We’re not trying to alarm anybody, but as of today there’s just one week left until the big day. Eeeep!
There are always those people who are so dedicated to the spirit of the season that they get all their holiday shopping done by mid-July. But, if you’re anything like the rest of us then you’re probably only getting round to tying up the loose ends now.
Unfortunately, while you might be able to buy your husband or your dad a sponge kit and call it a day, the younger car fans can often be a lot more difficult to buy for. Short of a pair of socks with some tyre prints on, what else can you get them?
If you’re stuck for ideas this year and Santa’s list isn’t quite as forthcoming as it should be, here’s our rundown of some of the best presents you can get for your car-mad kids, no matter what age they are:
LEGO
Kids of all ages will be jumping for joy when they tear the wrapping off a box of LEGO this year, and luckily there’s plenty of choice when it comes to something for everyone.
More serious enthusiasts or older children will appreciate one of LEGO’s more complex kits, like the Ferrari F40 or the Mini Cooper. They’re a touch on the expensive side, but incredibly detailed and, with plenty of bricks to muck about with, will make sure they’re not just a one-and-done build.
Both replicas feature opening doors and bonnets, while the F40 even comes with a removable V8 engine and working pop-up headlights.
If you’re looking for something a bit cheaper but no less exciting, LEGO also makes smaller car kits in the form of the Speed Champions range, which includes kits for the Porsche 918, McLaren P1 and LaFerrari.
Finally, for the smallest petrolheads, DUPLO offers a range of toddler-friendly car kits, including the Creative Cars set which features three vehicles all with large, easy to build bricks.
Chevrolet Racing gaming chair
For anyone who’s a little too big for toys, and who has instead graduated on to video games, there are still plenty of neat car-related present options. Chevrolet, responsible for the incredible Corvette and Camaro, also offers a wide range of officially-licenced gifts and apparel.
Among those is the Chevrolet Racing gaming chair, sure to satisfy any avid gamer who’s also a car fan. Incorporating an easy-fold design, the chair comes with built-in speakers that are able to connect to any media player, home entertainment or game console system, plus a side control panel.
As well as that, buyers can also specify optional personalised text up to 13 characters long, which can be added below the Chevrolet bowtie logo for a small additional price. Neat!
Fisher Price Power Wheels
Small car fans will be the envy of all their schoolmates with one of these, an officially licenced miniature ride-on Power Wheels car from Fisher Price.
Realistically detailed both on the inside and out, these dinky little battery-powered vehicles can seat two kids and boasts a full range of features like cupholders, integrated MP3 players and a remote control for parents.
Best of all, Power Wheels offers a massive range of different model types, from the Range Rover Evoque to the Mercedes G63 AMG, all the way up to the Porsche Boxter, Ford Mustang and the Lamborghini Aventador.
Honestly, we’d be lying if we said we didn’t almost wish we were kids against just so we could get to have a go on one of these, particularly with a top speed that clocks in at an impressive 5mph!
Haynes model V8 engine
If your child is showing a real interest in engineering or technology and is a little too old for a LEGO kit, then the next step might be a working model engine.
Haynes offers fully-functional model kits of various different engines, which come with illuminating spark plugs and offer a real insight into exactly how engines are put together and how they work.
You can choose between a four-cylinder and a V8, but we’d prefer the V8 which is bigger, looks cooler and comes with more parts than the four-cylinder, so you can keep your budding engineers occupied for longer.
Remote control Nissan GT-R
Ever buy a present for somebody only to find that they look at it once before chucking it in a pile and never bothering to touch it ever again?
If that’s the case, what you’ll need is something with a little more ‘go’ than ‘show’. There’s a huge range of various remote-control cars that can be bought, with everything from wacky off-road monster trucks to tiny desktop racers.
On the chance that you’re after something a little more official, then Rastar makes an officially-authorised remote control version of the Nissan GT-R.
Injection-moulded in 1:14 scale, it features a detailed exterior with brake discs and working lights, alongside with a nifty spring suspension setup to keep it as glued to the living room floor as the real deal is to the road.
