I'm a mum of two and it can be hard to split time in the evenings to read different books to each child - one will always interrupt the other's bedtime story, and of course they can never agree on just one. Thanks to the Toniebox, they LOVE choosing a tonies figure each to settle down with for the night, and I love that tonies figures help them actually agree on one book to read. It's so nice to watch them as they excitedly toddle off to pick their tonies for the night.
I know loads of parents who love the children's Toniebox and all the benefits that it comes with, and the fact that there are also educational Tonies is a huge bonus! In fact, our Mother&Baby Writer and mum Laura says her daughter Ailis, who is 8, now plays a game with the Toniebox and reads the same book as it is playing to see if she can read faster!
"Life with little kids is busy and while we all love cuddling up with a book together, sometimes it just isn't possible," says Laura, "and that is one of the reasons why I (and all the family) love the Toniebox, because my girls can choose their favourite story, or songs, independently when I am busy. It makes them feel grown up being able to control the Toniebox themselves and they love the great variety of characters. It is both calming and entertaining (especially when they dance round to songs) as well as educational and it stops me from feeling guilty as a busy parent, and they even choose it over screentime (sometimes!)"
Now is the best time to buy new figures to fill up those Christmas stockings too, with Black Friday bringing us some amazing discounts... We know they're going to be really popular this year, if last year is anything to go by, so strike while the iron's hot when you see these great deals, they'll be flying off the shelves and you won't want to miss out!
If you don't know what a Tonies is, you're really missing out on a wonderful way for your child to enjoy some screen free time, whilst learning, listening to stories and music. Once you have a Toniebox, all you need are some Tonies figures that you know your child will enjoy, and they can put them on top of the box and listen to the figure.
All Tonies figures are easy for children to hold and they can even play with them! The educational Tonies figures are especially great because not only is your child learning valuable information through play, but they are also screen free and there are so many different topics such as National Geographic Tonies, Horrible Histories Tonies and even songs to encourage learning to count. Here are some of our favourites.
Best for learning about daily routines
Image: Toniestonies.com
Little ears will love Leo the Leopard’s musical guide to some of our most important daily routines. Covering everything from tooth brushing to school journeys, Leo makes routines clear, accessible, and even fun.
Best for counting
Image: Toniestonies.com
Everyone knows that the best way to learn anything is by singing it. That’s why you’ll love our new Counting Songs Tonie and all 23 of these hip-wiggling, finger counting, toe-tapping songs designed to make learning fun. Just pop this oh-so-clever Tonie on your Toniebox and your little Einsteins will be counting to 20 in five different languages in 3, 2, 1…
Best for learning about classical music
Image: ToniesPresented by Daniel Hope as Ludwig van Beethoven and performed by the Frankfurt Radio Symphony Orchestra, Beethoven for Kids is a wonderful introduction to the work of this master musician. Taken on a musical tour through nature by the great composer himself, young listeners will be enchanted by birdsong, murmuring brooks and even rumbling thunderstorms.
Best for learning about culture and diversity
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Image: Toniestonies.com
CJ is eight years old and loves to learn and always has so many questions to ask! With the Black British Tales figure, your little one can join her as she explores topics on culture, difference, acceptance and respect through eight different stories.
Best for learning about wildlife
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Image: Toniestonies.com
March this way to find out all there is to know about these flightless birds with this new addition National Geographic Penguin Tonie.
Best for learning about the Romans
Image: Tonieswww.johnlewis.com
Horrible Histories has always ben a classic way for children to learn about the past. With the Horrible Histories Rotten Romans Tonie Audio Character, they can learn all about the beastly battles, gruesome gods and ever deadly doctors.
Best for learning about space
Image: ToniesWith the National Geographic Astronaut, children can learn about the Solar System, space missions and so much more about the galaxy. There are seven stories in total for them to learn the wonders of the galaxy, and it covers a very interesting topic about aliens.
Best Tonie for learning about wellbeing and health
Image: Toniestonies.com
With 21 musical songs, children aged three and over can learn some Healthy Habits. From mindfulness, to healthy eating, getting your body moving and the benefits of being outside, it's a fun way to learn about good habits with this lovely hippo Tonies figure.
9.
Yakka Dee
Best for educational quizzes
Image: Toniestonies.com
Dee likes to talk - so much so, they call her Yakka Dee. Little chatterboxes will love learning about lots of lovely words with this CBeebies favourite, featuring games, quizzes and music.
Best for learning about the ocean
Image: Toniestonies.com
Prepare for a whale of a time as you dive deep into a big learning adventure under the sea!
On your aquatic quest you’ll discover the ocean's largest and most majestic mammals, meeting humpback, blue and beluga whales, while learning all kinds of fascinating facts along the way.
Best for learning about the Tudors
Image: Toniestonies.com
Walk in the footsteps of the Terrible Tudors with this terrifically terrifying Tonie – if you’re brave enough! Discover all the facts they don’t teach you at school, from the horrifying Henries to Tudor torture and more.
Best Dinosaur tonie
Image: Toniestonies.com
If your child is dinosaur mad, then they will absolutely love the National Geographic Dinosaur. Suitable for ages of five years old and older, they can go on one of the greatest prehistoric journeys. There are seven titles, and they are heavily speech-based with fascinating information.
13.
Blippi
Best fact-filled tonie
toniestonies.com
Blippi and his friend Meekah love collecting fascinating facts, and this Tonie is full of them. Your little one will love listening to Blippi visit lots of fun places including farms, a pirate ship and even the outback. With music and facts this will be great entertainment for any Blippi fan.
Pros
| Suitable for: | 3 years + |
| Playtime: | 65 minutes |
- Suitable for 3 years +
- Hand painted
- Full of facts and stories
- Great for Blippi fans
Best tonie for maths
Toniestonies.com
We love this pocket tonie for any little budding mathematicians in your house. It is packed full of exciting puzzles, games and songs to keep your little one entertained. Plus it demonstrates how maths can be used everyday in day-to-day life. Not only is it fun but it will really support children with their numbers and help them grow a love of maths by teaching them in fun and interesting ways.
Pros
| Age: | 5 year + |
| Running time: | 44 minutes |
- Puzzles, games and songs
- Suitable from 5+
- Part of the stack 'em and collect 'em pocket tonies
- Interesting ways to develop maths skills
15.
Alphablocks
Best tonie bundle for phonics
Toniestonies.com
This is brilliant for all Alphablocks fans and any little ones learning their phonics. With a bundle of four pocket tonies, they include stories and songs to help little ones develop their learning of phonics sounds. Plus with four in the set there is one for bedtime, one for rhymes, one about animals and one about vehicles, so there really is something for everyone.
Pros
| Age: | 3+ |
| Running time: | 25 minutes per tonie |
- Set of four tonies
- Songs and stories
- Different themes including animals, vehicles, bedtime and rhymes
16.
Numberblocks
Best tonie bundle for numbers and counting
Toniestonies.com
The Numberblocks tonie is perfect for helping little learners develop their maths skills. With fun songs and stories they will help your little one understand how numbers really work. Perfect from age 3 years plus, each tonie has 25 minutes of learning and entertainment to enjoy. Plus we love how these are magnetic and as pocket tonies you can collect them and stack them. In this set of four, each tonie has a theme including, Hexagon Island, Space, Vehicles and Monster Friends.
| Age: | 3+ |
| Running time: | 25 minutes per tonie |
- Ideal to help develop maths skills
- Includes songs and stories
- Set of 4
- Collect them and stack them
FAQ: Toniebox
Do Tonies ever go on sale?
Yes, you can enjoy some great discounts on Tonies products during the Black Friday sales season.
Is a Toniebox worth it?
Some people might think this audiotbox is a bit on the pricey side, but there are so many fun elements and benefits, that most parents love them and think they're a great investment. Kids love them too! Parents on the Mother & Baby team love to rave about this product, that's for sure!
What are the benefits of the educational Tonies?
Children love their Tonies figures because they are in control of what they listen to. With an educational Tonies figure, little one's can choose what they are listening to and don't necessarily realise that they are learning from them, as they have fun playing with the figures on the box.
What age is Tonies suitable for?
Tonies are designed for children ages 3 and up. The Toniebox is a screen-free audio system that's ideal for independent play, with controls that are easy for children to use.
Samantha Ball is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby and freelanced for the website for two years before joining the team full time. She's a mum of two and loves browsing for the best products and cute outfits.