Perplexus Rebel: 3D ball maze with 70 obstacles for kids aged 6 and up

Perplexus Rebel is a dexterity game shaped like a clear sphere. Inside runs a plastic track along which you guide a small ball by twisting, tilting and turning the whole sphere in every direction. The track is numbered, so you always know how far you've got.

According to Spin Master there are 70 obstacles along the way, including an igloo, narrow tubes and stairs. If the ball falls off the track, it's back to the start. That's exactly the appeal: you get to know the course bit by bit and get a little further with each attempt. Play on your own or take turns to see who gets furthest.

The Rebel succeeds the earlier Perplexus Rookie with new packaging, and the maker positions it as the entry point to the range. If you want more of a challenge, the Beast and Epic models are sold separately. Spin Master recommends it for ages 6 and up. It needs no batteries and works purely mechanically.

Worth knowing: the package measures about 18 × 18 × 22 cm, so the sphere is fairly large and can feel a bit unwieldy in small hands at first. Because the ball returns to the start after every mistake, younger children may get frustrated quickly. Further difficulty levels are only available with the separately sold models.