What is a Toniebox (and is it good for road trips with toddlers)? [Updated for 2024]
There are so many devices out there to entertain kids in the car. It is incredibly hard, as a parent, to choose “wise investments” of both our money and our kids’ time. Enter the Toniebox. What is a Toniebox, you ask?
It is a road trip game changer. We were late to the Toniebox game; don’t be us! The Toniebox is perfect for road trips with toddlers and the best Tonies characters are long enough to get you to the beach.
We hope to provide you with every detail you could ever need to know about Tonieboxes to help you decide if they are good travel companions for your family!
Truthfully, we would not go on another road trip without ours. Our 5-year-old and 3-year-old absolutely love theirs, but every kid is different.
What is a Toniebox?
Simply put, a Toniebox is a speaker that plays audio for kids and does not require an adult in order to be used. Tonieboxes are story boxes that use tonies characters to play stories, nursery rhymes, and songs in an audio format (no picture/visual/video) that are related to the Tonie character chosen.
Think of it like a cd player and a cd. To play the cd, you insert it into the cd player and then you can adjust the volume, skip songs, etc.
The Tonies story box has the same features (volume control, rewind, fast forward) but it uses a magnetic character that sits on top of the box instead of being inserted.
Genius, is what it is.
How do Toniebox stories work?
We like lists, so here is a step by step list of how your little one would listen to Toniebox stories (assuming the Toniebox has been setup and is charged):
➡ Choose one of the Toniebox figures and place it on top of the Toniebox. It will begin to play automatically. Take the character off to pause the story. Change Tonies characters to change stories completely.
➡ Use the “ears” on the Toniebox to turn the volume up (larger ear) or down (smaller ear).
➡ To rewind, tilt the Toniebox to the left (if looking at the front of it). To fast forward, tilt it to the right.
➡ To go back to the previous track/chapter/story, hit the left side of the Toniebox (if looking at the front of it). Skip to the next track/chapter/story by hitting the right side.
Although it is a screen free toy, parents can view creative Tonie content, Tonies chapters, etc. on the Tonies app.
What age is the Toniebox for?
Tonies says these story boxes are designed for ages 3-7. The content for many of the Tonies is appropriate for ages younger than 3, but some of the Tonies characters have small accents that could potentially be harmful if not used correctly.
The Toniebox controls are also difficult for children under the age of 3 to understand, but they can be turned off completely if you only want your child to listen to the Toniebox figures’ tracks in order.
For our younger children, we really love the Toniebox characters that play nap time noise, nature sounds, etc. We have even used these during nap time at home.
If you choose to allow a child younger than three to use a Tonies story box, please note that this goes against the manufacturer’s recommendation and use appropriate supervision.
Things we love about the Tonieboxes
- Reviews! Toniebox reviews tell you all you need to know. They have thousands of ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ reviews! Most notably, a majority of the Toniebox reviews include a comment about how this device has reduced other screen time activities in the home.
- The Toniebox is padded! The actual “box” is located within a colored, padded case. It makes the Toniebox softer and more snuggly for younger kids, while also keeping it protected.
- There is a very diverse selection of Toniebox figures. Some of the best Tonies we own are actually the nonfiction Tonies characters.
- It travels SO well! The Toniebox is the perfect travel companion for a short trip to the grocery store or a long trip to the beach. It packs easily and adds some easy entertainment for your little ones!
- It comes in six colors: gray, green, pink, purple, blue, and red.
Toniebox Setup
If you are new to Toniebox or just curious about how much setup work is entailed, check out the answers to the most frequently asked Toniebox setup questions.
How do you setup a Toniebox?
Very easily! The Toniebox setup is very simple and takes about 15-20 minutes.
➡ Please note: we highly recommend completing the Toniebox setup before allowing your child to open it if it is being given as a gift. The setup process is not as simple when you have an anxious child waiting on you!
To start the setup, download the “mytonies” app onto your phone. Create a new account and then select the “+” symbol next to “Toniebox.” From there, select “Start Setup Process” and proceed through the guided steps.
There is an alternative to the app if you need a different way to setup your new Tonies. Go to their website, create an account, and begin the setup process that way!
FYI: There has been some confusion about the setup process from some users in the past, according to some of the Toniebox reviews. One of the most common solutions to Toniebox setup problems has been to set up the Toniebox through a hotspot connection.
How to connect Toniebox to hotspot: create a hotspot on your phone, use your laptop to connect to that hotspot as you would any wi-fi connection, and then setup the Toniebox on your laptop by visiting their website.
How do I charge my Toniebox?
With a Toniebox charger, of course! The Toniebox comes with a small, round charging base. To charge, simply place the Toniebox directly on top of the Toniebox charger disc.
How do you know if the Toniebox is charging? Well, Once it is connected to the Toniebox charger, the LED light on the top of the Toniebox will light up to let you know it has connected. However, this light does automatically turn off during the charging process. Don’t worry-it is still charging!
How long does Toniebox take to fully charge? It take about 3 hours to charge a completely drained Toniebox. You will know your Toniebox battery is getting low because the LED light on top of the box will turn solid orange. Once completely drained it will turn red.
How long does Tonies battery last? The Toniebox battery lasts about 7 hours and is rechargeable! The volume level greatly impacts the battery life. The louder the volume, the less battery hours remaining.
Can you play Tonies while charging? Yes! You can even listen to your favorite Tonie while your Toniebox charges, though it may increase the time it takes to fully charge.
Can Tonies work without wifi? Do you need Internet for Tonies to work?
Yes, the Toniebox works without Wifi, and no, you do not need internet! The Toniebox has a huge memory base that stores all of the stories from the best Tonies characters.
The Toniebox can play any character from memory on battery charge alone (as long as the Toniebox figures have been downloaded through Wifi before traveling).
Please note: Wifi is required if downloading new Tonies to your Toniebox. Once downloaded, the characters are stored forever!
Toniebox Characters
The Toniebox figures that resemble famous characters are referred to as “Tonies.” Toniebox is constantly coming up with new Tonies, especially around the holidays.
Toniebox characters include popular story characters like the Gruffalo, Curious George and Llama Llama. Disney characters, popular tv show characters like Peppa Pig & Paw Patrol, and nonfiction topics like dinosaurs and animals are also included in the Tonies characters.
The best Tonie characters are those that represent your child’s interests. Choosing topics/characters your child is already interested in will make the Toniebox so much more entertaining!
How to download Tonie to Toniebox
The Tonies characters are small figurines about 3″ tall (depending on the character). Each of the Tonies has a magnet in the base of it that allows it to attach to the top of the Toniebox (also magnetic).
Note: The Tonies do not fall off easily so it is fine for your child to tilt the box while listening.
This is how you download a Tonie to your Toniebox! It’s really so simple.
Once connected to Wi-fi, place a new Tonie on top of your Toniebox. The LED light on top of the Toniebox will begin blinking blue. Once your Tonie has fully downloaded, the light will switch to solid green and the Toniebox will chime to let you know it is finished.
Any downloaded Toniestays in your Toniebox until you decide to remove it, even without a Wi-fi connection.
How long does it take to download a Tonie?
Each Tonie’s download speed will vary based on the length of content on the Tonie. Your wi-fi speed and your proximity to the router can also impact download speed. Most of our Tonies have taken between 5-20 minutes to download.
➡ Please note: we highly recommend downloading at least one Tonie before giving as a gift so that your child is ready to listen as soon as it is opened.
How many Tonies can you store in a Toniebox memory?
There are no limits on how many Tonies you can store in a Toniebox. The Toniebox website says each Toniebox can hold over 200 Tonies so there really are no memory issues!
How long does each Tonie last?
Each of the Toniebox figures will vary in length. The range will depend on the content loaded onto the Tonie. The shortest Tonie we have owned is around 15 minutes long but the longest one we have found is around 2 1/2 hours long.
In general, Disney Tonies are about 30-45 minutes long. Some of our favorite Disney Tonies are Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story (27 minutes), Finding Nemo (31 minutes), and Winnie the Pooh (32 minutes).
Musical Tonies usually last about 40-50 minutes, but nap time musical Tonies can last much longer. The nap time Tonie listed below lasts for 120 minutes and is perfect for a long afternoon nap.
If you want the most bang for your buck, some of the longest Tonies characters are Paddington Bear (155 minutes), Eloise (120 minutes) and Shrek (92 minutes).
Educational Toniebox Figures
While all Tonies characters are providing some educational value through listening comprehension, the best Tonies have some extra educational content added.
The Word Party Tonies focus on math and literacy. Lulu the panda teaches problem-solving, counting, and daily routines.
Kip from Word Party focus on the alphabet, words, and daily routines. National Geographic also offers a variety of nonfiction animal readers with interesting history and facts about each animal.
Tonies characters that play music
One of the best ways to get your younger “readers” interested in a Toniebox is to invest in the Tonies characters that play popular children’s songs rather than stories.
These short songs will hold the attention spans of younger listeners much longer! Most Tonies characters that play songs will contain 10-15 songs that last around 45 minutes.
Not sure which Tonies to purchase? Check out a Toniebox starter set instead!
The starter set includes the Toniebox (in your choice of color), all included accessories, the playtime puppy, and a variety of Tonies. The Tonies website allows you to customize your starter set with 3, 5, or 7 Tonies.
The Amazon bundle features The Lion King, Winnie The Pooh, Toy Story, and Cars.
The Creative Tonie : One of the BEST Tonies for Travel
The “creative Tonie” is a human-looking Tonie that comes with every Tonie box and allows you to do some really neat things through the Tonies app. Read on for fun ways you can use your creative Tonie!
Does the Toniebox come with a creative Tonie?
Yes! Every Toniebox comes with a creative Tonie. You can also purchase additional/different creative Tonies if you want to choose features that more closely resemble your child (e.g. blonde hair, girl/boy, etc.).
What is the difference between creative Tonie and Tonie? A creative Tonie is customizable through the Tonies app. Regular Tonies can not be edited in any way and can only play what is prerecorded onto them.
How do creative Tonies work? Creative Tonies allow you to be, well, creative!
What can you do with a creative Tonie? The creative Tonie comes with some free content pre-loaded for you to use. You (or your child) can also create original content for creative Tonie. Using the mytonies app, you can record onto creative Tonie.
For example, grandma or a favorite aunt or a parent could read a story and record their read aloud onto creative Tonie. Then, your child would use the creative Tonie just as they would any other Tonie and your read aloud would be one of the “tracks” on the creative Tonie.
Children can also record their own made up stories onto creative Tonie and then play them back as tracks. This makes the creative Tonie one of the best Tonies for travel because it can change during the trip!
How do you get creative Tonie to play? Can you skip songs on creative-Tonie? Creative Tonie plays just like any other Tonie. Simply place it on top of the Toniebox and it will begin to play. Remove it and it will pause. Use the same controls described above to fast forward, rewind, and skip.
What is the limit on creative Tonie? You can record up to 90 minutes of creative content onto creative Tonie.
There is free content for creative Tonies! Within your mytonies app, there is a “Free for me” section that allows you to download free content to your creative Tonie. The free content includes a variety of stories and songs!
Toniebox Accessories
As with any electronic device, there are a variety of accessories that have been made to make traveling with a Toniebox easier. Our three favorites are the Toniebox case, the Toniebox storage bag, and the Toniebox headphones.
Toniebox Case
The Toniebox case is not necessary to keep the Toniebox secure; the padded cover on the actual box does a great job of that. However, a Toniebox case does add a convenient carrying handle and secure straps for transporting Tonies!
This is the authentic Toniebox case made by the Tonies company! It features storage space for the Toniebox, charger, headphones, and up to 6 Tonies. It also zips and has two carrying handles!
This case comes in three designs: fairy, monster (pictured) and yeti.
This case is perfect for the Toniebox and its accessories. It features covers for the ears and an open top to allow for Tonies to be played. The bottom flap also opens so that the Toniebox can be charged without being taken out of the case.
The side elastic bands can hold up to 6 of your best Tonies and the mesh pocket is the perfect size for the charger. This is the smallest Toniebox case option.
Toniebox Storage Bag
In addition to the Toniebox case, there is also a Toniebox storage bag that provides some additional storage space. These bags are great for longer road trips where lots of Tonies might need to travel with you.
This storage bag provides enough space for the Toniebox, headphones, the charger, and up to 10 Tonies. It also zips to keep all of its contents secured.
The bag comes in two colors, blue and pink, and has a built in carrying strap.
Toniebox Headphones
Guys. We started our Toniebox journey without headphones and I am here to tell you that I do not recommend it. Get some headphones!! I love listening to Paw Patrol stories as much as the next mom but I also the radio. Oh, and silence. I love that too.
Tonies headphones are the official headphones for the Toniebox. They come in the same 6 colors that are offered for the Tonieboxes so that the headphones can match.
The headphones are foldable and come with a Buddyjack splitter so that multiple listeners can share the same Toniebox!
FAQs
How do you travel with Toniebox? Are Tonie boxes portable?
Oh, the ways are endless. Toniebox is SO portable. It is small, it packs easily, and it is rechargeable. You can purchase a separate Toniebox carrying case or pack it in standard luggage. We have even packed our Tonies in gallon-sized plastic bags.
Can a Toniebox go in checked luggage?
Yes! Toniebox can travel in carry on or checked luggage. Toniebox can be used during flights but it is recommended that you do not use the Toniebox during take off or landing, for the same reason you do not use other devices during those times.
So, what is a Toniebox? A genius invention!
We genuinely hope we have answered your “What is a Toniebox” question, as well as any others you might have had. If we missed one, please let us know. Happy traveling!
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