In an age dominated by screens and digital devices, many parents are looking for screen-free entertainment options for their kids. One creative solution is Tonies – a unique system that brings audio stories and music to life through imaginative, toy-like objects called Tonies. In this blog post, I’ll introduce you to Tonies and share my experience using them with my own kids.
What are Tonies?
Tonies are a proprietary system created by a German company called Boxine. The system includes a plastic Toniebox player and hand-painted character Tonies that each contain an audio track. When a Tonie is placed on top of the Toniebox, the audio plays through a speaker in the device. Taking the Tonie off the box stops the audio.
The Tonies are designed to spark imagination and creativity. Without screens or buttons, kids can focus on the audio storytelling. Each Tonie character relates to the particular story or song loaded on it. For example, the Nellie the Elephant Tonie plays the classic children’s song about Nellie’s adventures.
Our Experience with Tonies
I first heard about Tonies last year and bought a starter set for my 4 and 6 year old kids for Christmas. The set came with the Creative Toniebox, a charging station, and several Tonies including Nellie the Elephant, Little Red Riding Hood, and Mozart for Little Ears.
From the start, my kids were captivated by the colorful characters and quality audio. The speakers deliver crisp, clear sound and the stories engage their imaginations. The Creative Toniebox also lets them record their own voices and stories – which they love re-listening to.
Over the past several months, we’ve gradually collected more Tonies to cover their evolving interests – everything from Pixar movies to meditations. I appreciate that Tonies keep my kids entertained without tablets or video. They can listen while playing, coloring, or resting. For long car trips, the portable Toniebox has been a lifesaver!
Conclusion
Tonies may seem pricey but cost per hour of use makes them worthwhile. With proper care, they can also be passed down to younger siblings. You can find a great selection of Tonies on locozuna.com. For any parent looking to reduce screen time and inspire creativity, I definitely recommend exploring Tonies!