YOU’LL be amazed at how much remote-controlled toy vehicles have changed since you were a kid.
Go beyond Scalextric with our round-up of the best remote-controlled cars you can buy right now, just in time for Christmas.
For younger children and even older ones, learning to drive a remote-controlled car is an exercise in concentration and will also help to develop their fine motor skills and coordination.
It’s also all-round excellent fun and you might even find yourself begging your child for a go.
From stunt vehicles and sports cars to racers and monster trucks, there are plenty of remote-controlled cars out there for your child will fall in love with,
But whatever type of vehicle you settle on, take a note of the batteries needed to power it and if you’re giving the car as a gift, either charge the batteries or supply enough that your child can get started as soon as the box is opened – there’s nothing more soul-destroying than a long wait to play!
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The best thing about this cool 4WD stunt car is that it can do a 360-degree flip, land back on its big green rubber wheels and keep right on driving.
Those grippy green tyres and two-motor system also mean that the car can be used inside and out, ramping up the excitement even further.
Parents have praised the car’s robustness and the fact that it comes with a 4.8V USB-rechargeable battery (though you’ll still need regular AA batteries to power the controller).
The toy stunt car is suitable for kids aged 6 to 12 years old, but plenty of adults will enjoy having a go with it too.
If you’re looking to buy a first remote-controlled car for a toddler aged two and up, you can’t go wrong with this fine racer from Swedish toy brand BRIO.
Its bright red chassis and streamlined bonnet look the business and the age-appropriate remote control works intuitively too, so your toddler will have it racing around the room in no time at all.
Says one reviewer on the Amazon site: “(It’s) really well made, strong and durable and well worth paying that bit extra for”.
This remote-controlled car will blow your kids’ minds.
Its patented “Wall Climbing Technology” (basically suction) allows it to defy gravity to climb walls and even take a tour of your ceiling as you control its direction with a laser pointer
The car is powered by a USB-rechargeable battery and you’ll need three AAA batteries for the laser.
“This is mad. My son loves it”, said a recent reviewer on the Argos site.
Budding engineers will discover real mechanisms and movement principles contained within this LEGO Technics set, which is a great introduction to the range for younger children.
Follow the instructions and build a high-speed fully motorised RV vehicle with ground-gripping racks that help it drive over obstacles and perform spins and sharp turns.
You can also break down and rebuild the set into a nippier remote-controlled stunt vehicle that can throw wheelies at high speeds.
On the downside, this set doesn’t use rechargeable batteries: you’ll need six AAs for the motors and three more for the controller.
Now you don’t need to be a millionaire to own a sports car – this 1:24 replica Aston Martin Vantage can be yours for the princely sum of just £11.
The design of the car is officially licensed from Aston Martin, so is perfectly detailed with real working headlights (when in motion) and rubber tyres.
The remote control works intuitively so kids can get driving with a minimum of delay, and with up to 180 minutes of drive time on five AAA batteries, they won’t have to stop either.
The car reaches top speeds of up to eight miles per hour, which makes it a “little too fast for inside the house” say some purchasers.
This imaginary-looking shark monster truck is actually an exact replica of a real-life custom Monster Jam truck, with a crucial difference: this one can race on water.
It can also perform epic manoeuvres on snow, rocks, mud and grass with ease, making it an amazing RC vehicle to play with outdoors.
The 2.4GHz frequency means you can control the Megalodon Storm from up to 30 metres away and even race up to six vehicles at once.
A beeping sensor lets you know when your monster truck is nearly out of range, so you won’t lose power or a minute of terrain-busting action.
Sun Selects is here to help you to choose the right product to suit your needs.
If you enjoyed our round-up of the best remote-controlled cars for kids, read our feature on the best advent calendars for kids.
Need some wheels for the kids? We’ve also rounded up the best balance bikes.
