Toniebox Starter Set Review

Reviewed by Jo Hardy

This is the most amazing thing I have seen in a long time.  When I was asked to review this product I had no idea what to expect.  It was described as “audio fun for children”.  In the box of the starter set there was a light green soft sided cube with two little ears sticking out of the top, a charging unit and a cute little figure dressed in an outfit the same green shade as the cube.

I’ve got to be honest at first sight I did wonder if this was going to be too technical for my limited capabilities but I kept calm and just followed the instructions.  The unit needs a 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi.  On the box it says ready in a few steps.  In past experiences these kind of setups have never been as easy as they are advertised but this one was.  Everything happened just as it should.  There is a web address to go to that gives you step by step instructions and YouTube videos if you’d rather watch the process.  Because I was a bit nervous about getting it wrong I did both.  To make set up easier the cube comes ready charged.

I downloaded the mytonies app onto my iPad and started exploring.  You also need to set up an online Tonie account .
I discovered the little green fella in the starter set is called a creative tonie.  He’s like a blank canvas and can hold 90 mins of whatever content you choose.  There’s lots of free stuff on the app to download and new things are available every month.  The first thing I decided to put onto my creative tonie was the story of little red riding hood.   I managed to load it three times but it was very easy to delete the extra ones.  My favourite feature is being able to record your own things.  My husband and I have both recorded a bedtime story for our grandaughter.  She has just moved into a big bed without a dummy so I think the Toniebox will be a comfort for her.  She has also got into a habit of watching videos in bed which can be too much stimulation before sleep.  I think just listening and using her imagination will make her more relaxed and she will sleep better.

As a child grows and tastes change content can be deleted and new content added to suit.  The Toniebox is very clever but very simple at the same time.  All you have to do to play the content is place the Tonie on top of the box.  It’s magnetic so won’t fall off easily.  To stop playing just remove the Tonie.  The story will continue where you left off next time you replace the Tonie.  The two little ears on the top are used to switch on and adjust the volume.  To restart you turn the box upside down and press the ears.  You can skip between chapter backwards and forwards by tapping the sides or fast forward / rewind by tilting the box.  Switching off is easy just leave it alone.

The Toniebox has to be connect to the internet to download content but does not need a connection to be used so it can be taken on car journeys or visits to other houses.

In addition to the creative tonie you can purchase other tonies that are preloaded and all you have to do with these is place them on top of the box.  There is a wide selection of these available.  They include Disney favourites, Paw Patrol, Peppa Pig.  Some are stories and songs, just stories or just songs.  There is also a range from National Geographic for the older child.

Rating: 5/5

RRP: The Toniebox is available in a choice of six colours.  The starter sets are priced at £69.95 and most of the Tonies are £14.99.

There is currently an offer of 4 for the price of 3 available from tonies.com.