The Toniebox has arrived in the USA and it is already reading up a storm! In a nutshell, The Toniebox Imaginative Fun Toy: Must-Have Educational Toy of the Year. Because, stories now come to life as imaginative, interactive play without screen time. That is a big win in our book! Definitvely, it is time to enhance storytime with the Toniebox! It is a toy everyone in the family will love.
This is a sponsored post. All opinions shared are 100% my own.
The Toniebox Imaginative Fun
When I first discovered the Toniebox at the Holiday of Play event, I thought it was a cute toy. Now, I know it is a must-have for every family. As adorable as it is, it is a little box of wonders that truly fosters creativity. The kids loved being able to record their own invented stories and their own hit songs. The Toniebox encourages children to become involved in the creative world of storytelling with no screen needed. The Toniebox is recommended for kids 3 and up. Since we have tested and done our play research several times already, I have a play by play of it for you. Here is what you need to know about the Toniebox:
What is a Toniebox, again?
So, think of the Toniebox as a squared audio system for kids. Basically, what you get is a light but robust cushy speaker looking device. But, it is way cooler. And, it works by placing a figurine on top of the box. Magnetically, the figurine connects to the box. We will call the figure, The Tonie. Each Tonie acts like a CD. That means that each Tonie has different stories and music. When the Tonie connects to the Toniebox, the kids get to control the listening adventures!
More about The Tonie
To start, there are two kinds of Tonies. One, is the Tonie. This one comes loaded with pre-recorded stories in it. Some collectible Tonies include Woody (Toy Story), Elsa (Frozen), Ariel (The Little Mermaid), Aladdin, a pirate, Lightning McQueen (Cars), Simba (The Lion King), and a Minion to mention a few. The other one is the Creative Tonie which comes blank. That means, that you can record on it anything you want for up to 90 minutes. Yes, you can also upload stories you might own on your computer. Not to worry, it is quite simple to use. Oh and the Tonies are handpainted :[)
Using the Toniebox – How to use the Toniebox (controls)
The set up will need Wi-Fi. Once charged, you can use it for seven-hour uninterrupted! On the top, the Toniebox has a pair of rubbery triangles that look like pointy ears that control the volume. If, you want to move forward tap to box on the left. Or, on the right to go backward. As soon as the story is done, the box turns off. A great feature if you leave music or a bedtime story on to help the littles go to sleep.
The Tonie App
Both the Tonies and the Toniebox can be managed from the app. As I shared before, the app allows you to load recordings to your Creative Tonie. It also helps you control the volume of it. You can also manage the control settings to help your child, out. Our favorite feature is that the app you can add others to it. So, say, for example, grandma on the other side of the country can log in and record a message for the kids. She can also record their favorite story!
What we love about the Toniebox
Overall, the kids got a big kick out of listening to their recordings and the sounds they put together in the Creative Tonie. At first, I had some issues with the app set up. But, their customer service was quick to send us off to storyland. What I love most is that it brings families together when those far record the kids’ favorite story. Additionally, its rechargeable battery makes it a perfect companion on our road trips. While the Toniebox was created to give kids independent creative play, you can use it as an educational tool. For example, teachers are using it to develop children’s memory skills. Besides the fact that the creative Tonies are adorable and the others in the Tonie bunch are super fun, we also love:
- That it is easy to use
- Kids quickly learn how to play with it
- It fosters independent play
- Easy for small hands to operate and handle
- Stimulates imagination
- Stories help develop listening skills
- Tonies, like The Gruffalo, are exactly as described in the book. Perfect to help build literacy skills when comparing the spoken word to the real world.
- Parents have control of the content
Additional Uses
So besides creating hours of screen-free imaginative fun, we have found alternate uses for the Toniebox. Say what? Yes, we have gone beyond storytelling.
- Learn a language.
- Soothe anxiety by recording wave sounds.
- Use it to remind the kids to go brush their teeth using the app.
There is no end to the stories the kids will create. And, just like their imaginations, the possibilities of the Toniebox are limitless! So, get yours now and take advantage of the best pricing you will get this year on one!
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