Abstract: A launching apparatus for a resilient drive mobile toy having a driven wheel. The launching apparatus includes a receptacle for accommodating the mobile toy, the receptacle including an opening for passing the mobile toy and a floor plate having a slot formed therethrough for partly projecting the driven wheel outwards. Provided to the receptacle are a holding device for releasably holding the mobile toy so that the driven wheel engages the slot for stopping the rotation thereof by friction and another device for pushing the mobile toy toward the opening so that the driven wheel is disengaged from the slot when the holding is released.