Most parents worry about exposing their kids to too much screen time, but it can be tough to find alternatives that children find entertaining and that might be beneficial. Enter Qubitunes, a screen-free play stage and speaker for kids. Content comes in wooden cartridges that you slot in the top, and kids can place wooden character pieces on the circular soundstage, divided into four sections, to change the audio it plays.

This seemingly simple design allows for interactive stories that change based on the characters and spots your kids choose, music that can be layered up with different instruments, and themed games and quizzes. I’m a huge fan of Qubitunes, and it has a deserving place in my guides to the best STEM toys and speakers for kids. As Black Friday and gifting season approaches, the Qubitunes starter kit is one toy to keep an eye on for discounts.

I played with Qubitunes for hours when it arrived and really enjoyed it. The stereo speakers are decent, there's a headphone port, and it can be recharged via USB-C for up to six hours of play. It has since gone into my wife’s classroom, and it’s usually the first thing picked when kids have finished their work and it’s choosing time. It’s very popular with 7- and 8-year-olds, but kids aged 3 years and up (all the way up to adults) will potentially get a kick out of this.

There is a caveat: the need to purchase content separately.

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