Hape Kids Wooden Railway Propeller Steam Engine

(Hape $24.99)

Although we like wooden train that run on kid power sans batteries, we know that some prefer the option. This season Hape has added two new battery operated engines to the line. Our 3-year old tester was totally taken with the Whimsical Propeller Engine( $ 24.99 ) in bright red with silver propeller and trim. A train with a propeller? Why not. You can push a switch on the bottom and use this one for free wheeling without batteries. The propeller does not turn when it run on kid power. However, loaded with 2 AAA batteries it not only spins the propeller it has train sounds that are activated with the buttons on top of the engine. This became a wonderful pretend toy that was flown through the air and run along the floor and used for hours of fun. We also like the Brave Little Engine ( $12.99 ) all done up in bright blue, yellow and red storybook colors. It's a more straightforward little engine that will pull cars with its 2 AAA batteries that will take cargo uphill and around bends. There is a small red button on top that children can push to stop and start the action. 3 & up.