# Ten gifts for kids and adults who love to play

> TIME's editors pick the year's best toys and games, from AI sticker makers to retro Nintendo consoles.
- Title: Ten gifts for kids and adults who love to play · TIME
- Summary: TIME's editors pick the year's best toys and games, from AI sticker makers to retro Nintendo consoles.
- Keywords: toys, gifts, doona, hapiko stickerbox, rubik's tetris, thames & kosmos, tin can, skylight buddy, lego smart play, the board, analogue 3d, mars m&ms
- Source: TIME — https://time.com/article/2026/11/12/best-gifts-for-kids-and-kidults
- Author: TIME Staff
- Published: 2026-11-12T15:04:20+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: toys, gifts, doona, hapiko stickerbox, rubik's tetris, thames & kosmos, tin can, skylight buddy, lego smart play, the board, analogue 3d, mars m&ms
## TIME picks ten gifts for the holidays
TIME's editors have selected ten toys and games from their annual Best Inventions list as perfect gifts for parents, children, and fun-lovers this holiday season.
## Doona X transforms car seat to stroller
The Doona X is a deluxe car-seat-to-stroller system with three stroller positions, a near-flat one hundred fifty-nine degree recline, better shock absorption, and a no-rethread harness.
## Hapiko Stickerbox uses AI purposefully
The Hapiko Stickerbox is a small red handheld box that designs stickers based on verbal prompts, then prints them in black and white for coloring.It comes with two hundred sixty-five stickers and eight colored pencils.

> Who asked for this?
## Rubik's Tetris combines two classic puzzles
Spin Master's Rubik's Tetris combines the Rubik's Cube with the Tetris video game.Players arrange pieces into a three by three by three square while building Tetris shapes in green, purple, yellow, red, and dark blue.
## Thames & Kosmos SolarFlower teaches engineering
The Thames & Kosmos SolarFlower is a one hundred fourteen-piece, eleven-inch motorized flower with petals that spin in sunlight. It comes in four colors: Golden Sunrise, Ruby Ripple, Sapphire Swirl, and Purple Majestic.

> Our whole thing is about teaching kids and families about engineering.
## Tin Can offers smartphone alternative for kids
Tin Can is a Wi-Fi-enabled landline network for kids that provides independence without smartphones. The latest release includes a limited-edition Technicaller Clear phone, Twirly Cord Charms, and a Contact Keeper with tradable cards.
## Skylight Buddy turns chores into rewards
Skylight Buddy is a touchscreen bedside alarm clock for ages four to ten that tracks chores with playful nudges and star rewards.
## Lego Smart Play adds sensors to bricks
Lego Smart Play adds sensors powered by a chip smaller than a Lego stud to traditional bricks.
## The Board combines iPad and board games
The Board is a twenty-four-inch device that combines the visual engagement of a giant iPad with the tactility of board games.
## Analogue 3D resurrects Nintendo sixty-four
Analogue 3D is a modern Nintendo sixty-four that plays original N sixty-four games and cartridges using FPGA hardware instead of emulation.
## Mars releases naturally-dyed M&Ms
In August, Mars started selling M&Ms dyed with natural ingredients like beet juice and turmeric instead of artificial dyes Red No.forty or Yellow No.five.The naturally-dyed candies come in red, orange, yellow, and green.

> We've been working on it, honestly, for decades.
## Key takeaway

TIME's annual gift guide highlights ten innovative toys and games for children and adults, ranging from smart sticker makers to interactive building systems.