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Today we’re back with another toy review and this time it’s a Toniebox review. You might have seen these story box devices all over social media but how do Tonieboxes work and are they suitable for toddlers? A lot of the Toniebox reviews I’ve read are aimed at older kids so I thought a toddler-specific Toniebox review might be useful to share as I try it out with my 2-year-old son Jude in case you’re looking for a toniebox for a two or three-year-old.
What is a Toniebox?
A Toniebox is a really clever storytelling device that comprises of two parts: the first is a stylish looking cube and the second are the tonies themselves: ingenious magnetic figurines that you simply place on top of the box and, just like magic, they start telling a story or burst into song.
These figures are purchased separately and are a great way of keeping things fresh-if your child starts to know all of the stories off by heart in their Toniebox, then just upgrade it by buying a different figure. The figures are all classic household names (in toddler world): there’s everything from The Gruffalo to Room on The Broom and Peppa Pig. With each Tonie, you tend to get around a 20-40 minutes of stories and songs too.
Unlike most gadgets these days, there are no flashing lights, screens, or loads of buttons to press: simply shake the box to skip a track and use its ‘ears’ to increase the volume. I really loved this as it meant my two-year-old could focus on the story itself rather than being distracted by lots of buttons. In a world of so many gadgets and toys with flashing lights, how lovely that this device is so simple! You can also record your own stories and messages on the creative tonie that comes with the box via the Toniebox app.
How does Toniebox compare to Leapfrog Leapstory?
We previously had a Leapfrog Leapstory so I thought it might be useful to compare the two. The Leapfrog is all built on the machine so there are no additional attachments (although you can then buy online additional stories).
It has quite a few buttons and a lovely nightlight projector but I felt both me and my toddler enjoyed the stories from the Toniebox much more-the fact they’re familiar stories that he recognizes but they’re also just much more engaging to listen to.
He also really loved the figurine element of the Toniebox and we used them for imaginative play as well as starting a story; they’re a great way for slightly older children to take ownership of which story they’d like to listen to by simply selecting the figurine. With the Leapfrog, my son would end up just pressing lots of buttons.
The only downside is the Leapfrog does come in cheaper (especially when you factor in the price of additional tonies you’ll end up buying-I’ve already got my eye on two more as we speak!) but I feel it wouldn’t grow with your child as much and per year use means there’s probably not much in it.
Is it worth buying a Toniebox for a two year old?
So is it worth buying a Toniebox when they’re young or saving it for a little longer? I would say it’s definitely worth it. My son absolutely loved the figures and putting them on the machine; as he has speech delay him selecting the figures is his way of choosing the story which is a lot easier for him to navigate than buttons. It feels great that he can operate it himself and I know when he gets just a little older it will be amazing for things like car journeys.
Jude’s not at the stage where he listens for a whole story but they are keeping his attention for longer and longer. Because you can just keep adding to it and it feels really well made and super sturdy, I feel like it’s something he will keep for many years to come and keep adding stories to it as we purchase more figures.
We’ve been really impressed with our Toniebox-there just doesn’t seem to be anything else like it on the market and would really recommend one. You can buy one on Amazon here.
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