Toniebox Review and Giveaway

What Is the Toniebox—and Why Are Parents Raving About It?

If you’re looking for a screen-free, stress-free way to keep your kids entertained, the Toniebox is a game-changer. Designed especially for children aged 3 and up, this clever little cube is a soft, durable audio player that makes story time and singalongs as easy as placing a magnetic character on top of the box.

Characters are called Tonies, and each one unlocks a different world of sound—ranging from beloved storybooks and lullabies to educational content, meditation sessions, and even language learning. There are classic fairytales, bedtime stories, Disney favourites, National Geographic animal adventures and so much more— so every child can find something that they’ll love . There are even audiobooks for older kids, so your child can enjoy many years of fun with their Toniebox.

No screens, no complex buttons, and no cords—just intuitive, hands-on fun that helps kids build independence, spark imagination, and develop a love for storytelling. With options like The Gruffalo, Spot, Moana, Peppa Pig, and mindfulness or counting Tonies, there’s truly something to suit every child’s interests and unique personality.

Parents love it for quiet time, car rides, wind-down routines, or simply giving their child a healthy, safe way to explore stories and music without overstimulation.

Built tough, designed smart—the Toniebox is a new kind of magic for modern families.

The Toniebox Review: How 3-Year-Old Ella and Her Family Rate the Toniebox

We invited Cathy and her 3-year-old daughter Ella to put the Toniebox through its paces and share their thoughts with the Mums Lounge community. Here’s what mum had to say:

Setting up the Toniebox honestly couldn’t have been easier. It took us about 10-15 minutes in total, and the instructions were clear and really well-illustrated. Downloading the mytonies app and connecting it to Wi-Fi was straightforward—even with three kids excitedly hovering!

From the moment I opened the box, Ella (3) was completely captivated. She was instantly drawn to the bright, colourful design and couldn’t wait to get her hands on her favourite Tonie character. Even before it was fully set up, she was already playing with the little figures like they were toys.

What really surprised me, though, was how quickly all three of them—Ella, Emilia (5), and Alex (7)—picked up how to use it. After a quick run-through of placing the magnetic Tonie on top, tapping the sides to skip tracks, squeezing the ears for volume, and even tilting the box to rewind or fast forward, they had it worked out. Even Ella, at just three, was confidently using it on her own. The only downside is that without a screen, it can be a little tricky for them to find a specific song—but that’s really not a big deal.

Their favourite part, hands down, is the Tonies characters. It’s like a whole new little world for them every time they swap characters, and I love how the box remembers where they left off—it means they can jump back into a story or song without having to start from the beginning. There’s also something really special about the Creative-Tonie feature. We’ve uploaded their grandparents singing the kids’ bedtime song, and it’s become a beautiful, bedtime ritual they look forward to every night.

The quality of the audio has genuinely impressed me. The narrations are expressive and full of personality, and the music is so well-produced. It actually holds their attention—which is saying a lot, especially for Ella at her age. She loves dancing and singing along, especially when her favourite characters are telling the stories. What’s even better is that Alex and Emilia love it just as much, so it’s something they can all enjoy together.

Content-wise, it’s absolutely spot on. The stories are the right length, easy to follow, and imaginative without being overstimulating. It’s become our go-to for winding down in the evenings—one of those rare things that’s both calming and entertaining. And with three energetic kids, anything that brings calm is gold.

I also really appreciate how sturdy the Toniebox is. With the amount of chaos that comes with three young kids, it’s taken a few tumbles and tug-of-war matches and still works perfectly. The padded design gives me peace of mind, especially when Ella’s carrying it around like a favourite teddy.

It’s been great for travel too. We take it to their grandparents’ house regularly, and it’s always a hit—even with their cousins. The magnetic Tonies stay put (which is helpful in the car), and the battery life holds up really well. Plus, we’ve downloaded audio games from the mytonies app for car rides, so now the kids ask to play “Tonies car games” with their Creative-Tonie. It’s honestly the most peaceful our car trips have ever been!

What I really love, though, is how much it encourages imaginative play and storytelling. Emilia, who’s not quite reading yet, will pretend she’s reading the stories to Ella, and they often act them out together. It’s sparked this lovely kind of creative play that I don’t usually see with screen-based entertainment.

Compared to other options we’ve tried—apps, smart speakers, tablets—the Toniebox feels more intentional. The kids don’t need help to use it, which gives them a real sense of independence. And unlike screens, it invites them to move around, role-play, and engage more actively with the stories. It’s screen-free, but never boring.

As for the price, the Toniebox offers great value—especially with how sturdy and versatile it is. The individual Tonies can add up a bit, but we’ve started gifting them for birthdays and Christmas, and there’s a good amount of free content in the mytonies app too, which helps. Honestly, the joy and calm it’s brought into our home more than makes up for the cost.

Ella uses her Toniebox every single day—whether she’s dancing during the day, listening to a story at bedtime, or just having it on while drawing or having a snack. It’s become a regular and much-loved part of her daily routine, and something her siblings enjoy just as much.

I’d absolutely recommend the Toniebox to other families. It’s fun, safe, educational, and encourages creativity and independence—all without a screen in sight. It’s been such a positive addition to our home, and I love that it’s something the kids can grow with and enjoy together.