Abstract: A driving apparatus for an action toy comprising: a base member; a swing member (16) which is reciprocally swingable on a predetermined axis formed in the base member (10); an electromagnet (20) which is attached to one of the base member and the swing member; a control circuit (25) for controlling electric current supplied to the electromagnet; at least a magnetic material member (21, 22) which is attached to the other of the base member and the swing member to allow the swing member to swing reciprocally with respect to the base member by a magnetic force which acts between the electromagnet and the magnetic material member; and a ratchet mechanism (31, 32) for converting a swinging movement of the swing member to a rotational movement of a wheel, the ratchet mechanism comprising a ratchet pawl member (32) and ratchet teeth (31) engageable with the ratchet pawl member.