Toniebox Review: Best Gift for Screen-Free Kids (2024)

Are you wanting easy bedtimes and screen and device-free alternatives for your child? The storytelling Toniebox is my top pick gift that parents will love.
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OK… so while this gift is masquerading as something for the children, it is really a blessing for parents too. Learning to enjoy quiet time is often not just for the children but for parents also. We can get so used to being on the go all the time that we can be plagued by guilt if we take time out. Down time is a skill that often needs to be learned and to be recognised for what it is, an act of self-care for everyone’s wellbeing; a time to put your feet up, to recharge and refresh. 

The trouble is that whatever keeps our children’s attention during down time, often involves devices. What are we able offer them for not only educational but screen-free entertainment? 

Introducing… The Toniebox Audio Player. While this is a perfect solution for older children, even toddlers can operate this story and music player independently. How does the Toniebox work? By simply placing the magnetic, hand-painted figurines on the top of the box, little hands are able to change and repeat audio books without the assistance of an adult. As long as the Tonie figure is in the vicinity of the square on top of the Toniebox, the story or music will begin to play, even if the Tonie is not perfectly in place. 

Softer than expected, this squishy box (available in a variety of colors) is made for rough and tumble. It can be shaken, dropped and sat on, able to cope with any treatment thrown at it by little players. The volume control operates by pressing the ears and the tracks can be skipped or repeated by hitting the side of the box. Even the ears are flexible so there are no hard or sharp corners that may cause injury. 

Keep your Toniebox by the bedside, ready to go for easy nap times and bedtimes. This squishy box is soft enough to snuggle.

With hundreds of story options available, Tonies figurines will keep you sorted for birthday and Christmas gifts for many years to come. How excited will the children be to find a new Tonie in their Christmas stocking each year. English, French and German content Tonies are regularly added to the existing library of familiar characters, so you will never be short of choices. 

Sleepy time Tonies are also available for little listeners. If you are looking for an easy answer to nap times and bedtimes, some of these lullaby Tonies or bedtime story Tonies for younger children are what you have been searching for. With some Tonies also featuring white noise, these are a great way to take the stress out of bedtime if you have a reluctant sleeper in your home. Bedtime Stories with Sleepy Bear and Lullaby Melodies with Sleepy Sheep are two of the bestsellers. There is also a gorgeous companion Sleepy Sheep Night Light that can be used with or without your Toniebox. Sweet dreams 🌙 
Tonies Night Light

Tonies Night Light - Sleepy Sheep Audio Play Character from Sleepy Friends | Warm Glow | 90 Minutes of Beautifully Composed Melodies | Record Your Own Bedtime Stories

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If you have little ones who have a habit of waking up before the birds each morning, Tonies characters also make great companions for your children first thing in the morning. Able to navigate different stories or their favourite song independently, Toniebox makes a great start to the day for children as an alternative to screens. 

Personally, I love the more classic stories for gifting but there is such a diverse range that there are sure to be stories to suit every taste. While most of the Tonies figurines are similar in price, some are of much greater value for money as each Tonie character varies widely in run time. Paddington Bear is one of the best value classic figurines for young children as the audio content contains 8 stories with a total run time of 155 minutes. 
Tonies: Paddington Bear

The classic story of Paddington, the bear from Darkest Peru, who was found lost on Paddington Station.

Includes Paddington Bear toy character with 8 stories and total run time of approximately 155 minutes. Recommended Age Range: 3+, Language: English, Narrated by Stephen Fry.

Tracklist: Please Look After This Bear, A Bear in Hot Water, Paddington Goes Underground, A Shopping Expedition, Paddington and the ‘Old Master’, A Visit to the Theatre, Adventure at the Seaside, and A Disappearing Trick.

Requires Toniebox Audio Player to play audio; sold separately.

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There are nursery rhymes and fairy tales for younger kids as well as timeless classics such as Peter Rabbit, the Robert McCloskey collection and Winnie the Pooh. See the Best Winnie-the-Pooh Complete Literature Collection here. Older kids might enjoy favourite stories such as Charlie and the Chocolate Factory or amusing music such as Beethoven’s Wig

The most popular starter kit comes with the Playtime Puppy Tonie which has a 52 minute run time of favorite children’s songs. There are also many alternative characters available in a Toniebox starter set that contain collections of themed Tonies such as Disney princesses or Paw Patrol for young kids. Starter sets also come with a charging station.
Toniebox Audio Player

Toniebox Audio Player Starter Set with Playtime Puppy - Listen, Learn, and Play with One Huggable Little Box - Many colors to choose from.

Visit the Toniebox Store Here! Many colors and bundles to choose from.

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Another great addition to your Tonie figurines is the Creative Tonie, enabling you to personally add new content to your child’s library. There are a huge selection of these unique, recordable figurines that can be used for special messages, songs or books read by friends and family members for special occasions.

Maybe you have friends and family located overseas? They can send you audio recordings that you can then load on to your Creative Tonie. As there are many figurine choices amongst the Creative Tonies, you can create individual Tonies so that each of your children can have different Tonies, personalised just for them.
Tonies Creative Audio Character

Creative-Tonies have 90 minutes of space to fill with your own custom content.

Use the mytonies app (or my.tonies.com) to record your own adventures, download free content from Tonies, or transfer your own existing audio files onto a Creative-Tonie.

Invite family and friends from around the world to contribute content to one, some, or all of your Creative-Tonies. Many colors and styles to choose from.

See more Tonie Creatives here!

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Your Toniebox and Tonies library also make great companions on long car rides. Just pick up your carry case (available in a variety of designs and colors) and your Toniebox and figurines are always ready at hand to go with you. 
Toniebox & Tonies Carry Bag

Carry Bag for Toniebox Audio Player and Tonies figurines. More colors to choose from.

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Toniebox was super easy to set up the first time using the Mytonies app. As long as you have adequate wi-fi reception, your Toniebox will be ready to go in no time. After placing on the charging station, you only need wi-fi for initial setup and then your Toniebox is ready to travel with you without needing further wi-fi connection. There is also a headphone jack and the battery life lasts about 7 hours. 

This is one of the best toys I have encountered in a kid culture swamped with screens and devices. I would so loved to have had something like this when my children were little. The more children you have, the better value for money the Toniebox is. You can use one Toniebox for the whole family while personalising an individual library of figurines for each child, depending on their tastes and favorite stories. Your children can even record their own stories either for themselves or as gifts for friends who have their own Tonie box. 

Peter Rabbit
Blues Clues
Winnie the Pooh
Paddington Bear
Say, “goodbye” to screen time and embrace a new device-free and screen-free way to spend your quiet time. May your Toniebox experience bring long time joy, peace and happiness to your home. 
Toniebox Audio Player

Toniebox Audio Player Starter Set with Playtime Puppy - Listen, Learn, and Play with One Huggable Little Box - Many colors to choose from.

Visit the Toniebox Store Here! Many colors and bundles to choose from.

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Here are some of my favorites from the Tonies library:

Winnie-the-Pooh – A. A. Milne

Tonies Winnie The Pooh Audio Play Character

Join us for some fun in the Hundred Acre Wood! Listen as Winnie the Pooh and his good friends Christopher Robin, Piglet, Tigger, Owl, Rabbit, Eeyore, Gopher and Kanga & Roo go on honey-filled adventures.

Teaches children about friendship, teamwork, and problem solving

Includes Winnie the Pooh toy character with 4 songs, 3 stories, and total run time of approximately 32 minutes. Recommended Age Range: 3+, Language: English, Narrated by Laurie Main.

Tracklist: Songs: Winnie the Pooh, Little Black Rain Cloud, Rumbly in My Tumbly, and Up Down and Touch the Ground. Stories: Winnie the Pooh and the Honey Tree, Winnie the Pooh and the Blustery Day, and Winnie the Pooh and Tigger Too.

Requires Toniebox Audio Player to play audio; sold separately.

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Pair Storytime Tonies with their companion books: thoughtful gift bundles for those you love

Pair these Tonies with their companion books: read along in the book as the Tonie plays.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – Roald Dahl

Tonies: Charlie and The Chocolate Factory (Great value! 198 minutes run time)

Charlie Bucket's wonderful adventure begins when he finds one of Mr. Willy Wonka's precious Golden Tickets and wins a whole day inside the mysterious chocolate factory.

Teaches children about imagination, respect, and wealth doesn’t make you great.

Includes Willy Wonka toy character with 1 story and total run time of approximately 198 minutes. Recommended Age Range: 5+, Language: English.

Story: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (Unabridged Version)

Requires Toniebox Audio Player to play audio; sold separately.

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We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Peter Rabbit – Beatrix Potter

Tonies Peter Rabbit Audio Play Character from Beatrix Potter

Four of Beatrix Potter’s most famous and beloved tales in one wonderful collection. Contains the following stories: The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Mr. Tod, The Tale of Benjamin Bunny and the Tale of The Flopsy Bunnies. This Tonie contains original language from the Beatrix Potter stories.

Teaches children about perseverance, believing in their dreams, following advice and listening to others.min Bunny and the Tale of The Flopsy Bunnies. This Tonie contains original language from the Beatrix Potter stories.

Includes Peter Rabbit toy character with 4 stories and run time of approximately 65 minutes. Recommended Age Range: 3+, Language: English.

Tracklist: Stories: The Tale of Peter Rabbit, The Tale of Mr. Tod, The Tale of Benjamin Bunny and the Tale of The Flopsy Bunnies.

Requires Toniebox Audio Player to play audio; sold separately.

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We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Paddington Bear – Michael Bond

Tonies Paddington Bear Audio Play Character

The classic story of Paddington, the bear from Darkest Peru, who was found lost on Paddington Station.

Teaches children that manners matter, not to judge a book by its cover, and the power of apology.

Includes Paddington Bear toy character with 8 stories and total run time of approximately 155 minutes. Recommended Age Range: 3+, Language: English, Narrated by Stephen Fry.

Tracklist: Please Look After This Bear, A Bear in Hot Water, Paddington Goes Underground, A Shopping Expedition, Paddington and the ‘Old Master’, A Visit to the Theatre, Adventure at the Seaside, and A Disappearing Trick.

Requires Toniebox Audio Player to play audio; sold separately.

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We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Dr. Seuss

Tonies Cat in The Hat Audio Play Character by Dr. Seuss

All of your favorite Dr. Seuss characters together in one adventure-packed collection. Double the trouble with Cat in the Hat and Cat in the Hat Comes Back along with four other classic stories. Enjoy a world full of silly creatures, wacky word play, and the ABC’s in a fun and imaginative way.

Teaches children about responsibility, honest, the alphabet, and gratitude.

Includes Cat in the Hat toy character with 6 stories and total run time of approximately 51 minutes. Recommended Age Range: 3+, Language: English.

Tracklist: Cat in the Hat, Dr. Seuss the ABC Book, There's a Wocket in My Pocket, If I Ran the Circus, Do You Know How Lucky You Are?, and Cat in the Hat Comes Back.

Requires Toniebox Audio Player to play audio; sold separately.

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We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
Tonies Sam-I-Am Audio Play Character from Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss

This collection of seven titles offers a captivating listening experience filled with wacky rhymes, whimsical tales, important life lessons, and Dr. Seuss's signature charm.

Teaches children about trying new things, problem-solving, and playful curiosity.

Includes Sam-I-Am toy character with 6 stories and total run time of approximately 55 minutes. Recommended Age Range: 3+, Language: English.

Tracklist: Stories: 1) Green Eggs and Ham, 2) I Had Trouble in Getting to Solla Sollew, 3) Tadd and Todd, 4) Too Many Daves, 5) Fox in Socks, 6) Mr. Brown Can Moo.

Requires Toniebox Audio Player to play audio; sold separately.

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We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Corduroy Bear

Tonies Corduroy Audio Play Character
  • Corduroy, the small teddy bear, is waiting on a department store shelf for his new friend Lisa. Their friendship takes Corduroy on many adventures. Follow along as Corduroy searches for a birthday present and visits the theater and the laundromat for the first time.
  • Teaches children about friendship, adventure, and problem solving.
  • Includes Corduroy toy character with 4 stories and total run time of approximately 33 minutes. Recommended Age Range: 3+, Language: English, Narrated by Viola Davis and Bahni Turpin.
  • Tracklist: Corduroy, Corduroy Lost and Found, Corduroy Takes a Bow, and A Pocket for Corduroy.
  • Requires Toniebox Audio Player to play audio; sold separately.
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We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

Eric Carle Collection

Tonies The Very Hungry Caterpillar Audio Play Character
  • The classic stories of The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Very Busy Spider and The Very Quiet Cricket come to life in this beautiful audio collection. Also featuring a special read-along of The Very Hungry Caterpillar narrated by Eric Carle himself, this compilation is complete with interesting facts and original tunes.
  • Teaches children about different bugs, perseverance, and making new friends.
  • Includes Very Hungry Caterpillar toy character with 3 stories, 3 songs, 3 sets of fun facts, and total run time of approximately 43 minutes. Recommended Age Range: 3+, Language: English, Narrated by Eric Carle.
  • Tracklist: The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Song, Fun Facts about Caterpillars, The Very Busy Spider, The Very Busy Spider Song, Fun Facts about Spiders, The Very Quiet Cricket, The Very Quiet Cricket Song, Fun Facts about Crickets, and The Very Hungry Caterpillar (read by Eric Carle).
  • Requires Toniebox Audio Player to play audio; sold separately.
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We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.
We earn a commission if you make a purchase, at no additional cost to you.

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

Tonies We're Going on a Bear Hunt Audio Play Character
  • This very special Tonie is based upon the award winning film adaption of "We're Going on a Bear Hunt", based on the bestselling bedtime book, written by Michael Rosen and illustrated by Helen Oxenbury.
  • Teaches children about the five senses, facing your fears, curiosity and exploration.
  • Includes We're Going on a Bear Hunt toy character with 1 story and total run time of approximately 23 minutes. Recommended Age Range: 4+, Language: English.
  • Tracklist: Story: We're Going on a Bear Hunt.
  • Requires Toniebox Audio Player to play audio; sold separately.
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Make Way for Ducklings – Robert McCloskey Collection

Tonies Make Way for Ducklings Audio Play Character
  • This collection brings together five beloved stories from Robert McCloskey, including Make Way for Ducklings, Blueberries for Sal, One Morning in Maine, Time of Wonder, and Lentil. Generations of children have grown up with these stories, and now families of all ages can listen and relisten to these award-winning classics.
  • Teaches children about family, animals, nature, adventure, and being true to yourself.
  • Includes Make Way for Ducklings toy character with 5 stories and total run time of approximately 68 minutes. Recommended Age Range: 3+, Language: English.
  • Tracklist: Stories: 1) Make Way for Ducklings, 2) Blueberries for Sal, 3) One Morning in Maine, 4) Time of Wonder, 5) Lentil.
  • Requires Toniebox Audio Player to play audio; sold separately.
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Make Way for McCloskey: A Robert McCloskey Treasury

A Beautiful Hardcover Gift edition.

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