Remember these gadgets? Best retro tech that offers a blast from your past

Ditch the screens and give your children a taste of what it was like to be a kid in the 80s with these retro half-term toys.

The Rubik’s Cube became a global sensation in the 1980s, challenging kids across the world to master the iconic 3D puzzle. Invented in 1974 by Hungarian professor Ernő Rubik, the colourful brain-teaser has sold more than 500 million units.

Today, there are still plenty of versions to choose from, including a Special Retro 50th Anniversary Edition.

With enough practice over half-term, your kids could even take a shot at the world record. That currently belongs to 9-year-old Teodor Zajder from Poland, who solved the cube in an astonishing 2.76 seconds.

Prices start from £12.99 at Amazon • BUY IT HERE

Possibly one of the coolest bikes ever made, the Raleigh Chopper ruled school playgrounds with its futuristic styling, iconic U-shaped handlebars, chunky rear wheel and unmistakable gear lever.

First launched in 1969, the legendary bike returned in 2024 with a modern twist, now available in limited-edition Fizzy Lemon and Space Blue colourways.

It still turns heads at the local park and has all the retro charm to tempt kids away from screens and out on adventures.

The new Raleigh Chopper is available from online bike retailers for around £999 • BUY IT HERE

Smartphones may have changed the way we take photos, but there’s still plenty of fun in doing things the old-fashioned way.

Instant cameras are, once again, booming in popularity, giving youngsters a taste of what it was like to wait for holiday snaps to develop.

Polaroid offers a wide range of instant cameras, including the Polaroid Flip, Polaroid Now and Polaroid Go, with prices starting at under £100.

Another popular choice is Instax, with models starting from around £80 for those looking to bring physical film photography back into their lives.

The cameras are widely available in the UK, including at Argos and Amazon • BUY IT HERE

Don’t want your kids doomscrolling their way through the holidays. The Retro 3D Stereoscopic Viewer offers a classic way to click through photos.

Simply slot the picture reel into the colourful viewer and press the lever to click through each image in eye-popping 3D.

Made from durable smash-proof plastic, it comes with themed reels including sea life, nature, dinosaurs and space.

At just £12.98, it offers cheap entertainment without the need for screens • BUY IT HERE

Forget expensive PlayStations and Xbox consoles - the Atari 2600+ delivers retro gaming fun without the premium price tag. First released in 1980, the original console became an instant success thanks to arcade classics and family-friendly hits like Pong.

Now it's been revived with a nostalgic new version that's even compatible with original Atari game cartridges.

To keep the whole family entertained, it comes with a 10-in-1 game cartridge with titles such as Combat, Dodge 'Em, Haunted House and Maze Craze.

The Atari 2600+ is an Amazon exclusive and costs £99.99 • BUY IT HERE

This cassette player offers a blast from the past. Inspired by iconic 80s boomboxes, the GB-001 from We Are Rewind lets you dust off your old mixtapes and relive the glory days of analogue music.

Just hit the play button, fire up the built-in speakers and show the younger generation what music sounded like before streaming apps like Spotify took over.

It’s fully portable, features a rechargeable battery, and there’s a microphone input for impromptu karaoke sessions

The GB-001 is available at wearerewind.com for £389 • BUY IT HERE