The good tech gift guide

At Christmas, we all want to give our kids something they’ll be delighted to unwrap — and the gadgets that beep, flash or plug in often top the list. But knowing which tech genuinely enriches children’s lives (and which quietly pulls them into an addictive online world) can be tricky. So we turned to the SFC community and asked families to share the tech they truly rate: exciting, child-friendly gifts that spark creativity, fuel curiosity, support independence and fit naturally into a healthier childhood — without the scrolling.

We don’t earn anything from the recommendations on this page – these are genuine, impartial tips, tried and tested by the SFC community.

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Yoto Player‍

The screen-free audio player kids can use on their own

A favourite among many in the SFC community, the Yoto Player is a simple, joyful way for children to dive into stories, songs and learning – all without a screen. Designed for ages 3–12, it gives kids something they can manage themselves, with no ads, no distractions and no adult-style tech to navigate. They just slot in a card and listen. It’s a small shift that invites imagination back in, whether at home, in the car or winding down for bed.

From £59.99

Mighty 3 Audio Player‍

A great music player for smartphone-free tweens

A tiny, screen-free music player that lets kids enjoy Spotify or Amazon Music without needing a smartphone. About the size of a matchbox, it clips onto clothing and plays synced playlists completely offline, keeping things simple and distraction-free. It holds over 1,000 songs and has easy buttons for play, skip and volume, making it ideal for active kids on the go – from clubs to car journeys.

From £99

Pogs Headphones – the elephant 2‍

Sustainable, volume-limited headphones designed for young ears

A pair of safe, sturdy, volume-limited headphones made with kids in mind. Pogs keep sound capped at 85dB and use recycled materials and repairable parts, making them a more sustainable option that lasts. Soft padding and an adjustable band keep them comfortable, while the foldable design makes them easy to pack for trips or school bags. Ideal for pairing with Yoto, Mighty or any child-friendly audio device.

From £30

Instax Mini 12‍

​​An instant way to capture and print real life moments with friends.

A simple, joyful way for kids to slow down and make memories they can actually hold. The Instax Mini 12 prints small photos instantly – point, click, and a real picture appears in under two minutes. It encourages kids to think about each shot, get creative and enjoy the fun of real-world keepsakes – perfect for scrapbooks, albums, frames or pinboards.

Around £70–90

Motorola T42 Walkie Talkies‍

Real walkie talkies that keep kids connected up to 4km

‍A fun, practical way for kids to stay connected while playing outdoors, without needing a phone. The Motorola T42 are proper two-way radios with clear audio and a range of up to 4km, so they actually work – not just toy versions. Lightweight and easy to use, they pair instantly to the same channel and come in sets of two or four. Great for parks, holidays and giving kids a little independence.

Around £25–30 for a twin pack

GiiKER Super Slide‍

Build problem-solving skills without screens

GiiKER’s Super Slide is a compact electronic puzzle game packed with over 500 sliding challenges. Kids move the pieces to match the patterns shown on the built-in LED display, with levels that start simple and become genuinely tricky. It’s fully offline, easy to throw in a bag, and ideal for travel, quiet time or after-school wind-downs. A satisfying way to build logic and spatial reasoning, one puzzle at a time.

Around £20–25

SingPlay Portable Karaoke Set

‍‍Give kids a joyful way to make music together

‍SingPlay turns any room into a mini karaoke party, giving kids a fun, screen-free way to perform. The set comes with dual wireless microphones and a portable speaker that connects via Bluetooth, so children can sing along to backing tracks from Spotify or YouTube without needing to scroll. Lightweight and easy to carry, it’s great for playdates or family evenings.

Around £20

LED Noteboard‍

A fun, glowing canvas for endless doodles

The LED noteboard is a light-up dry erase board that makes writing and drawing even more engaging. Kids use neon markers on the clear acrylic surface, and the built-in LEDs make their creations glow. It’s reusable, wipe-clean and has multiple colour modes, giving it plenty of novelty without any actual screen time.

Around £15–45

Cooper the STEM Robot‍

A hands-on way to learn real coding basics

Cooper is a clever little robot that teaches coding through simple, physical play. Kids program sequences using the buttons on its back, then watch Cooper move, turn, talk and dance as it follows their instructions. It’s fully screen-free, rechargeable via USB-C, and comes with coding cards and STEM challenges to keep things engaging. Multiple Coopers can even work together for team tasks, adding a fun collaborative twist.

Around £60

Amazon Kindle‍

Give the bookworms in your life even more to get lost in

‍The newest Kindle is the lightest and most compact yet, with a glare-free 6” display that reads like real paper, a brighter adjustable front light, fast page turns and dark mode for comfortable reading anywhere. It holds 16 GB of books and comics, lasts up to six weeks on a charge, and stays focused solely on reading. Built-in tools like the dictionary and Word Wise help kids understand new words as they go, building confidence and fluency.

From £69.99

Baby-G watch‍

A tough, beach-ready watch for active kids and teens

This Baby-G model is built for adventure, with 20-bar water resistance, shock protection and a lightweight resin case that can handle everyday knocks. It comes in bright, summery designs and includes world time, alarm, a countdown timer, stopwatch and a Super Illuminator backlight. Durable, practical and great for kids who love being outdoors, swimming or staying active.

Around £69

Majority Homerton 2‍

An easy, all-in-one way for kids to enjoy music without a phone

‍The Homerton 2 is a full music system in one box – internet radio with 25,000+ stations, Spotify Connect, Bluetooth, a CD player, USB playback and AUX input. With a clear colour display and remote control, kids can use it independently once it’s set up. It’s ideal for audiobooks, radio shows, playlists and those charity shop CD finds, giving young people a bedroom-friendly way to enjoy audio without needing their own device.

Around £139.99

Karri‍

Freedom to explore, with an easy way to check in

Karri is best thought of as a modern walkie-talkie rather than a phone — a simple way for kids to roam a bit further while still staying connected. A single button sends and receives voice messages through the parent-controlled app, and it works anywhere with mobile coverage. With GPS tracking for parent peace of mind, it’s a cool new companion for growing independence, without the need for screens.

From £39.99 plus membership from £4.99/month

Nightlight Galaxy Projector‍

A calming, high-definition night sky to help kids (and parents) unwind

This home planetarium projector transforms a bedroom into a soothing universe using real starry-sky imagery rather than artificial laser dots. High-definition lenses and advanced optical technology bring galaxies, nebulae and star fields to life with crisp, detailed clarity. With multiple discs to choose from, kids can fall asleep under different cosmic scenes that feel gentle and immersive. It’s whisper-quiet, easy on the eyes, and a simple, screen-free way to make bedtime calmer.

Around £75

Sniff & Snails Craft + Code Starter Kit‍

A hands-on way to learn coding through making, building and play

The Craft + Code Starter Kit teaches real programming skills through five creative projects, from a colour-changing bedroom lamp to DJ lights and simple games. Kids learn to code a tiny computer called the Crumble by snapping together colourful, block-based commands – no prior experience needed. Each project blends craft and electronics so children can build something physical, not just stare at a screen. Designed and made in the UK, and works with PC, Mac or Chromebook.

Around £45

Kodak Pixpro FZ45 Digital Camera‍

A simple, kid-friendly step into real photography

The Kodak Pixpro FZ45 is a compact, easy-to-use camera that gives kids a proper introduction to photography beyond a phone. With 16 megapixels, a 27mm wide-angle lens and 4× optical zoom, it captures crisp photos and Full HD video, and the 2.7-inch LCD screen makes framing shots straightforward. It runs on AA batteries, so there’s no charger to lose, and the lightweight design is ideal for trips, adventures and creative projects.

Around £94

Smiggle digital clock‍

An essential clock for kids who don’t have a phone in their room

This compact digital clock has a clear, easy-to-read display and a gentle colour-changing night light that makes bedrooms feel calm and cosy. With a straightforward alarm and simple controls, it gives kids a reliable way to check the time and wake up without needing a phone beside their bed.

From £12

Nokia 2660 Flip‍

The flip phone making a comeback with today’s tweens

More and more young people are choosing retro-style phones as a way to stay connected. It’s a popular pick for tweens because it looks cool, but keeps things intentionally limited: calls, texts, FM radio, music player, Snake and a basic rear camera. A minimal web browser is built in, but a data-free SIM blocks it completely.

Around £79.99

Photo Creator Mini Cam‍

A tiny, take-anywhere camera for kids who love capturing everything

This keychain-sized digital camera is small enough to clip to a bag, yet powerful enough to record videos and snap clear photos. Kids can add fun frames, colour filters and effects on the mini screen, and it comes with a 1GB memory card so they can start shooting straight away. It’s a simple, screen-lite way to capture everyday adventures.

Around £10