Category Archives: Gift Guides

2026, Creators, Gift Guides, Technology

Why This Minimalist Magnetic Toy Is Taking Over Creative Play

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There is a quiet shift happening in the world of toys. Away from noisy plastics and fixed instructions, and towards objects that invite imagination, patience and pride of place. The TRIDO Laguna range sits firmly in that space, and it is easy to see why it is gaining so much attention.

Created by TRIDO, Laguna is a premium magnetic construction set designed not around winning or finishing, but around thinking, building and displaying. It is less about knock-it-down play and more about creating something worth keeping on the shelf.

Why This Minimalist Magnetic Toy Is Taking Over Creative Play
Why This Minimalist Magnetic Toy Is Taking Over Creative Play

Built for Expression, Not Instructions

At the heart of every Laguna set are TRIDO’s distinctive geometric forms. Octahedrons, tetrahedrons and half-tetrahedrons, each engineered to connect on every side. Strong internal magnets mean pieces snap together effortlessly, giving complete freedom to explore form, balance and symmetry without frustration.

There are no instructions to follow and no final model to replicate. Instead, children are encouraged to experiment, rebuild and refine. It turns play into a creative process rather than a task, which is a refreshing change from many construction toys that funnel children towards a single outcome.

Why This Minimalist Magnetic Toy Is Taking Over Creative Play
Why This Minimalist Magnetic Toy Is Taking Over Creative Play

A Toy That Feels at Home in Grown-Up Spaces

One of the standout aspects of the Laguna range is its visual design. The calm, modern colourway feels deliberate and considered, making it something that happily lives in a family space rather than being hidden away in a toy box.

This is a magnetic construction toy that invites display. Finished builds feel sculptural, and with the included magnetic eyes, creations can become expressive characters as well as abstract forms. It blurs the line between toy, art object and learning tool in a way that feels genuinely thoughtful.

Why This Minimalist Magnetic Toy Is Taking Over Creative Play
Why This Minimalist Magnetic Toy Is Taking Over Creative Play

Open-Ended Play With Real Benefits

Laguna is designed for children aged three and up, and the benefits go well beyond entertainment. Open-ended play supports imagination, confidence and problem-solving, while naturally introducing early STEM concepts such as geometry and spatial awareness.

Fine motor skills are developed through precise placement and balance, and the lack of rules makes it equally suitable for independent play or collaborative family sessions. It is also completely screen free, which feels increasingly important in modern homes.

All pieces are made from durable, non-toxic ABS plastic with smooth, rounded edges, designed to last through years of use without losing their appeal.

Three Sizes to Grow With Your Creativity

The Laguna range is available in three sizes, making it easy to choose a set that fits both budget and ambition.

Laguna Small
A compact introduction to TRIDO, ideal for younger children, travel or gift giving.
12 pieces. £44.90

Laguna Medium
More pieces allow for more complex designs, characters and storytelling.
24 pieces. £79.90

Laguna Large
The most expansive set, perfect for collaborative play, classrooms or long creative sessions.
34 pieces. £129.00

Each size builds on the same core idea, meaning sets can be combined as creativity grows.

More Than a Magnetic Construction Set

TRIDO Laguna shows that magnetic construction toys do not have to be about speed or destruction. By focusing on art, imagination and thoughtful design, it creates something that grows with the child and continues to feel relevant well beyond the early years.

Laguna Small, Medium and Large are available now from trido.uk. For families looking for a toy that encourages creativity without noise or screens, this minimalist magnetic set makes a very strong case for itself.

Buyers Guide, Gift Guides, Technology

Top Gift Ideas For Tech Lovers During Any Occasion

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Gift-giving can often be a pain for many people. Trying to figure out what the recipient wants and will like can be difficult.

In many cases, you could be tempted to ask them what they want. That’ll ruin the surprise, however.

Knowing what they’re passionate about and focusing on that is better recommended. If you’re loved one is a tech lover, then finding a gift for them can be relatively easy.

You’ll have a wealth of options to choose from. Some can be better recommended than others, although you’ll be sure to find something they like.

Gift Ideas For Tech Lovers That They Should Love

Bluetooth Speakers

Who wouldn’t want a high-quality entertainment system in their home? While the television will naturally be the centre of this, there could be multiple other devices associated with this.

Speakers will be some of the more notable. If the gift recipient has a basic entertainment centre, then it could be worth helping them upgrade this.

Bluetooth speakers can be recommended, especially if the recipient already has multiple smart devices. With this, you’ll take their entertainment centre to the next level.

A Smartwatch

Smartwatches have been popular since they were first released. In the years since then, more and more options have been released.

That’s led to them becoming more high-quality while the cost has also come down significantly. That doesn’t mean that there aren’t relatively expensive options, however.

The features and benefits that many of these can offer could be more than worth it. If you’re on a tight budget, though, then you could consider a second hand Apple watch.

These options are normally of a much higher quality than you’d expect. Many sellers also offer a warranty, so you should be able to rest easy knowing that it’ll work for quite a while.

Wireless Gaming Earbuds

Gaming has often been noted for the technology used in it. That isn’t solely related to developing video games, however.

Multiple peripheral accessories have been designed and perfected in the past few years. Gaming earbuds have been one of the more notable.

Many of these are now wireless, making them much easier to use. There’s also an abundance of brands to choose from.

Razer and Apple are some of the more notable options to consider. If you’re taking this approach, however, make sure to keep the recipient’s console in mind.

Some wireless gaming earbuds mightn’t be compatible with specific consoles. Thankfully, many options will say on the box which consoles they’ll work with.

Gift Ideas For Tech Lovers: Wrapping Up

Quite a lot of thought can go into a gift, especially if the recipient is celebrating a significant occasion. That could lead to many people overthinking it.

You shouldn’t have to put too much stress on yourself. Finding something that the gift recipient will enjoy can be easier than you’d think.

For tech lovers, there’s a wealth of options on offer. While each of the above can be more than recommended, you’ll have multiple other options to choose from.

They can also be more affordable than you’d think.

Gift Guides, Gifts for Men

Top tips for buying gifts for men this holiday season

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When buying a gift for a loved one we want to hit the nail on the head. We’ve all had that sinking feeling of unwrapping a gift that really isn’t us. “It’s lovely!” we exclaim, before hiding the offending item at the back of the wardrobe and pretending it shrunk in the wash when asked.

It can be tricky to buy gifts as an adult, as most people will buy things they want or need for themselves. It can be particularly difficult to buy for those of the opposite sex, especially someone who you haven’t known for years, like a new partner or newly acquired friend.

Here are some tips for buying gifts for the men in your life.

Understand them first

The first step to choosing a fool-proof gift for anyone is to consider their needs and interests. Try writing a brainstorm or a list of points about him. Include his job, any hobbies, his biggest passion and what brings him joy.

If he enjoys sport, see if you can get tickets to a game that he’d be interested in. Maybe he has a problem you could help solve? For example, if he gets stiff and achy from sitting at a desk all day a massage gun could be an ideal present.

Don’t overthink it

It’s important to remember that men are simple creatures. Their brains do not work in the same way as women’s, they will not analyse your gifts or go looking for a hidden meaning.

One mistake we often make when buying a present for a man is looking at the gift from our own perspective. We think of over-the-top hand knitted items and homemade collages honouring our time together. Your brother is not going to get excited about a scarf you crochet for him, and equally your boyfriend won’t value a glittery collage. Keep it simple and don’t stress about the finer details. He is unlikely to be bothered, or even notice.

Observe what they like to buy for themselves

Take note of the things he gets for himself. If he buys a lot of video games, a gaming related gift will likely go down well. When a man makes a financial investment in his hobbies, it’s safe to say a gift related to them will be appreciated. If he has a huge trainer collection, a new pair of kicks could be perfect.

Notice how they spend their time

Not all men are big spenders. If your man is a little more reluctant to part with his cash, look at how he spends his time. Whether he’s creative, sports-mad or likes getting his hands dirty, what he gets up to outside of work will be a huge clue as to what kind of gift he might like.

App of the Week, Apps, BBC Radio Suffolk, Bluetooth, Coding, Education, Gadget Man, Gift Guides, Matt Porter, Review, Sphero, Star Wars, Technology

Gadget Man – Episode 107 – Sphero Mini – Educational Robot

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This morning I joined Wayne Bavin at BBC Radio Suffolk to both discuss and demonstrate modular coding with the help of the Sphero Mini Robot.

It was a great opportunity to show how coding can be fun with the aid of a trio of programmable robots.

You can click on the link above to listen to the stream, thanks to Wayne for making me so welcome.

If you would like to purchase any of these products, the links are below.

[amazon_link asins=’B072KYC19V,B0107H5FJ6,B00N2XS4AK’ template=’ProductCarousel’ store=’uk=1′ marketplace=’UK’ link_id=’2745eaa9-2258-11e8-a538-c5548d952a14′]

 

Gift Guides, Guest Posts, Valentines Day

Best gadgets for Valentine’s Day gift 2018

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It is already February and you know that Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! If you aren’t a romantic person and you don’t feel like wasting money on chocolate hearts and flowers I have few ideas you can use. Here are most interesting presents you can give for Valentine’s Day which are useful, cool and very interesting.

Prynt Pocket photo printer for iPhone

I assume that your better half loves to take pictures and her iPhone memory is always full so this little printer can help her pick the best ones for her wallet or even phone case. The printer is small, light and the best part about it is the fact that each picture is actually a sticker so she can literally make a phone case out of the dearest photos. I am pretty certain you can score with this smart gadget this Valentine.

Leather tassel charging cable

This leather tassel may not be as attractive as the photo printer but it is one of the most useful and best-looking things she will own. It is a keychain and it looks like those modern keychains everybody is buying, but it is also a charging cable. Basically, it means that she can connect her phone to the laptop whenever she wants and wherever she wants. The best part – she will look amazing doing it 😀

Foosball iPad stand

Now, this is more like a present for the male population than for female, but who says that men can’t get Valentine’s Day present? Foosball iPad stand is a combination of virtual foosball and real foosball (but pocket version). It is a gadget that looks like a foosball table but without the field. Yes, the gadget has 4 legs, 3 scoring systems, and 8 rods, 4 on each side and the field is actually your iPad. If your loved one doesn’t have room for foosball table but he really-really wants one; I would recommend this foosball gadget!

R2-D2 App-Enabled Sphero Droid

This is the droid for everybody! If you say that you don’t want to have your own R2D2, you are lying. It is like you are saying you don’t want a cake for your birthday! This droid may be a toy, but it has so many details that really looks like R2 and I am sure that there are more grown-ups with this gadget than kids. For every Star Wars fan is a dream to have this little beepy droid and you can make this dream come true. Yes, I said beeply, because the gadget produces sounds just like the real R2D2.

Gadgets like the ones on the list are interesting and useful so they are the perfect present for any occasion, not just Valentine’s Day. When you wrap them in hearts and chocolate you will surprise and impress your loved one because you will show that you made an effort and this year, thought outside of the box! Happy Valentine’s!

Author bio:

Mark is a foosball blogger who has a blog about the most addictive game table in the world. His blog, the FoosballZone is the best place for all foosers and people who want to be that. If you want to learn more about foosball tables, or history of foosball, visit his blog because it has everything you need to know. If you want to check out his work, visit his site and detailed post about Tornado table features.