8 • Gifts for Family, Friends & Loved Ones


Christmas Inspiration - brought to you by APL Media • Wednesday 26 November 2025 Smart gifts for digital kids From smart speakers to programmable pets, these top tech presents mix play with purpose. Words: Andy Hill DAEWOO SPEAKER GOCUBE GROOV-E KIDZ DIGITAL INSTANT CAMERA


1 GOCUBE The classic Rubik’s Cube gets a futuristic makeover with this app- connected version, which is as fun as it is brain-boosting. GoCube helps kids aged 8+ (and adults) master the cube through real-time feedback, interactive tutorials and a suite of mini-games. You can even battle friends or climb the global leaderboard. Light-up sensors track every twist, so its a tactile toy that helps build memory, logic and hand- eye coordination. £59.99. very.co.uk


2 GROOV-E KIDZ DIGITAL INSTANT PRINT CAMERA Budding snappers aged fi ve and over will adore this ink-free camera,


CONNETIX CREATIVE PACK


which prints black-and-white snaps in seconds thanks to clever thermal tech. Designed with kids in mind, it features a 12MP lens, HD video, a two-inch screen, games and fun fi lters galore. Kids can doodle on photos with sticker paper, add frames and eff ects, and save or export their creations via USB. £49.99. groov-e.co.uk


3 DAEWOO BOOMBEAT BLUETOOTH BOOMBOX SPEAKER Old-school looks meet modern audio muscle in this splashproof Bluetooth boombox. With 40W stereo speakers, fi ve hours of battery life and a built- in light show, it’s perfect for kitchen discos, sleepovers or singing along


STRIKESPHERE COUNTER BALL


in the garden. Kids can pair it with a phone or plug in a USB or memory card to blast their playlists. It even off ers TWS pairing for stereo sound if you grab a second one. £69.99. daewooelectricals.com


4 CONNETIX 102-PIECE RAINBOW CREATIVE PACK Magnetic tile toys don’t get more versatile, or visually gorgeous, than this well-made construction set. With vivid rainbow colours and a mix of shapes, kids aged over three can build everything from castles to rockets. The pieces connect satisfyingly and securely, encouraging hours of open-ended play while developing spatial


YOTO PLAYER


awareness, problem-solving and imagination. £95. connetixtiles.com


5 STRIKESPHERE COUNTER BALL The Strikesphere Counter Ball tracks kick-ups in real time, fl ashing and beeping with every successful touch (and resetting when you drop it). It counts all the way to 100, making it perfect for competitive siblings or solo practice. Designed for ages 6+, it’s a nifty way to burn off energy, improve ball control and stay off screens. £37.99. amazon.co.uk


6 YOTO PLAYER The Yoto Player puts kids in charge of their own audio adventures. Pop in a card to play stories, music or


PYXEL BEST FRIEND


activities from Disney favourites to Roald Dahl classics or stream via Bluetooth. The latest version boasts 24-hour battery life, a pixel display, night light and room thermometer. £89.99. yotoplay.com


7 PYXEL — A CODER’S BEST FRIEND Part puppy, part programming genius, Pyxel is an interactive coding robot that kids can teach to move, bark and express emotions. Controlled via tablet or laptop using Blockly or Python, it’s an easy introduction to coding. Trigger actions using a separate ‘code activator’ and experiment with logic, sequences and commands. £149.95. learningresources.co.uk


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