Sometimes the right technology is a screen-free device, whether as a way to give our eyes a break from screens, an option for a younger child without a smartphone, or a solution for an older relative who is uninterested in using a phone or tablet for entertainment. We have gathered a few of our favorite toys and screen-free entertainment options to help get you started in finding a new form of entertainment or comfort for your loved one.
Toniebox
The Toniebox is a cube shaped, soft speaker that allows children to listen to hours of stories, games, and songs. The Toniebox works by placing a “Tonie” or, for the Toniebox 2, a “Tonieplay & Controller”, on top and letting the fun begin. Tonies are plastic or soft rubber people, animals, or shapes that contain content matching their characters or design. So, maybe your child loves Sesame Street or Disney movies? There is a Tonie for them! Parents can monitor play, purchased content, battery levels and more using the tonies app.
Click the button below to shop for your own Toniebox and explore the Tonies by age or category:
Yoto Player & Yoto Mini
The Yoto Player is a screen-free audio player that is loaded with free content, including stories, games, songs, podcasts, and more, all kid-friendly and ad-free! In addition to the built-in content, users can also purchase card packs for different ages and interests. For travel, the Yoto Mini offers stories, music, and learning on the go in a smaller design.
Parents & caregivers can use the Yoto: Music, Stories, Sleep app to adjust settings and preferences on the Yoto player, store purchased content, record their own stories and songs onto blank Yoto cards and more.
Click on the button below to shop for a Yoto Player or Yoto Mini, headphones, a protective jacket or carrying case, and lots of cards for endless entertainment.
Joy for All Companion Pets
Joy for All Companion Pets, created by Ageless Innovation, where they believe that “Play has no age limit!”, are interactive robotic pets designed to combat social isolation in older adults who may no longer be able to care for a live pet. Our experience after having these in our AT lab is that they are loved by people of all ages and abilities. They currently offer 2 varieties of dogs, 2 cats, and 2 different birds- known as “Walker Squawkers”. All of the pets respond to sound, motion, and touch, providing hours of fun interactions and imaginative play. The birds come with a velcro strap to attach them to a walker, cane, wheelchair or other mobility aid. When the walker or other mobility aid is in motion, the bird chirps, sings, and moves its head, and even reminds the user “don’t forget me” when they walk away from where the bird is attached.
Click on the button below and scroll down the page to explore all of the companion pets currently offered by Joy for All.
Joy for All Games
Joy for All now has reimagined versions of some of Hasbro’s classic board games that aim to encourage intergenerational play. For these new games they have created easier to read text and easier to grasp game pieces, along with changing the content to allow successful game play across generations. For example, Trivial Pursuit cards feature questions in categories such as “The Greatest Generation”, “Baby Boomers”, “Generation X”, and “Millenials”, allowing grandparents and grandchildren chances to show off their knowledge.
Click the button below to read more about the Joy For All games and shop for the one that your family will love: