Adding no less than three new humans to my Uncle roster this year I created this gift list to feed their minds and save yours. From augmented reality games to fun travel subscriptions and unicorn humidifiers there truly is something for kids of all ages on this list with no big branded items in sight.
1) Beasts of Balance [Sensible Object] - Ages 7+
Visually stunning and fun to play, Beasts of Balance is part Jenga and park Pokémon GO. Multiple players get to play at once and take turns building balancing towers. Playing takes skill, strategy and creation but seeing the artefacts morph is fun. Take care... the world ends when the tower falls!
$99.95 / beastsofbalance.com
2) Clip 2 [JBL] - Ages Big Kids
Everyone needs a tough speaker to play music from or take on holiday - this puppy is waterproof and can take a beating. Perfect for any kids - big or small. The Clip 2 lasts for eight hours, comes in a range of colours and can also be used as a speakerphone when your hands are full.
$39.95 / jbl.com
3) Little Passports World Edition [Little Passports] - Ages 6-10
Little Passports is a subscription-based service which offers kids a fun penpal-esque service with Sam and Sofia. Together your kids will enjoy learning about the world with their very own blue suitcase which contains; their own passport, a map, welcome letter, stickers, activity sheets and a whole host of amazing other elements over the months like souvenirs and photos.
$12.95pm / littlepassports.com
4) AquaFizz [Sodastream] Ages Big Kids (and all kids)
Kids love fizzy drinks and big kids need tonic when kids go to bed. The AquaFizz is the perfect combo - plastic bottles and a ton of flavours (most with no-sugar/diet varieties) and glass bottles for you to use when dining or just ready for the fridge. The cylinders are easy to refresh thanks to online ordering or in-store instant replacements.
$179.99 / sodastreamusa.com
5) Inspiron 15 3000 [Dell] - Ages 6 and up
This laptop was made for tumbles. Lightweight, portable and can take a knock or twelve. Dell tested the laptop in survival-style conditions so you know it's up to the task of YouTube watching and excessive screen paw prints and spills. The lid alone was tested +25,000 times so you can feel safe leaving your little monsters with it.
$256 and up / Dell.com
6) Birdie [Olika] - Ages 3 and up
Birdie is a "godsend" according to several mums and dads I know thanks to the 2-in-1 cleaner and sanitizer combo is has going. Apart from the utility, the form attracts kids and they request Birdie which is half the battle won. Available in multiple colours.
$8.99 / olikalife.com
7) 21oz Foldable Cup [Hydaway] - Ages 2 and up
Fitting in any cup holder imaginable is the smallest benefit this BPA-free rubber cup offers parents. Folding away to the size of a thick jam jar lid, the Hydaway cup is watertight, dishwasher-safe and available in a range of colours. Perfect for everyday use or when travelling.
$20 / hydawaybottle.com
8) Speks [Retrospective Goods] - Ages 14+
Sculptable magnetic balls - sounds less thrilling than they actually are because of the shapes they allow you to make. 512 magnets in eleven colours await you along with a (much needed) splitter card and storage cube. Perfect for enquiring minds, the design inspired or the fidgety (or stressed parent).
$24.95 and up / getspeks.com
9) Elodie The Unicorn Humidifier [Firebox] - Ages 8 and up
Elodie the Unicorn Diffuser is as cute as it is powerful puffing out cool water vapour puffs to humidify the room you're in for eight hours. Add essential oils for an extra bit of ambience to soothe tired young minds asleep. Elodie can also cycle through the rainbow should it not be bed time too. Working via USB, Elodie has auto shut-off modes and only ever sucks up 200mls of water so no major worries about spillages. Elodie is exclusive to Firebox and was born on Kickstarter.
$53 / firebox.com
10) Dash Robot [Wonder Workshop] - Ages 6+
Ready for play out of the box, Dash responds to voice, navigates objects, dances and sings. Apart from being ridiculously cute, Dash also allows kids to start getting the basics of coding down while they play thanks to apps that enable them to create new behaviours for Dash. Worry not, there is no chance of HAL making an appearance.
$149.99 / makewonder.com
HONOURABLE MENTIONS: No-one wants a massive bill after you just splurged on the iPhone X if it gets dropped so get the best case - the Speck Presido Ultra ($49.95/speckproducts.com)...The Amazon Echo Show is a big tablet really but it can be handy to keep in touch with loved ones and keep handsfree and homework help. ($199 / amazon.com)...Give the gift of binge-watching or sanity this holiday season with a Netflix Gift Card ($various/netflix.com)...Paying $99.99 for a ball may not seem like a smart move but the 'Gameball' is not your average ball...this ball makes you work and keeps little people entertained for hours thanks to the activity challenges. You're welcome. ($99.99 / playimpossible.com)...Why not let music be the theme of 2018? Buy an Apple Music Family subscription and the whole family can enjoy every bit of music on the planet. ($14.99pm / apple.com)
