seats two kids safely. This unique gift is equipped with a 24 volt electric motor, FM radio, and working horn. Kids can drive the toy SUV up to speeds of 7.5 MPH. It costs $999.95 and is intended for children 3 to 10 years old. (www.hammacher.com)
Another unique option for a battery powered ride-on is the Tilt and Steer Racer found at Mini Tots for $336 online. This ride-on toy can achieve speeds up to 8.5 MPH while kids use their body weight to steer. (www.minitots.com)
Car toys that offer the opportunity for a learning experience, in addition to fun, are quite unique. For instance, kids who like automobiles can learn about solar energy and photovoltaic cells when you buy the Physics Solar Workshop for them. This unique gift allows kids to build various models, such as a truck, while focusing on solar energy as power. It costs $59.95 from the Discovery Channel Store. (www.discovery.com)
And, another educational toy car for kids is the Hydrocar. But instead of solar power, this unique vehicle deals with the power of water and clean energy. It is also available from the Discovery Channel Store for $79.95 online (here).
Unique toy cars for kids are also those that can not just be played with, but be built themselves. For something a little more unique than standard models, check out (this) Erector Deluxe Radio Control Tuner Car toy from the Discovery Channel Store. Kids can build and customize their own racer, convertible or big rig with these erector sets. Besides the radio controlled feature, one of the most unique things about these RC toys is their ability to play MP3s. This gift is currently on sale for $79.99, and is recommended for people over 8 years old
A fun and unique RC toy car younger kids can build themselves is the Gears! Gears! Gears! Floppy Jalopy. The jalopy is built out of 133 pieces and includes silly parts such as a bumper mouth, springs, headlights that resemble eyes. Children can follow the directions or choose to build their own unique vehicle. Toys Camp has this gift on sale for $23.82 online. It is recommended for those ages 4 to 9 years old. (www.toyscamp.com)
There are also some unique RC cars on the market that kids do not have to actually build, such as (these) remote-controlled Laser Combat Cars. This gift consists of two 6″ vehicles that people can simply operate around or use to battle one another in a laser war. If battled, the person who hits the other unprotected combat vehicle 10 times with their laser wins. This RC toy costs $99.95 online at Hammacher Schlemmer.
