Lego is perhaps the perfect toy, allowing kids to use their imaginations to build whatever toys they want rather than being stuck with the same boring G.I. Joe action figure all the time. With the Lego Mindstorms robotics kit, much bigger kids (read: adults) can use their imaginations to make cool-looking machines and robots, but there hasn't been a whole lot that's really functional. This Lego vending machine is an exception to that rule. With the ability to accept different coins and display the total inserted on an LCD screen, dispense candy and chips, and automatically open and close the door when chips are removed, the homemade contraption has all of the bells and whistles you get on standard snack machines. Designed by a Danish Mindstorms enthusiast named Anders, the Lego vending machine is the perfect combination of childlike wonder and grown-up love of easily accessible snacks. Kudos, Anders. — Adam Frucci

Functional Lego vending machine, via TechEBlog