Parents’ frustration with children spending too much time on screens has become an increasingly familiar part of family life.

Now, however, the balance may be shifting. Sales of screen-free toys are climbing ahead of Christmas, following a year of growing concern about the effect of technology on children.

Every toy in The Entertainer’s top 10 Christmas picks is screen-free, while Hamleys’ 15 festive favourites also contain no screen-linked products.

The Entertainer’s selection includes a Meccano Pro Aston Martin car construction set, an interactive tiger pet, an Early Learning Centre mini kitchen and a LEGO set.

Geoff Sheffield, the retailer’s buying director, said: ‘We’re seeing a real change in how parents think about playtime. Screens are now part of everyday family life, so many parents are looking for ways to create a healthier balance.

‘Toys that encourage children to switch off and immerse themselves in something different are an important part of that.’

The trend follows a year of intensified debate over the impact of modern technology on children.

Former prime minister Keir Starmer announced that a social media ban for under-16s would be introduced next year.

Mr Sheffield said: ‘What really stands out this year is that parents aren’t necessarily looking for the newest gadget or the toy with the most bells and whistles.

‘They want toys that keep children happily occupied while also offering something meaningful — whether that means encouraging creativity, building confidence or simply helping them enjoy independent play for a while.’

Alongside enduring favourites such as Meccano, Hot Wheels and LEGO, sensory products including squishies have also become more popular this year, he added.

‘Digital toys certainly have their place, and technology can provide some excellent learning experiences.

‘But it’s heartening to see that families still value traditional play. Sometimes the simplest toys leave the most room for imagination,’ Mr Sheffield said.

CHECK THIS OUT: Senior military leaders promise strong support for Israel despite demonstrations – NewsFinale

UK toy sales rose by 6 per cent to £3.9 billion in 2025, according to Circana data, marking the industry’s first annual increase since the pandemic.

Victoria Kay, Hamleys’ head buyer, said: ‘We’re seeing increasing demand for toys that support personalised play and give children space to use their imaginations.

‘Hands-on toys are proving particularly appealing because they allow children to create their own adventures and develop stories around characters they enjoy, rather than simply following instructions or watching a screen.’

Ms Kay described the trend as a ‘significant shift from four or five years ago’, noting that Hamleys’ top 15 festive toys list, due to be published on Wednesday, ‘doesn’t include a single toy linked to a screen’.

Daisy Greenwell, founder of Smartphone Free Childhood, said: ‘Parents everywhere are rejecting the idea that screens are the same as play — and it’s brilliant to see toy retailers reflecting that this Christmas.

‘So many screen-based toys do the playing for children. The best toys do the opposite: they give the imagination back to them.

‘A box of Lego or a dress-up box can be whatever a child dreams up. A game on a tablet is only ever what someone else designed it to be.’

Meanwhile, Smyths Toys Superstores said that ‘screen-free play continues to make a comeback’.

Sinead Byrne, European marketing director at the toy retailer, said: ‘Families are rediscovering toys and games that give them a chance to switch off and connect with each other.

‘At Smyths Toys, we’ve seen particularly strong interest in LEGO, games and creative toys for 2026, from hands-on drawing and craft sets to laugh-out-loud family games.

‘There’s something brilliantly nostalgic about everyone gathering around a game or enjoying an activity together, creating those shared moments and memories that Christmas is all about.’

Included in the retailer’s top festive picks are the drawing Robot Set, Gui Gui Salish Deluxe Haul, and games such as Rump Race and UNO Show ‘Em No Mercy Extreme.

One Nation MP Barnaby Joyce has supported the Greens’ push to prevent Australians from watching the planned livestream of the execution of American mass shooter Nidal Malik Hasan.

Joyce condemned the Pentagon’s decision to broadcast the execution, which would be the first US firing-squad execution since the Second World War, describing it as “a blood-soaked spectacle out of ancient Rome”.

“This is Roman amphitheatre stuff, no, I don’t agree with it,” Joyce said during Question Time in parliament on Monday.

“We don’t have the death penalty in Australia, and I certainly don’t want children, or anyone for that matter, witnessing another human being shot by a firing squad.”

His comments aligned with the Greens, who say Australians should be blocked from accessing what they described as a “shocking and barbaric” livestream.

Greens communications spokeswoman Sarah Hanson-Young has written to eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant, asking for steps to be taken to restrict access to the broadcast in Australia.

“Inaction on this will jeopardise millions of Australians’ online safety and expose both adults and children to this harmful content,” Hanson-Young wrote.

Joyce’s stance puts him at odds with his former Coalition colleagues, who have warned that enforcing such a ban could raise broader free-speech concerns.

Opposition Leader Angus Taylor declined to comment directly on the case, saying it was a matter for the United States.

Shadow Treasurer Tim Wilson told the ABC that allowing violent content was “enormously problematic”, while also cautioning that censorship could have wider implications for the internet.

Labor minister Daniel Mulino welcomed earlier measures designed to protect social media users from harmful material, but questioned how authorities could specifically target the execution livestream.

“We need to walk a fine line with social media between imposing protections where appropriate and making sure that people have the freedom to express themselves,” he told the ABC.

“This is a difficult balance at times.”

MUST READ: “It’s a shame” – Pochettino slams penalty drama from Chelsea players, makes vow – NewsFinale

US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth confirmed last week that the public would be able to watch the execution on December 3.

Hasan faces the death penalty for killing 13 people and injuring 32 others during a shooting rampage at the Texas military base Fort Hood in 2009.

The execution would be the first carried out by the US military in 65 years and, if broadcast, would mark the first time a lawful execution had been publicly livestreamed in the United States.

The Pentagon’s decision to broadcast the execution has drawn widespread condemnation, with critics likening the move to the current Afghan and Iranian regimes.

Vice President JD Vance – a practising Catholic – confirmed that he wouldn’t be watching the execution but stopped short of criticising the decision to stream it.

‘Whatever the controversy is about the method of the execution, I hope the people don’t forget that this is a guy who brutally murdered a lot of innocent people,’ he told reporters.

‘That said, if it’s ultimately livestreamed, I’m not going to be watching it.’

Hegseth backed the execution stream while speaking with Real America’s Voice, telling the broadcaster it was important to understand the ‘serious consequences’ for such crimes.

He also claimed the execution would take place at Fort Hood and that the date was selected to coincide with the day of the massacre.

‘He’s going to get a firing squad of soldiers as it should be,’ Hegseth said.

Hasan will face the firing squad in a wheelchair, according to reports.

He was partly paralysed after he was shot by a police officer during his arrest.

Security arrangements for some of Britain’s most prominent public figures, including politicians and members of the Royal Family, are set to undergo an urgent review following the murder of Ann Widdecombe.

Home Secretary Shabana Mahmood announced the overhaul on Monday as concern grows over the safety of people serving in public life.

The independent review will assess whether current protective measures are adequate for government ministers, MPs, senior political figures and members of the Royal Family.

The announcement comes three months after Miss Widdecombe, a 78-year-old former Conservative minister and Reform UK spokeswoman, was brutally murdered at her home in Devon.

Speaking in the House of Commons on Monday afternoon, Ms Mahmood said police protection would be extended to political figures who are no longer serving as MPs.

The change could offer additional security to former MPs and other high-profile politicians who remain in the public spotlight after leaving elected office.

Sir Stephen Lovegrove, a former national security adviser and senior civil servant, has been chosen to head the independent review.

His investigation will examine the UK’s existing protection arrangements and consider whether they are strong enough to defend prominent public figures from potential threats.

Ms Mahmood said: “Those who enter public life do so to serve. Robust debate and criticism are part of the job. Threats, abuse and violence are not.

“An attack on any individual in public life is an attack on every one of us, and it is an attack on democracy itself.

“We owe it to those public servants we have tragically lost, and to everyone who believes in a fair and open country, to ensure those who serve receive the protection they deserve.”

MUST READ: Experts Reveal the Skills Needed to Survive an Apocalypse

The announcement follows mounting pressure on ministers to improve security after Miss Widdecombe was found dead at her home in Haytor, on Dartmoor, in July.

Joshua Kerry, 28, from Rotherham in South Yorkshire, has been charged with her murder.

He also faces terrorism-related charges linked to an investigation into alleged threats against Reform UK leader Nigel Farage.

During a court hearing last week, prosecutors alleged that Kerry had conducted extensive research into public figures and institutions and tried to gain access to Mr Farage’s home.

The allegations have not been proven, and the criminal proceedings are continuing.

Miss Widdecombe’s death sent shockwaves through Westminster, prompting politicians to warn about the dangers faced by people in public life—particularly those no longer covered by the security protections available to serving MPs.

The veteran politician represented Maidstone and later Maidstone and the Weald as a Conservative MP between 1987 and 2010, before becoming a Brexit Party MEP and subsequently a spokeswoman for Reform UK.

Her murder also revived painful memories of the killings of Labour MP Jo Cox in 2016 and Conservative MP Sir David Amess in 2021.

Both were murdered while carrying out their duties as elected representatives, prompting repeated calls for greater protection for politicians and their staff.

The latest review will raise questions about whether existing arrangements adequately reflect the risks faced by political figures after they leave Parliament, particularly those who continue to attract significant public attention.

It also places renewed scrutiny on the balance between protecting public figures and ensuring politicians remain accessible to the people they represent.

Nearly a decade ago, Cat Pierce was riding in a taxi in Los Angeles when she began chatting with the driver, who asked her age.

“I told him I was 40,” she recalls. “He pulled over at the side of the road and took a picture of me to send to his wife. He simply couldn’t believe it.”

Now 49, Cat remains accustomed to receiving startled reactions whenever she shares her age.

On her birthday last month, she uploaded a video of herself holding a cupcake as the candles changed from 29 to 39 and then 49. The post quickly triggered a lively debate over how old she really looked.

“People generally assume I’m in my early 30s,” she says. “Some said, ‘She looks like she’s in her 20s,’ while others commented, ‘She looks 60.’”

Despite her notably youthful appearance, Cat says she has never undergone plastic surgery or laser treatments. Her skincare and beauty routine, she insists, is far less complicated than many might expect.

The artist, singer and beauty business owner, who has more than 400,000 Instagram followers, attributes her appearance to healthy food, regular walking, skincare and, above all, taking care of her emotional wellbeing.

She does use wrinkle-smoothing Botox, but says she has kept the injections to a minimum.

“I have a small amount of Botox between my eyebrows because I tend to make a worried, concerned expression,” she says.

“I had developed a deep line there and thought, ‘I don’t like looking worried and concerned.’ It was more about changing that expression than trying to look younger.”

She has also tried injections around her eyes and across her upper forehead, but says she disliked the frozen sensation and the effect they had on her smile.

“I don’t want to Botox away all my expression,” she says. “When you become so focused on removing every tiny line, you can end up looking unlike yourself.”

Cat became a mother for the first time at 45 with the help of donor eggs. She has since relocated with her family from Los Angeles to her native Alabama, where she continues to view ageing as a milestone to celebrate, not dread.

“I began sharing this message on Instagram for women over 40 because that is the stage of life when society tells you, ‘You should be winding things down.’”

“And I’m thinking, no. That’s when my life truly began to blossom.”

So what does Cat consider the key to her youthful appearance, and could her approach work for other women?

Cat says the most valuable part of her beauty routine has little to do with the products she applies to her face.

Instead, she places the greatest emphasis on protecting her mental health—particularly by learning to manage stress.

‘I think the key is emotional hygiene, therapy, learning how to redirect your thoughts if they get negative, learning to take a deep breath if you feel stressed,’ she says.

‘I used to spiral. If I had negative thoughts, I would follow that path and spiral into it. Now I’ve learned to spiral up out of it instead of into despair.’

Over the years, she has turned to therapy, self-help books, meditation and yoga to help her cope with life’s pressures.

One habit she tries to practise every day is Yoga Nidra, sometimes called ‘yogic sleep’ – a form of guided meditation that involves lying still and following instructions designed to bring the body into a state of deep relaxation.

‘It almost puts you into a sleep state, but it’s super restorative,’ she says. ‘You don’t fully go to sleep. It feels almost like a light nap mixed with meditation.’

Sessions can last anywhere from 15 to 45 minutes, and Cat believes making time for them has transformed her wellbeing.

There is some scientific evidence to support the benefits.

In a 2023 study published in the journal PLOS One, researchers found that people who practised Yoga Nidra daily for four weeks experienced modest improvements in sleep quality, as well as better performance on tests of attention and memory.

The study, involving just 41 participants, also found increased delta-wave activity during deep sleep – brain waves associated with the body’s restorative sleep processes.

However, while reducing stress and improving sleep may benefit overall health, there is no convincing evidence that Yoga Nidra itself can prevent wrinkles or make someone look younger.

For Cat, though, the appeal is that it costs nothing and can be fitted around even the busiest day.

‘Giving that time for your body to rest and restore [itself] and making that a priority is very, very helpful for every aspect of yourself, spiritual and physical,’ she says.

When it comes to skincare, Cat believes simplicity is key.

Rather than following elaborate multi-step routines or constantly trying the latest anti-ageing products, she focuses on keeping her skin moisturised.

Her daily routine centres on a facial mist followed by an oil containing rosehip seed oil, an ingredient rich in fatty acids that help support the skin’s natural protective barrier and prevent moisture loss.

Cat has a commercial interest in the products she uses: she developed them herself for her skincare brand, OMEN.

Her range also contains ingredients such as hyaluronic acid, which helps the skin retain moisture, and vitamin C, which has some evidence behind its ability to stimulate collagen production and improve uneven pigmentation.

Cat also believes keeping her lips moisturised helps them retain their fullness.

‘As you get older, your lips can get thinner-looking,’ she adds.

Cat is equally relaxed about her diet. She doesn’t count calories, cut out food groups or follow a strict eating plan.

CONTINUE READING: Maryland Couple Dies in Bed in Hail of Bullets; 4 Children Hid for Hours Before Calling Authorities – NewsFinale

Instead, she focuses on eating plenty of vegetables and protein.

‘The past few years, I’ve been eating tons of pumpkin seeds because I was reading how they are so good for your skin and your hair,’ she says.

Cat adds: ‘I eat tons of healthy fats, tons of olive oil, avocado, even butter. I think that’s really important to [help you] keep some volume in your skin and keep you feeling good. It’s good for your brain, it’s good for your skin, it’s good for your hair.’

She also makes a point of staying hydrated, and always keeps a gallon-sized water bottle nearby because she notices her skin feels drier when she doesn’t drink enough.

And, unlike many beauty influencers, she doesn’t bother with expensive supplements.

‘I get most of my nutrients from food,’ she says. ‘I’ll read about a new supplement and try it, but I never stick to anything.’

Her overall philosophy is refreshingly uncomplicated.

‘I eat lots of vegetables, lots of healthy meats. I’m not super strict about anything. I just try to listen to my body and eat what feels good for me.’

Nor does Cat spend hours in the gym trying to maintain her youthful figure.

Instead, her main form of exercise is walking – preferably outdoors.

‘That’s the thing that feels the best for me,’ she says. ‘I feel like getting out in nature and walking nourishes you on a lot of different levels.’

But she admits there is one area where she could improve.

Her husband, a personal trainer, is constantly encouraging her to start lifting weights to protect her bones and muscles as she gets older.

‘I can kind of feel my body changing. The density of my muscles and legs feels different, so I’m ready to bulk up,’ she says.

Sleep is another priority, although with a young daughter and a business to run, Cat admits she doesn’t always get as much as she’d like.

‘I try to get eight hours of sleep, but it doesn’t always end up that way. I would say six to nine. I try to get more, but with having a toddler, it’s tough sometimes,’ she says.

Poor sleep has been linked to changes in skin barrier function and visible signs of ageing, although getting more sleep won’t necessarily make someone look decades younger.

And Cat is the first to admit that even her healthy habits sometimes fall by the wayside.

‘Currently, right now, I don’t feel my healthiest. We’re moving, and there is stress as well. You have periods of life. You can’t always be in peak condition,’ she says.

‘But being gentle with yourself and allowing yourself to have moments where you slip a little bit is actually healthy. You just have to stay balanced and not be too hard on yourself.’

So how much of Cat’s youthful appearance can really be attributed to her daily habits?

Experts agree that many of the things she recommends – eating a balanced diet, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep and managing stress – are important for healthy ageing.

Strength training becomes increasingly important with age, particularly for women, who experience accelerated bone loss after the menopause.

Regular resistance exercise can help preserve muscle mass, maintain bone density and reduce the risk of osteoporosis.

However, while pumpkin seeds provide nutrients essential for healthy skin and hair, there is no proof that eating them prevents wrinkles. Nor is there evidence that consuming extra healthy fats preserves facial volume, or that applying lip balm prevents lips thinning with age.

And although studies suggest Yoga Nidra can improve sleep and reduce stress, none has shown that it makes people look younger.

Ultimately, genetics, sun exposure and other lifestyle factors all influence how quickly we visibly age – and no combination of healthy habits can guarantee a wrinkle-free complexion.

Cat insists she feels healthier approaching 50 than she ever did in her 20s.

‘In my 20s, I was abusing my body. I was drinking too much, I was staying out late, I was eating junk food. Just the normal 20-year-old stuff living in New York City,’ she says.

‘In my 30s, I started to enter into a more conscious phase and began taking care of myself.

‘I started to crave healthier foods and crave being in nature, learning more about myself and my emotions and doing therapy. All of that compounds into healthier everyday living.’

Becoming a mother at 45 has also given her a new sense of purpose, she says, encouraging her to make better use of her time and pursue her creative ambitions.

And while she enjoys looking younger than her years, Cat insists she has no desire to turn back the clock.

Instead of ‘ageing gracefully’, she prefers to think of it as ‘ageing gratefully’.

‘When I get stuck in those modes of wanting to feel younger or different, I try to go into a mode of gratitude,’ she says.

‘I’m so grateful for the wisdom that I have right now and the experience that I have right now. That is so valuable and so beautiful.

‘I think focusing on what the years have given you, rather than what the years have taken away, is really, really important.’