Gadgets Gizmos Gossip

If you’ve been watching James May’s Toy Stories you may have been reminded of the fun that you had as a child playing with Lego, Meccano, Scalextric and Plasticene.

Mr May clearly has fond memories of his childhood, playing with toys that encouraged and fostered creativity. Unlike today’s computer consoles and shoot-em-up games construction toys like Lego and Meccano provided many hours of hands-on fun as well as being educational. Its unlikely that youngsters are going to learn very much from playing the latest version of Call of Duty.

If you too are yearning to return to your childhood, or perhaps you would like to give your children a taste of what you played with as a child now is your chance.

Modelzone are currently running a competition to win a Scalextric Street Car Race Set. It’s a free entry competition and all you have to do is answer one simple question by email to be in with a chance to win. Your entry must be in by November 29th so why not take a look at the competition details on the Modelzone blog and get your entry in today.

With Christmas nearing, thoughts turn to presents, and whilst Christmas is generally the time for giving, it is also a nice time of year to reward and treat yourself.

It is also the one magical time of year when adults can abandon their ‘grown-up’ status and indulge that child inside.

There are so many great possibilities with Scalextric, from the style of track you build, to the type of cars you run on it, each option provides a different experience.

We found the following video on YouTube of a four track drift circuit, which features four minis battling it out to be the ‘Last Mini Standing’:

The whole setting has been so well thought out, with all the little extras from the trees to the street lighting adds a fantastic ambiance that really sets the scene.

So just how can you create a similar scene yourself? The Sport World track designer is a great piece of software which helps you to create your perfect Scalextric track from your own PC.

We all know that British summers don’t always have the best of weather, so here are some great gadgets for your kids to keep them entertained, whether it’s raining or not.

The first great gadget for your kids is the Build A Remote Control Car. This great toy needs no technical skills, it’s simple and easy to make. The car all tools needed to make the car and a wireless remote control unit.

The next gadget is the Fast Track Racers. This great toy will keep any child entertained for hours, simply attached the 10 race track pieces together, choose your race car and start racing, as simple as that. The race track comes with barriers to stop those collisions that the cross-over might cause.

This next gadget is a must have for any child, a Metal Detector. This amazing adjustable height metal detector is a must have accessory for any budding treasure hunter, simple and easy to use, the detector simply buzzes when metal is found. Suitable for outside and in the home, a great way to find keys or jewellery.

The final gadget is the Secret Detectors. They’re great for keeping your secrets and belongings safe. The Secret Detectors come with 2 different detectors, the Motion Alarm and the Intruder Alarm. The Motion Alarm simply clips to a bags, cases or anything really and if it moves, an alarm sounds. The Intrusion Alarm alerts you with a sound whenever someone enters a restricted zone. Great for any child to have some fun around the house.

All these gadgets and toys are from the traditional toy shop, Mulberry Bush.