Best toy phones to keep your own mobile safe from your toddler!


by Adejumoke Ilori |
Updated on

You've probably noticed your little one trying to have a conversation with you on the phone, and saying words like "ring ring", mama, dada", "hello" and even "bye bye", right? This is why toy phones offer numerous benefits for children, making them a valuable tool for both play and development.

They boost imaginative role-play, allowing kids to develop social and communication skills. Many toy phones are interactive, featuring sounds, lights, and buttons that stimulate sensory development and fine motor skills. Additionally, they introduce basic concepts like numbers, letters, and problem-solving through engaging, playful learning.

Best at a glance:

Toy phones are also fun for kids because they offer endless opportunities for imaginative play and exploration. With bright colors, fun sounds, and interactive buttons, toy phones capture a child’s attention and allow them to mimic the grown-up world in their own creative way. Kids love pretending to make calls, send messages, and explore the different features, which gives them a sense of independence and excitement. These toys turn everyday activities into engaging, playful experiences, sparking curiosity and allowing kids to invent their own stories and adventures.

The best overall

Peppa Pig toy phone John Lewis

Peppa's Flip and Learn Phone from John Lewis is fun for kids because it combines the charm of the beloved Peppa Pig character with interactive, educational features. The flip-open design also mimics a real phone, giving children a sense of independence and excitement. With buttons to press, fun sound effects, and familiar voices from Peppa’s world, kids can engage in imaginative role-play, pretending to make calls and learn numbers. The playful learning aspect, paired with Peppa’s cheerful personality, makes this toy phone both entertaining and educational, sparking curiosity and creativity in young children. Purchased for her granddaughter, one grandparent said: "i bough this for my 2-year-old granddaughter, and absolutely she loves it! It is also perfect for in car entertainment, very well made, loud enough and not annoying!"

Pros

  • Builds communication skills
  • Encourages concentration and attention
  • Helps with colour and number recognition

Cons

  • One review said the Peppa pig phone is not for little hands

Best for Barbie fans

Barbie Unicorn Play Phone Set with Lights and SoundsAmazon
Price: £18.65
Alternative retailers
Walmart$22.68View offer

The Barbie Unicorn Play Phone Set from Amazon is fun for kids because it combines the magic of unicorns with the glamor of Barbie, offering an imaginative play experience. The set includes a colorful, unicorn-themed phone along with accessories like pretend makeup, adding layers of creativity and role-play possibilities. Kids can enjoy mimicking real-life phone calls while also engaging in fantasy scenarios, thanks to the unicorn theme, with one happy mum saying: "My toddler loves playing with her phone and credit cards!". The vibrant colors, sparkly design, and interactive elements like buttons and sound effects make this play phone set exciting, allowing children to explore both technology and imaginative play in a fun, magical way.

Pros

  • Set includes: a mobile phone, a phone case, two Barbie credit cards and a removable bracelet
  • The mobile phone has lights and sounds
  • The phone case comes with a credit credit card compartment delivered by credit PA20232023Press the button to activate bright lights, phone sounds and amazing Barbie phrases
  • Suitable for Age 3+

Cons

  • Requires 3 x AG13 batteries

Best wooden toy phone

Wooden toy toy Amazon
Price: £17.99

The Janod Wooden Sound Telephone is fun for kids because it combines the tactile enjoyment of a classic wooden toy with engaging sound effects. "I got this for my 18-month-old, as a Christmas and quickly, it became his new best friend! The buttons feel like soft silicone, and it has lovely realistic sounds when pressed.", said one mum. With its retro-inspired design, kids can pretend to make real phone calls, complete with ringing and dialing sounds that bring their imaginative play to life. The chunky buttons and rotary dial are easy for little hands to use, adding a sense of excitement as they engage in role-play scenarios. The sturdy wooden construction also makes it satisfying to hold and use, turning everyday pretend conversations into fun, interactive experiences.

Pros

  • A beech wood phone
  • Features 7 large soft plastic sound keys, easy to handle: home, email, alarm clock, ringtone, camera, settings and SMS
  • Has a removable silicone protective case
  • Aimed at children from 18 months to 3 years old
  • The batteries can be taken out and changed

Cons

  • Needs 3 LR44 batteries

The best musical toy phone

Baby Einstein Ocean Explorers Shell Phone Musical ToyJohn Lewis
Price: £8.49
https://redirect.viglink.com?key=eb32892e8a408657289072c26bd927b5&prodOvrd=PCR&opt=false&u=DRZHQksDHUpPFkMeT1dZWlNKTR5UXQ4dXxJLe1NVG0gnWlxLTVcMVkx7U11XWxp3QElcWEAGQEVPN1FXWw5IMltdVlwfKE0SXVNZWhhjXUEUZFJeBkJeDQpcH3YFABEeBBV0XQtMCUcdbVhcRFdAFgEDBlYGAltTDwc%3D&x=v1

Perfect for 3 month olds and upwards, this colourful seashell phone, introduces young children to a variety of fun, stimulating tunes that capture their attention. The interactive buttons allow kids to explore different sounds, melodies, and lights, making playtime an exciting and sensory-rich experience. The ocean explorer theme adds an element of adventure, sparking imagination as kids "call" sea creatures or explore underwater worlds through music. Recieved as a present, one parent said: "This was given as a small gift to an 18mth old who swooped on it with delight when she heard the music. She assumed it was a real phone and put it to her ear, shouting a string of "hello’s". Now that she is reliably informed, she sings and dances to the music at least once a day. It's a great success."

Pros

  • Can press a button to play melodies
  • Listen to ocean sounds
  • Your little one can learn names of colours in three languages – English, French, and Spanish
  • Encourages self-discovery
  • Lights up to the beat 
  • Perfect for ittle hands

Cons

  • Needs 3 LR44 batteries

The best Hey Duggee Flip phone

Hey Duggee Flip and Learn PhoneArgos

The Hey Duggee Flip and Learn Phone is amazing because it brings the beloved Duggee character to life in a fun and interactive way. Designed for 18 months and over, it features engaging buttons and sounds that mimic real phone interactions, making role-play enjoyable and educational. The flip-open design adds an element of surprise and excitement, while familiar voices and sound effects from the Hey Duggee TV show enhance the experience. One customer who got the hery Duggee flip and learn phone for both of her boys, said: “Both my 2-year-old and 4-year-old absolutely adore this toy, they love when the phone makes noises and hey Duggee’s quotes, as well as pretending they are on the phone.”

Pros

  • For ages 18 months and over
  • Has a light up screen
  • Great for colour and number recognition
  • Boosts fine motor skills

Cons

  • batteries are required: 2 x AAA (but included)

The best for teething babies

Bambebe Baby PhoneAmazon

The Bambebe Baby Phone Toys is great for teething babies, designed with soft, and chewable materials that soothe sore gums. The toy eatures various textures and shapes that provide gentle relief during teething while also stimulating sensory exploration. Also, the bright colors and engaging sounds or lights, help to keep your baby entertained and distracted from teething discomfort. Its lightweight, easy-to-grasp design allows little hands to hold and maneuver it comfortably, making it both a functional teething aid and an engaging toy. One parent, who loved this for her teething baby said: "I recently bought this phone toy for my little one, and let me tell you, it's been a hit! Not only is it adorable and colourful, but the materials are safe and durable, perfect for my teething baby. The detachable unicorn teether is a nice touch, and I love that it's easy to clean. The educational features are engaging, and my baby seems to be learning while having fun."

Pros

  • The baby teething mobile phone toy case is made of non-toxic and wear-resistant silicone
  • Has numbers 0 to 9, songs, lullabies, and different sound effects of vehicles, A
  • Animals sounds
  • Camera shutters
  • Features realistic dialing sound effects
  • Built for little hands 
  • Two-level volume control
  • Make a great gift for babies aged 6 months to 1 year olds
  • Lightweight
  • Great for teething babies

Cons

  • One review said the only downside is having to buy batteries

The best vintage toy phone

Le Toy Van - Vintage Wooden Toy PhoneAmazon

The Le Toy Van Vintage Wooden Toy Phone is great for kids because it combines classic, high-quality craftsmanship with engaging, interactive features. Made from durable, child-safe wood, this toy is built to last and withstand rough play. Its vintage design appeals to both children and parents, adding a touch of nostalgia to playtime. The phone features easy-to-use rotary dial and realistic ringing sounds. One buyer who complimented the materials used said: "I love these Le Toy Van products because they are old fashioned, made of wood and contain no plastic. This telephone, with its lovely bright red colour is a great gift for any youngster. There a little bell that rings, the old fashioned dialer I remember from my youth, before all these touch phones came in. Youngsters can play with this, without worrying about plastics or getting splinters from the wood. It all very well made and put together. This one if going to my sister's grandchild, who parents are very "Eco" and want to avoid plastic and other substances."

Pros

  • Wooden toy phone 
  • Features a bell within the handset 
  • Realistic spinning wheel
  • Encourages creative imagination
  • Boosts strong creative thinking and imaginative playing skills
  • Made with non-toxic paints 
  • Suitable for 24 months - 10 years

Cons

  • One review said the cord is just a bit too short

The best for design

TOYANDONA Children's Wooden Phone ToyAmazon

The TOYANDONA Children's Wooden Phone Toy is fun because it combines traditional play with interactive elements. Its classic rotary dial and realistic ringing sounds allow kids to engage in imaginative role-play, pretending to make calls and explore communication in a playful way. The vibrant colors and tactile wooden design capture children’s attention, making it engaging and enjoyable. It is also suitable for 12-month-olds due to its child-friendly design and features. At this age, children are developing their fine motor skills, and the toy's rotary dial and buttons are easy for little hands to grasp and manipulate, making it perfect for your little one.

Pros

  • Helps with cognitive skills
  • Made of high quality wood material
  • Durable
  • Boosts parent-child interaction 
  • An educational toy
  • Suitable for 12 months and up

Cons

  • Only 14 left in stock

Remember, toy phones are a fantastic object for both fun and learning, offering children a safe and interactive way to engage in imaginative play.

They help develop essential skills like communication, fine motor coordination, and problem-solving, all while sparking creativity.

For parents, toy phones also give you peace of mind, keeping kids entertained without the need for real technology. Their durable design and educational features make them a perfect choice for introducing early development and joyful, screen-free play.

Adejumoke Ilori is a Commercial Content Writer for Mother&Baby. She is a mum to a little girl and has worked for various digital platform. She has produced content that empowers women from all walks of life by sharing real life stories based on relationships, loving yourself and motherhood. She has also worked for OK! and New Magazine, writing product reviews, covering fashion and beauty, the latest celebrity news and lifestyle. Adejumoke enjoys spending quality time at home with her daughter creating precious memories – doing things like spa nights and grabbing popcorn and cuddling up.

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