Instead of flat faces, this cube is built from rows of round bubbles, three across and three high on every side, like a stack of glossy marbles fused into a block. The bubbles are translucent, so light passes through them and the whole cube glows in its colour.

That bumpy surface changes how it feels. Fingers settle into the gaps between the bubbles, and a squeeze makes each bubble swell and press against its neighbours before the cube springs back into its tidy grid. Children often roll a thumb from bubble to bubble instead of squeezing the whole thing.

It measures about 5 cm on each side, a comfortable size for a child's palm, and it comes in translucent pink, blue, purple or yellow. The box is black, marked CUBE SQUEEZE BALL and Super Solid Squish, with a 3+ age mark and a small-parts warning. One colour is sent at random.

Of the four squeeze cubes Safencia sells, this is the one with the most texture. The glitter, marble and NeeDoh-style cubes all have smooth faces; if the child who is getting it likes to pick at bumps and ridges, this is the right one.

Keep it out of strong sun and heat, away from sharp nails and teeth, and wipe it clean with a damp cloth. The glossy surface picks up dust in a school bag, so a small pouch helps.

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