Toniebox Review: Best Gift for Screen-Free Kids (2025)

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.

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. This post may contain affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.

Toniebox & Storytelling Tonies

Suggested age: 3-12 years.

Storyschooling Top Pick

Toniebox Audio Starter Set with Cat in The Hat, Sam-l-Am, Horton Hears a Who!, and Playtime Puppy - Listen, Learn, and Play with One Huggable Little Box - Light Blue

$260.99

Tonies Toniebox Kids Audio Player Dr. Seuss Bundle with Sam-l-Am, Horton Hears a Who!, Cat in The Hat, and Playtime Puppy - Screen-Free Storyteller Toy, Light Blue

Buy Now

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

02/25/2026 02:08 pm GMT

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 🌙

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.

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.

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

$9.99

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!

Buy Now

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

02/25/2026 02:08 pm GMT

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

~~$18.74~~ $11.81

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

Buy Now

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

02/25/2026 02:07 pm GMT

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.

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.

Here are some of my favorites from the Tonies library:

Winnie-the-Pooh – A. A. Milne

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

Peter Rabbit – Beatrix Potter

The Tale of Peter Rabbit: A Lift-the-Flap Board Book - Beatrix Potter

~~$7.99~~ $5.79

Buy Now

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

02/25/2026 01:07 pm GMT

Paddington Bear – Michael Bond

Paddington - Michael Bond (Hardcover)

~~$19.99~~ $10.11

Buy Now

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

02/25/2026 01:08 pm GMT

Dr. Seuss

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

$19.94

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.

Buy Now

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

02/25/2026 02:08 pm GMT

The Cat in the Hat - Dr Seuss (Hardcover)

~~$9.99~~ $5.98

Buy Now

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

02/25/2026 12:08 pm GMT

Dr. Seuss's ABC (Beginner Books, I Can Read It All By Myself)

~~$9.99~~ $5.98

(Hardcover)

Buy Now

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

02/25/2026 04:03 am GMT

Green Eggs and Ham - Dr Seuss

~~$9.99~~ $5.98

(Hardcover)

Buy Now

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

02/25/2026 07:06 am GMT

Corduroy Bear

Tonies Corduroy Audio Play Character

$19.99

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.

Buy Now

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

02/25/2026 02:08 pm GMT

Corduroy Board Book - Don Freeman

~~$9.99~~ $5.00

Buy Now

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

02/25/2026 04:01 am GMT

Eric Carle Collection

Tonies The Very Hungry Caterpillar Audio Play Character

$19.94

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.

Buy Now

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

02/25/2026 02:08 pm GMT

The Very Hungry Caterpillar - Eric Carle

~~$21.99~~ $10.86

(Hardcover)

Buy Now

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

02/25/2026 02:01 pm GMT

The Very Busy Spider - Eric Carle

~~$22.99~~ $7.78

Hardcover

Buy Now

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

02/25/2026 02:01 pm GMT

The Very Quiet Cricket - Eric Carle

~~$26.99~~ $12.35

Hardcover

Buy Now

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

02/25/2026 02:02 pm GMT

We’re Going on a Bear Hunt

Tonies We're Going on a Bear Hunt Audio Play Character

$14.99

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.

Buy Now

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

02/25/2026 02:09 pm GMT