Recently, I’ve been juggling work, chores, and three kids — and keeping them entertained hasn’t always been easy. I’ll admit, I leaned on TV more than I wanted to. The guilt was real. I knew I wanted to be more present during this fleeting, imaginative stage of their lives.
So when my eldest, Sarah, turned five, I set out to find something she’d truly love — something without a screen. I kept coming across glowing reviews for the Toniebox. At first, I assumed it was just another trendy toy, but the more I read, the more I realised it could help us reconnect through stories, creativity and calm moments.
When I saw the new Toniebox 2 and read about its upgraded features — like Tonieplay and Bluetooth headphones — I knew it sounded like something Sarah would absolutely love. So I took the plunge and bought it for her birthday.
Things I Wish I’d Known About The Toniebox 2 & Why It’s the Best Screen-Free Gift
1. It keeps kids entertained without screens
The Toniebox 2 brings stories and songs to life through collectible Tonies — from The Gruffalo and Peppa Pig to Moana and Frozen. Each character unlocks a different world of storytelling or music, all without a single screen.
It’s something they genuinely spend hours with — and research even shows children engage with the Toniebox 148x more than other toys. After seeing mine play with it day after day, I can believe it.
2. More interactive than ever
One of the biggest upgrades is Tonieplay, an exclusive feature for the Toniebox 2 that turns the box into a world of screen-free gaming.
Sarah loves the treasure-hunt quests and trivia challenges she controls with the Tonieplay Controller — it keeps her imagination alive and her focus off screens.
3. Simpler for parents, smarter for families
The Toniebox 2 couldn’t be easier to use. As soon as it was set up, my kids were tapping, tilting and squeezing the ears to change the volume or skip a track. Sarah picked up the Tonieplay Controller straight away.
Parents will appreciate the thoughtful upgrades too:
- USB-C charging (finally, one charger for everything)
- Up to 10 hours of battery life
4. Built to last
Like the first one, the Toniebox 2 is soft, squishy and completely kid-proof. It’s survived being dropped, thrown, and even a small tumble down the stairs — still works perfectly.
5. A toy that actually helps them grow
It’s not just play — it’s development disguised as fun. The Toniebox 2 helps Sarah practise problem-solving and decision-making through Tonieplay adventures, while the little ones build vocabulary and calm themselves through songs and bedtime stories.
It’s creative learning without a tablet in sight.
6. It improves bedtime routines
One of the biggest surprises has been how much it’s helped with bedtime. The calm storytelling Tonies and white-noise options have made winding down so much easier — they now look forward to bedtime stories again.
7. Sing, dance and discover
My younger two, Jack (two-and-a-half) and Lily (one), are obsessed with the musical Tonies — singing along to favourites from The Jungle Book, Frozen, Moana, The Little Mermaid and Maestro. It’s become our go-to for dance breaks and rainy-day fun.
Sarah, on the other hand, adores the speech-based National Geographic series, packed with fascinating facts and adventures that spark her curiosity.
8. Creative Tonies — storytelling made personal
The Creative Tonies are another firm favourite in our house. Each one lets you record up to 90 minutes of your own content — perfect for personalised bedtime stories, Nan’s voice notes, or silly jokes from the kids themselves. It’s such a lovely way to make the Toniebox feel uniquely theirs.
9. A collection you’ll actually want on display
The Tonies themselves are beautifully handcrafted and look fantastic arranged on a bookshelf or dresser. They’ve become part of the kids’ room décor — a colourful little collection of characters that grows with them.
10. Worth every penny
At £94.99 for the box and £14.99 per Tonie, it’s not the cheapest toy — but it’s one of the few that keeps giving. You can also build your own bundle and save up to 18%, which is a great way to start your collection.
When my eldest got hers, her siblings fell in love too, and now new Tonies are the go-to for birthdays and Christmas. It’s a gift that never loses its magic.
Final Thoughts
The Toniebox 2 has brought more calm, creativity and connection into our home. It’s grown with my children and added real value to our everyday life.
We still enjoy our Saturday movie nights, but now our screen-free moments are just as special.
And if you already own the original Toniebox — good news — your existing Tonies work perfectly with the new one.
It’s more than a toy. It’s storytelling, imagination and peace of mind — all in one soft little box.