As families enter Screen-Free Week (May 5–11), a growing number of parents, educators, and pediatric experts are rethinking what “healthy play” looks like in an increasingly digital world.
Screen-Free Week, organized by Fairplay’s Screen-Free initiative, encourages children and families to unplug from digital entertainment and engage in more meaningful, active experiences.
Two companies—Tonies and Learning Resources—are joining this unplugged revolution with hands-on, sensory-friendly alternatives that aim to do more than just entertain. They’re redefining what it means to play with purpose, particularly for neurodivergent children, and using storytelling, tactile design, and open-ended learning to re-engage young minds—without the blue light.
Tonies: Screen-Free Storytelling That Builds Brains
In honor of Screen-Free Week 2025, Tonies are donating over $300,000 in refurbished Tonieboxes and more than 5,000 Tonies to organizations, including Girls on The Run, Project Sunshine, Early Start Chicago, and Kids L.A.B. Therapy. But this gesture is about more than charity—it’s about impact.
A new independent study by the University of Wisconsin found that preschool-aged children who used the Toniebox showed 32% higher emergent literacy scores compared to those who didn’t. The randomized control study focused on kids ages 3–5 and measured literacy gains over time.
“As a screen-free, interactive audio experience for children, Tonies promotes language development, literacy, and socio-emotional learning for young readers and pre-readers,” said Christoph Frehsee, President and Managing Director of Tonies USA. “Our screen-free design and library of beloved characters make it a treasure trove for imaginative play, learning, and exploration at home, in the classroom, and beyond.”
In an age of sensory overload, the Toniebox offers a unique simplicity. Children activate the device by placing a figurine—called a Tonie—on the speaker. With soft, squeezable ears to adjust the volume and simple taps to switch tracks, the design is intuitive even for toddlers and accessible for kids with motor skill delays or sensory sensitivities. Frehsee noted that this design wasn’t accidental. “The Toniebox was specifically designed with the learning, developmental and sensory needs of all young children in mind… squeezing the ears instead of pressing small buttons not only makes it easier to use but provides low-effort and frustration-free experiences, particularly for children with motor skill delays.”
For neurodivergent children, the benefits go even further. Frehsee shared, “We consistently get feedback from families with neurodivergent children… that the Toniebox has been extremely helpful in regulating emotions, easing transitions like bedtime, and providing a greater sense of autonomy.” The tactile experience can anchor focus in a way screens often can’t, offering a calmer alternative to the overstimulation of video.
In addition to new releases like Mo Willems’ Elephant & Piggie, Story Pirates, and Canticos, Tonies has also introduced Creative-Tonies—customizable characters that allow kids to record their own stories or songs. According to Frehsee, “These stories provide models for navigating social situations and help children foster a sense of confidence… it’s a way to encourage positive behaviors and emotional expression during transitional times like morning routines or bedtime.”
Learning Resources: Sensory-Driven Play That Works Like Therapy
For parents who want educational play that doesn’t rely on screens, Learning Resources has quietly become a go-to brand. Known for its hands-on STEM and sensory toys, the company’s open-ended learning tools are frequently used in schools and therapy settings alike—and with good reason.
“Our mission is to bring learning to life,” said Darci Shaw, Senior Marketing Manager at Learning Resources. “Because we specialize in hands-on learning toys that are open-ended in nature, our toys are super friendly for neurodivergent kids.”
Shaw explained that many of their toys are rooted in multisensory learning, a strategy that activates not only sight and sound but also touch and proprioception (muscle and joint engagement). “Multisensory learning allows the brain to re-route from areas of deficit to areas of higher functioning,” she said. “An autistic child may not succeed learning numbers from a visual app, but given colorful, textured counting toys, they engage more deeply.”
The results aren’t just theoretical. Learning Resources regularly receives feedback from parents, therapists, and educators praising their toys’ real-world effectiveness.
One occupational therapist, Jessica Neves, OTR, MOT, shared, “What we find using these toys is that our patients progress toward their goals faster because they are having fun while they are learning.”
Products like the Big Feelings Pineapple and Cool Down Cubes are designed to help children recognize and manage emotions through interactive play. One parent of a child with ADHD described the Feelings Learning Kit as a “game changer,” sharing how the kit sparked daily conversations about moods and strategies for self-regulation.
Other parents have praised sensory tools like Helping Hands Tactile Tools and Sensory Trio Fidget Tubes, highlighting their role in calming routines, long car rides, or stressful transitions. One ABA therapist even noted how the brand’s Alphabet Acorns Activity Set helped a nonverbal 2.5-year-old begin speaking words aloud.
Inclusivity is central to the company’s approach. Beyond their product lines, Learning Resources has launched a blog full of free printables, educational tips, and at-home activity ideas for families with special needs. “We’re listening to our community,” Shaw explained. “We use that feedback—combined with insights from therapists and educators—to guide our development process and ensure we’re meeting a wide range of developmental needs.”
Screen-Free Isn’t Anti-Tech—It’s Pro-Engagement
Neither Tonies nor Learning Resources takes a tech-phobic stance. Instead, both companies advocate for intentional, sensory-rich engagement—particularly during early childhood, when attention spans and emotional regulation are still developing. Their approach aligns with guidance from organizations like the American Academy of Pediatrics, which recommends limited screen use for children under five and emphasizes play-based learning.
What these companies understand—perhaps better than many Silicon Valley disruptors—is that the most powerful learning doesn’t come from passive watching but from active doing. From hearing a story unfold through a beloved character to molding clay, solving puzzles, or role-playing emotions with a pineapple, real learning happens through interaction.
As families reflect on their digital habits during Screen-Free Week, companies like Tonies and Learning Resources aren’t just offering an alternative to screen time. They’re offering a reminder that play can still be magical, educational, and meaningful—even without a charger.