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Parents have been looking for viable replacements for the ever-present, addictive tech that’s infiltrated kids’ lives over the past decade. As smartphones and school laptops have become ubiquitous, kids’ use of these devices has seemed inevitable, leaving many parents playing whack-a-mole in an effort to keep kids off of them, desperate for solutions.
But it seems the message has finally broken through, and the scales have tipped in favor of analog replacements for smartphones, tablets and other handheld devices parents don’t necessarily want kids to have access to. Now, kids can talk on the phone, take pictures, listen to music and play games, screen-free. These products are paving the way.
Stay in touch
Over a decade ago, there was a landline in every home. But the proliferation of smartphones and the cost of maintaining both made families rethink their necessity. Now we’re rethinking it again — Wi-Fi-enabled phones are leading the way. Currently, there are a few different options on the market that offer a screen-free phone experience for kids. Each has similar features and requires a monthly calling plan fee.
Tin Can
Cofounded by three Seattle friends, Chet Kittleson, Max Blumen and Graeme Davies, these retro-looking “tin cans” have been flying off the shelves since they first launched. The phone works over Wi-Fi to an approved contact list (controlled with an app). Kids can also make emergency calls with it, and parents can set do not disturb hours.
Phone cost: $100
Plan cost: $9.95 per month
My Phone by Ooma
Another landline Wi-Fi option for parents to consider is My Phone. Like the others on this list, My Phone limits calls to those from your “trusted circle” and allows kids to receive voicemails. My Phone is also bringing back the Party Line so kids can talk to two friends at once (how ’80s of them).
Phone cost: $99.99
Plan cost: $7.99 per month
Voiply
With Voiply’s reimagined landline, parents decide who kids can talk to; all other calls are blocked. To help kids stay focused, do not disturb hours can be set, and it even has a cordless option for kids who want the freedom to roam around the house while they chat. Three phone styles to choose from.
Phone cost: $54.99–$74.99
Monthly plan: $8.95 per month
Play screen-free
Rather than handing your little one a tablet loaded with apps or a handheld gaming device, these toys provide hours of screen-free fun that mirrors typical tech play. Both are compact, so they can easily be thrown into a travel carry-on or tucked into a diaper bag so you can use it anytime kids have to wait.
Quibitunes
This unique interactive wooden play stage taps into kids’ imaginations in a big way — allowing them to pretend, create and imagine scenarios with each wooden figure and game. With it, kids can create music for a dance party, “cook” a feast fit for a king, learn about dinosaurs, listen to stories, “pop” balloons and more. It comes with a starter pack but there are multiple expansion packs ($9.99–$19.99) that provide more ways to play. My 7-year-old daughter was intrigued by it from the very start, but I think toddlers, preschoolers and kindergarteners will get the most mileage out of it.
Note: I had a difficult time connecting our Quibitunes to Wi-Fi to download a few of the cartridges, but was able to figure it out with support from Quibitunes.
Cost: $97.49
Boppo
This colorful toy comes with 40 different games, activities, stories and more pre-programmed, and mimics tablet play for kids. Add to the base by purchasing Toppos that fit snuggly over the colorful buttons ($19.99). Even older kids will enjoy playing with this device as Boppo has challenging games like Simon Says and Bop-a-Mole as well as podcasts to listen to.
Cost: $139.99
Listen to stories, music, audiobooks and more
Especially useful on road trips or during bedtime, giving kids the chance to listen to music and stories they choose is easy with these listening devices that don’t involve a screen.
Toniebox 2
If you haven’t picked up a Toniebox for your younger kids yet, summer is a great time to consider it. The storytelling device packs easily into carry-on luggage and has a headphone jack so kids can listen to stories without disturbing people around them. The recently updated updated version includes bedtime and wake-up features and the ability to use ToniePlay, an interactive game-play mode. Creative Tonies allow parents to add their own content to be used on the device.
Cost: $149.99
Yoto Mini
Similar to the Toniebox, the Yoto Mini is a screen-free story player, but it comes with a few additional features that appeal to older kids, making it a good choice to grow with families. Audio cards let kids listen to stories, podcasts, radio stations and soundscapes. They can also play educational games and set alarms with the Yoto Mini. The mini is portable so you can take it on-the-go, or consider the Yoto Player for at-home use.
Cost: $79.99
Mighty
Reminiscent of the iPod Shuffle, Mighty lets kids listen to unlimited songs, podcasts and audiobooks without an internet connection. It pairs with Amazon Music (Prime and Unlimited) and easily clips onto kids’ clothes, bags or even their shoelaces. It can be used with Bluetooth headphones or those that fit a 3.5mm headphone jack.
Cost: $129.99
Nodi Flip
This device isn’t on the market yet, but should be releasing later this year. It combines the ability to listen to music and audiobooks on Spotify, with the messaging functionality of a phone. Kids can send and receive voicemails between Nodi devices, and the app. Two versions will be available: Wi-Fi and Wi-Fi plus LTE for on-the-go use. The fun, colorful, compact design will appeal to kids of all ages; it’s recommended for kids ages 5–12.
Cost: $159
Take pictures
We’ve all leaned hard into capturing memories and moments with our smartphones always at the ready. Kids can do the same with these reimagined digital cameras that take great photos.
Instant print kids digital camera
This instant-print camera includes built-in filters and frames that even young kids tend to expect these days, thanks to social media. The cute themes like panda, Hello Kitty and Spider-Man have total kid-appeal, while the solid-color versions may sway too-cool tweens who have outgrown their love of little kid characters. The camera also takes video.
Cost: $99
Fujifilm Instax Mini
Kids love this camera that prints instant photos just like an old Polaroid. It comes in five pastel colors, has a flash and a convenient carrying case (and wrist strap) so kids can take it anywhere. There’s also a built-in selfie mirror that mimics smartphone functionality. Parents can expect about 100 photos per charge. Kids can easily open the lens, point and shoot, then wait for their image to develop.
Cost: $128.95
Camp Snap 2
Designed by parents, older kids will love the retro look of this point-and-shoot digital camera. The camera comes with six different filters, and parents can lock kids out of the filter and memory settings easily if needed. Comes in nine colors.
Cost: $59.99
Turn off tech
Brick
While this device doesn’t replace anything, it does allow families to turn off tech with just one tap. Once you set up the apps you want it to block, you simply tap the device you want to “brick.” When you’re ready for access to be restored, tap it again to unlock the device. It’s that simple. Brick works across multiple devices, and is a useful tool for tweens and teens who might be ready for their first phone, but aren’t quite ready to turn off the dopamine drip it provides without a struggle.
Cost: $65
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