DIY RC car kits are some of the must-haves when we talk about toy collections both for kids and adults. For many of us car fanatics, its the next natural step after leaving mum nursing hands provided during those years riding the ride on cars with parental control.
There was a time when RC cars used to roam in every nook and corner of the house. Remote Control cars are a bit of an expensive gift, and kids love playing with them.
Since technology has been continuously changing, it now allows you to build your RC car at home. Yes, DIY RC car kits allow you to customize your ride at home. Furthermore, it will enable kids to boost their STEM skills while they master some necessary skills in engineering at home.
We have researched and prepared the list of the best DIY RC Car kits that you may find worth checking out.
Related: Best Remote Controlled Planes for Kids: The Joy of Flying
How to Pick the Best DIY RC Car Kits
To choose the top RC Car kit, you have to consider several factors in mind. So, we will discuss them one by one in this guide.
1. Age
First, and probably one of the most essential factors to consider, is the age of the recipient you intend to give it to. RC cars are meant for both kids and adults.
For kids, DIY RC car kits should be simple and easy to understand. You don’t want to buy equipment that is too complicated for your little one to follow.
2. Type of RC Car
There are two kinds of RC cars, namely, the traditional and the block. The block versions are pretty easy to assemble with the help of, well, blocks. You do not need any extra stuff to build them. Block RC cars are specifically meant for the kids.
On the other hand, traditional RC cars need more complex tools and criteria to set up. These cars are meant for both kids and adults, but with proper guidance for the former. This type of car is more critical to set up but certainly, promises a fulfilling experience for both you and your child.
3. Level of Difficulty
The difficulty level is an important thing to look out for in DIY RC car kits. For an excellent RC car building experience, it is essential to pick the kit with the corresponding skill level. The lower the level of difficulty, the more enjoyable is the learning experience.
4. Power
RC cars need batteries to power things up. Many DIY RC car kits in the market include the batteries within the package. Both the car and the remote need separate batteries. Most of the remote control cars now support USB charging as well.
5. Size & Style
Similar to other remote control cars for kids, the DIY RC car kits come in a variety of sizes. You have to double-check to make sure you have plenty of room inside the house if you end up making a bigger one. Block RC kits end up in a decent size, ideally meant for kids.
Apart from that, RC cars have adopted different styles like sports cars, trucks, military cars, etc. RC block kits allow your kids to customize the car the way they want it.
Does your child love toy vehicles? Check out our review of the Best Imaginarium Train Table Sets for Toddlers
Best DIY RC Car Kits
So let’s dig in and review some of the best build your own RC cars.
1. RC Tracked Racer 3 in 1 DIY RC Car Kit
Specifications:
Age Recommendation: 9 to 16 Years
Level of Difficulty: Beginner
Car Style: Race and Military
Dimensions/Size: 3 x 8 x 6 (Inches)
Main Components:
Remote Control, Receiver, Medium Motor and a Battery Box.
It’s time to smash those obstacles with fully motorised 2-in-2 LEGO Technic RC Tracked Racer. LEGO has left kids to end up in 2 options, the race car or a military tank. The Tracked racer can go front, back, left or right. On top of that, it can make 360 spins to avoid significant obstacles.
It packs two exciting experiences in a single kit. You can end up in creating sports cars, or a military tank. When in tank mode, it can conquer the toughest of the terrains, thanks to the huge tracks. It can achieve speed up to 1.5 mph.
Right out of the box, you get your hands on two power functions medium motors, receiver, remote control, battery box, and 370 pieces to build this beast. It is best suited for beginner or intermediate users age 9 to 16 years. Just like other LEGO toys, this technic RC kit is compatible with different construction sets.
It helps in boosting critical thinking, eye-to-hand coordination, and creative thinking in kids. A great RC Kit to teach your kids the basics of mechanical engineering.
2. LEGO Technic App-Controlled Top Gear Rally Car
Specifications:
Best For Ages: 6 Years +
Battery: 300 mAh USB charged
Difficulty: Newbies
Dimensions: 16.5 x 3.5 x 11 (Inches)
Main Components:
Motor, Remote Control and 426 Pieces to build
Tuck and Roadster is a 2-in-1 combo Block style DIY RC Car kit for someone who is on a tight budget. It is super easy to build and take apart in no time. Bo-toys has to include step by step instructions for constructing two different trucks right out of the box. The roadster and the truck are easy to setup.
It comes with remote control, motor, and USB rechargeable battery. The 300mAh battery takes 2 hours to charge and lasts for 20 minutes. The remote control can control the car up to 30 feet, which makes it easy to use anywhere inside the home. This RC kit helps in boosting the spatial awareness, logical thinking, and imagination of your kid.
3. GAMZOO STEM Building Toys for Kids with 2-in-1 Remote Control
Specifications:
Age Recommendation: 8 Years and up
Kit Type: Hybrid
Style of Kit: Race/Sports
Difficulty: Novice
Battery: Work with 3AA
Dimensions: 2 x 7.9 x 5.9 (Inches)
Main Components:
174 Pieces, Sticker Sheet, Real Tools, Motor and instruction to set up
It’s time to build your roadster and move rule the roads outside with a 5-in-1 Meccano RC kit. It is the most demanding RC car kit out there in the market that is truly unbeatable when it comes to performance.
One of the cool things about this car is the real looking metal parts. It comes with hard nuts and bolts to give an authentic feel to the finished product. You can craft five different vehicles out of this DIY RC car kit.
Meccano RC Kit is versatile, and it provides you various car building possibilities each time you assemble and disassemble it. The set comes with 174 pieces that can be assembled easily with the help of the instruction guide.
Well, that’s not all. Once young engineers build their car, they can use cool stickers to customize the look of it.
4. morwant STEM DIY RC Car Kit
Specifications:
Age: 8 years and up
Style: Military
Difficulty: Intermediate
Power: USB charged and also supports 3 AAA
Dimensions: 9.5 x 5 x 4.7 (Inches)
Main Components:
2.4 Ghz Remote Control, Motor, 506 Pieces, and USB Rechargeable Battery
We loved the bright green colour scheme from Bo-toys on this military DIY RC car kit. It is best suited for kids who love the military. It’s time to take your imagination more further and build your battle scenes. The kit comes with 506 pieces that pack the educational value and fun at the same platform.
The most exciting feature lies in its 2.4 GHz remote control that has a range up to 100 feet, making it perfect for indoor and outdoor use.
Take part in the legendary battle by rotating the turret at 360 degrees to kill your imaginative enemies. The Bo-Toys UAC RC kit triggers imaginative play and critical thinking in kids. Though the difficulty level of this kit is set to intermediate, it still is an excellent choice for beginners.
5. Perseids DIY Build Your Own RC Car Kit
Specifications:
Age: 6 Years and up
Battery: 400 mAh Rechargeable/ 2 AA
Dimensions: 11.4 x 10.2 x 2.9 (Inches)
Kit Style: Sports/Race
Difficulty: Newbies
Main Components:
Rechargeable Battery, Motor, 421 Pieces, Remote control
Perseids RC Car kit is specifically meant for sports car lover out there. It makes a perfect gift for someone aged 6 to 15 years. This DIY RC car kit allows the kids to invest their imagination and creativity to see endless possibilities.
With a sturdy design, it is straightforward to assemble all the 421 pieces without any external tools. You get the freedom to adjust doors, tails, hoods, etc. The 2.4 GHz remote control allows you to control the car up to 25 feet.
It comes with a powerful motor that can be powered by 430 mAh rechargeable battery or external 2 AA batteries. It has a run time of 30 minutes and takes 4 hours to charge.
As we have said earlier, you have endless possibilities to carry out. Take the rims out, adjust the doors like the way you want it. In addition to this, it has an elastic suspension design to run smoothly on bumpy roads.
All the building blocks help kids in improving their coordination and imagination.
Frequently Asked Questions About DIY RC Car Kits
1. Can I increase the range of my RC car?
The range of the RC car is determined by the receiver. If you replace the receiver and transmitter with the new and powerful ones, you can extend the range.
2. What accessories might I need to buy to complete my RC car?
Most of the RC kits in the market include all the necessary tools or accessories you need to build your own rc car. However, the traditional kits do require additional batteries or a charger. In few cases, you need to purchase even the motor, speed controllers and related items.
3. How do I change the frequency of my RC car?
It is often seen that if you are running two cars with the same frequency, then one of them does not respond appropriately. If you have traditional RC cars, you can change the frequency to avoid this problem. All you need is to replace the crystals inside the transmitter and receiver with the new ones that have a different value.
4. How can I make RC Car run faster?
The speed of your RC car depends upon the type of terrain. You should use the tires relevant to the terrain. Use the tires that are meant for the type of terrain on which you will run the car. Apart from that, you can use lighter parts to build your RC car if you want more speed.
5. How much does it cost to build an RC car?
If you are building block RC cars, then it will just cost you the price you will pay for the kit and parts that come along with it. However, the cost of traditional RC cars may vary due to different non-branded parts.
6. How do you make an RC car from scratch faster?
Block DIY RC car kits are pretty easy to assemble as they have an instruction guide along with them. Furthermore, the parts are designed to fit in easily. So it takes less time to set up your RC car from scratch.
You may like to Read: Best Beyblade Burst Toys Review
