It’s time to go back to basics with the Pac-Man Arcade Gold Plug N Play.

When you need a break from the 14 button controller of your PlayStation 12 you can always fall back on the iconic games of Christmas past. 

With Arcade Gold by Jakks Pacific, you get four Pac-Man games in one controller along with Dig-Dug, Galaxian, New Rally-X, and Bosconian; unfortunately there’s no Mrs. Pac-Man. 
The included video and audio jacks plug directly into your TV, there’s nothing additional you need to purchase. 

Jakks Pacific makes a variety of game controllers.  Arcade Gold is the controller pictured above which includes eight games:  Original Pac-Man, Super Pac-Man, Pac & Pal, Pac-Man Plus, Galaxian, Dig Dug, New Rally-X, and Bosconian.  I recommend Original Pac-man and Galaxian.  The controller runs from 4 "AA" batteries (not included).  The joystick unit connects to your TV via an audio and video jack (included and attached to the joystick). 
With one on/off switch, a lighted button for game selection and pause, a joystick and fire button, the unit can’t get much easier to use. 

For ages 6 years and up.

[Get It $190]

What is it about flying machines that’s so intriguing?  The Blade® CX2 from E-Flight elevates the excitement with a beginner-friendly Heli that can be flown indoors; and the best part is that it won’t chop off your head! 

The CX2 comes ready-to-fly, I just took it out of the box, put in the battery’s and began having fun.  If you’ve never flown a RC Helicopter before, this is an excellent model to begin with; but you should still probably read the directions as the beefy remote can seem a little daunting.  You might also want to pick up some extra blades.  On the other hand, if you’re an experienced heli enthusiast, you’ll still have fun maneuvering the CX2 around your house.

The CX2 offers Spektrum™ 2.4GHz DSM® radio control that allows you to fly without the worry of interference.  Other upgrades on the CX2 include: the 4-in-1 control unit with improved gyro and tail control (allowing for better tail response and minimal drift), two feather-light S60 Super Sub-Micro Servos (for a boost of power), a sleeker and more aggressive body design, and precise cyclic control.
Having minimal experience with RC Helicopters, I found the CX2 to be a bit challenging for about 20 minutes, but after reading the directions and following the instructional video CD, I zipping around in no time.

Key Features

• BONUS: Now includes aluminum head/hub, over-current protection PTC resettable fuse devices, 3-in-1 control unit and Spektrum AR6100e receiver
• Flight ready—no assembly required
• Test flown at the factory to ensure proper setup out of the box
• Interference-free 5-channel E-flite® transmitter with built-in Spektrum™ 2.4GHz DSM® technology
• Coaxial, counter-rotating rotor blades that make hovering easy
• Two feather-light S60 Super Sub-Micro Servos—just 6.0 grams each
• 2-cell 7.4V 800mAh LiPo battery pack with Charge Protection Circuitry
• 2–3 cell DC LiPo balancing charger and AC adapter
• Most parts compatible with the Blade CX

[Get It $6]

  
Benders are durable plastic coated wire characters with magnetic feet and hands.  You can bend your bender into any pose that suits your mood or imagination.  What a fun way to ostentatiously exhibit your hobbies!

Benders from Hog Wild make a great gift for anyone passionate about a particular pastime.  Find almost any sport or hobby including: Kayaking, Surfing Snowboarding, Racing, Cycling, Painting, Fishing, Golf, Soccer, Music, and many more.  There’s even bender Action Hero’s, Animals, Bugs, Monsters, and Pets.

The Rock Climbing Bender shown to the right can be purchased for $16.95.  The package includes one Bender, a rope, and two 12.5″ tin rock climbing walls that quickly connect before snapping into the base.

[Get It $40]

Molded after the earths fastest insect, the Flytech™ Dragonfly by WowWee is the worlds first radio-controlled flying insect based on ornithopter flight. Wait, don’t insects have 3 pairs of legs?  Oh, well.  A real dragonfly can’t walk so why should this one. 

With its unique flying action, dual-wing design, powerful tail-rotor, and 2 channel digital proportional remote control, this dragonfly flutters, soars, dive-bombs and glides while flapping its wings like a real insect.  It took me about 20 tries to adequately handle the toggle controls that an 8 year old could probably master in about 15 seconds.  Once I got the hang of the remote, it was quite a bit of fun seeing this unique creature flapping around the house. 

I advise starting out in beginner mode with the tail ribbon until you get used to the controls.  After some practice maybe move it up to the faster more tightly maneuverable function of expert.  It’s also best to stay indoors as the wind can be a big factor with this extremely lightweight aeronautical marvel; that and Hawks have a habit of snatching these guys up.

Launch FlyTech Dragonfly from your hand like a paper airplane. The dragonfly can also takeoff from any smooth flat surface.  Control the speed, direction and height of the dragonfly by pushing the power and direction toggle sticks on the remote. To adjust the line of flight, simply use the trim dial on the controller which directly determines the rotor speed and direction. The FlyTech Dragonfly is equipped with LED eyes that will alert you to his power status. The smart remote which falls into sleep mode if left idle for more than one minute also comes with a magnetic perch for resting the dragonfly while you hook him up for a charge.  Charging time typically runs about 20 minutes; providing up to half that duration of continuous flying time.

FlyTech Dragonfly has a wing span of approximately 16 inches and reaches speeds of up to 18 mph. Controlled by remote with a recommended range of up to 50 feet. The monster insect comes with a pair of spare wings, spare propeller, detachable antenna, remote controller, and tail ribbon; requires six AA batteries (not included).

recommended for ages 8 and up

[Get It $25]

Got kids that like the creepy crawly’s?  The RC Snake and RC Tarantula by Uncle Milton are two more toys to add to the collection.  The RC Snake and Tarantula have small battery powered wheels that propel the toys forward across hard smooth surfaces via a short range radio controller.  The eyes light up red when the units are turned on.  Appropriate for bug collecting children ages 6-12.

The RC Tarantula requires 2 “AAA” batteries in order to wiggle it’s realistic furry legs and move forward.  The spider egg shaped remote control features a rotation and forward button and requires 2 “AA” batteries.  

The RC Snake requires 2 “AAA” batteries for it’s 20″ long snake-like movements while the egg shaped remote requires 2 “AA” batteries.