Green your Christmas: Scalextric

With the allure of racing electric cars around a miniature track remaining as strong as ever -- especially with a new Transformers edition -- there are thankfully green alternatives. Not least a solar-powered, hydrogen-fuelled toy car.

We've played with the £75 H-Racer a lot and the first few times it actually works are quite miraculous. The idea is simple: you use a teeny solar panel to create electricity that splits water (good ol' H20) using the magic of electrolysis, leaving just hydrogen in the car's bundled fuelling station.

Then you pump the hydrogen to the car, which -- equipped with its onboard fuel cell -- trundles forwards at a sedate pace. High speed thrills it ain't, and pull-back cars do the same with far simpler tech. The point, however, is edifying -- think of it as a 21st century chemistry kit, with kids (and big kids) learning about renewables and clean fuel. It's on sale at Ecotopia.

For a more straightforward blokey gadget alternative, check out Trevor Baylis' £135 Wind Up Eco Media Player, which has a torch, plays MP3s, charges phones and displays photos after you give it a good crank. Stephen Fry is a fan.