This post is about Tonieboxes. My son absolutely loves them.

A Toniebox is a soft, huggable speaker that plays audio content when a small, hand-painted figure called a “Tonie” is placed on top. The Tonies themselves are little collectibles. There are a ton of collectibles, such as Disney characters, Paw Patrol, letters & numbers, and even customizable ones.

Please bear with me as I am still trying to find the best format for my reviews.

The Good

• Screen-Free Entertainment: This is the biggest draw for me. It offers a welcome break from screens while still keeping children entertained and engaged.
• Fosters Imagination: Audio storytelling encourages children to visualize the scenes and characters in their own minds, fostering creativity and imagination.
• Develops Literacy Skills: Exposure to a wide range of stories and language helps build vocabulary and comprehension skills.
• Promotes Independence: Children can easily operate the Toniebox themselves, fostering a sense of autonomy and responsibility.
• Durability: The soft, padded design is surprisingly robust and can withstand the inevitable bumps and drops of childhood.
• Portable Fun: Its compact size and long battery life make it perfect for car rides, travel, and quiet time anywhere in the house.
• Growing Content Library: The ever-expanding range of Tonies ensures there’s always something new to discover.

The Bad

• Initial Cost: The Toniebox starter set and individual Tonies can represent a significant upfront investment.
• Limited Content Per Tonie: Each Tonie holds a specific amount of content, so you’ll need to purchase more as your child’s interests evolve.
• Dependence on the Ecosystem: The Toniebox only works with Tonies, so you’re locked into their system for content.
• Internet Connection Required for Setup and New Tonies: While playback is offline, you’ll need Wi-Fi to set up the Toniebox and load new content onto Tonies.

Should You Get One?

Ultimately, whether a Toniebox is “worth it” depends on your family’s individual needs and budget. Here are a few questions to ask yourself:

• Are you actively seeking screen-free alternatives for your child?
• Does your child enjoy stories and music?
• Are you comfortable with the initial investment and the ongoing cost of Tonies?
• Would the portability and ease of use be beneficial for your family’s lifestyle?

If you answered yes to many of these questions, the Toniebox could be a wonderful addition to your household, providing hours of engaging and imaginative audio entertainment for your little ones

This is an affiliate link. I would receive a commission if you use this.

That being said, I have found them cheaper on Walmart.com. This is not an affiliate link, so I won’t get anything from this, but it is cheaper and that is more important. Most starter sets are cheaper on Walmart. The Tonies all seem to be about the same price, about $20 for one Tonie.

Rating

I rate these a 7/10.

I love the system, and I think it is super cool. It holds my son’s attention, and he enjoys it. I don’t love the price, especially paying $20 for a single Tonie to add onto the collection.

I recommend these if you have a 3+ year old.

Check out my other reviews at Will’s Product Reviews – Honest Product Reviews.