Chris Wedel is a fan of all things tech and gadgets. Living in rural Kansas with his wife and two young boys makes finding ways to stay online tricky — not to mention making my homestead smarter.

Activity length: 1-2 hours. What you might need: A cardboard box, two wooden lolly sticks, scissors, sticky tape, a marble/small ball, extra cardboard and paper, coloured pens (for decorating).

The best smart home devices can raise your home's IQ, from security cameras and Wi-Fi locks to smart light bulbs. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission ...