When I was growing up the most exciting toys I came across were conkers and marbles. However great these may have been they seem to have been shunted right out of the way with the wealth of gadget toys that are available these days. The range and variety of gadgets on offer is incredible. What's even more incredible is the level of sophistication that goes into some of these toys.

The level of technology in some of the toys available on the market is phenomenal. Many of these mainstream toys are cheap enough for everyone to own one and they seem to offer greater levels of technology than that which got man to the moon in 1969. Here are a few of the genius ideas I have come across that in my opinion rival the Apollo 11 for ingenuity.

Flying alarm Clock

The flying alarm clock is an ingenious way of making you leap out of bed. When the alarm sounds the alarm clock rises from the platform upon which it is placed and flies around the room. Complete with a helicopter style rotor blade you have to get up and catch it to switch it off. What a brilliant idea! I could well have done with one of these when I was younger and even now. The most amazing thing is that they only sell for around 20 pounds. What a bargain - perfect for a birthday gift.

USB Rocket launcher

USB technology is very recent. You can now buy a number of items that can be run by sticking them into your USB port. One of the most enjoyable of these gadgets is a USB rocket launcher. Equipped with a number of foam darts that can be shot at office work colleagues it is great fun. The rocket launcher sits on your desk and shoots darts out when instructed to do so by the computer. The best thing about this is that it is possible to hijack someone else's. So if your friend is on the same network as you then you can tap in to their system and aim their darts at them - genius! I used to have to make do with paper darts - not anymore.

Electric paper plane launcher

Speaking of paper planes it is now possible to purchase a paper plane launcher. The products makers claim that the machine can launch planes at speeds of up to 30 miles per hour. Wow - I think. I have to admit that this one is a bit of a puzzler to me and I have to admit I have not forked out the money to buy one. It sounds like the mother of all paper cut inducing machines. But fun nevertheless. I bet you could really achieve some distance for your plane with one of these. In my day we had to make use of our own throwing skill.

Motorised strap on skates

Yes that's right motorised skates do actually exist! You can buy a pair of them, and you'll definitely want two (unless you only have one leg), for around 100 pounds. There has surely never been a product that is more likely to kill as many people as these will.

Nevertheless it is a great concept - despite being bloody scary. Called the iShoes critics have called them the fastest trip to casualty you will ever make. I for one will definitely be trying these out though. They work with batteries that apparently last for up to 7 miles in one charge. The wheels on these skates are much bigger than those that are fixed to traditional skates. In my day we had to settle for riding around in a shopping trolley with a wonky wheel.