An extensible toy object, comprising: a base; a first extension member that is movable relative to the base between a retracted position for the first extension member and an extended position for the first extension member; a second extension member that is movable relative to the first extension member between a retracted position for the second extension member and an extended position for the second extension member; characterized in that the extensible toy object further includes an extension mechanism that is operable to drive the first extension member towards the extended position for the first extension member and to drive the second extension member towards the extended position for the second extension member, wherein the extension mechanism includes at least one drum; an extension mechanism power source; a first extension drive cable connected between the at least one drum and the first extension member and passing over a pulley on the base, and a second extension drive cable connected between a second extension drive cable anchor point and the second extension member and passing over a second extension drive cable pulley on the first extension member; and wherein the extension mechanism power source is operatively connected to the at least one drum to rotate the at least one drum in a first rotation direction so as to wind the first extension drive cable onto the at least one drum, thereby driving the first extension member toward the extended position for the first extension member, which in turn drives movement of the second extension drive cable pulley, which in turn drives the second extension drive cable to drive movement of the second extension member relative to the first extension member. a base; a first extension member that is movable relative to the base between a retracted position for the first extension member and an extended position for the first extension member; a second extension member that is movable relative to the first extension member between a retracted position for the second extension member and an extended position for the second extension member; characterized in that the extensible toy object further includes an extension mechanism that is operable to drive the first extension member towards the extended position for the first extension member and to drive the second extension member towards the extended position for the second extension member, wherein the extension mechanism includes at least one drum; an extension mechanism power source; a first extension drive cable connected between the at least one drum and the first extension member and passing over a pulley on the base, and a second extension drive cable connected between a second extension drive cable anchor point and the second extension member and passing over a second extension drive cable pulley on the first extension member; and wherein the extension mechanism power source is operatively connected to the at least one drum to rotate the at least one drum in a first rotation direction so as to wind the first extension drive cable onto the at least one drum, thereby driving the first extension member toward the extended position for the first extension member, which in turn drives movement of the second extension drive cable pulley, which in turn drives the second extension drive cable to drive movement of the second extension member relative to the first extension member.