We’ve listened to a lot of Tonies in our house, but there are a few that have earned a permanent spot in the rotation. After listening to them with my daughter over and over (and over), these are easily our favorite Tonies for toddlers.
Some make us dance, some actually teach us things, and one has somehow managed to become part of our nap routine.
If you’re looking for Tonie recommendations for a one-year-old or toddler, these are the five I’d buy again without a second thought.
1. Winnie the Pooh – The Best Nostalgic Tonie
This Tonie is by far one of my favorites because it just takes me straight back to my childhood.
It puts me right back in 1997, sitting on the floor in front of the TV—you know, the TV that was on all the time—and Winnie the Pooh coming on the screen.
The songs are basically nostalgia in a box.
The stories are just cute enough to keep your attention, but they’re also the kind you can listen to every day without getting bored. It’s one of those Tonies that I think I might love just as much as my daughter does.
2. The Little Mermaid – Our Favorite Tonie for Dancing
Princesses aren’t usually my favorite characters, but this Tonie simply cannot be passed up because of the songs.
You genuinely cannot stop yourself from dancing.
My daughter specifically asks for this one by doing a little shimmy, and the second I see it, I know it’s not only Tonie time—it’s dance time.
It’s fun, familiar, and one of those Tonies that immediately changes the mood in the room.
Little Mermaid can be hard to find - pick her up in a set with other great Tonies (Amazon)
3. Bizzy – Our Favorite Educational Tonie
I was really skeptical about buying Tonies that didn’t have a Disney character attached to them at first.
Boy, was I wrong.
Bizzy should be famous and in everybody’s home.
Not only are her stories adorable and filled with great little lessons, but she is SO educational. I’m learning things about bugs that I didn’t even know—and I’m almost 30.
It’s one of those rare kids’ things that manages to be educational without feeling like you’re listening to something educational.
4. Sleepy Sheep – Our Favorite Tonie for Naptime
Sleepy Sheep is another favorite in our house, but for a completely different reason.
My daughter pretty much only naps with me—or when Sleepy Sheep is on.
This sheep comes on, we do a few laps around the house, and she’s out.
Honestly, they should charge double just for that feature.
The songs are soothing without being annoying, which is a major plus when you’re going to hear them approximately 700 times.
Sleepy Sheep has officially earned her place in this house.
Rest Easy with Sleepy Sheep! (Amazon)
5. Little Fox – Our Favorite Tonie for Nursery Songs
It's actually called - Tonies Favorite Children's Songs: Counting Songs Audio Toy Figurine - but that is a mouth full.
Little Fox is one of my favorites because it gives us something we can use even when the Toniebox isn’t on.
It’s filled with little nursery songs that you start learning just from hearing them over and over. Eventually, you find yourself singing them throughout the day without even needing the Tonie.
Because, seriously, am I really supposed to just be an endless source of songs?
No.
But this Tonie is.
And that alone earns Little Fox a spot in our top five.
You can count on this Little Fox! (Amazon)
Which Tonies Are Best for a One-Year-Old?
For our one-year-old, the best Tonies have been the ones she can interact with in different ways. The Little Mermaid gets her dancing, Biddy gives us stories and learning, Sleepy Sheep has become part of naptime, and Little Fox has given us nursery songs we can sing together even when the Toniebox is off.
And Winnie the Pooh? That one might be just as much for me as it is for her.
If you’re choosing your first Tonies for a one-year-old or toddler, I’d look for a mix rather than buying five that all do the same thing.
Our Top Five Tonies for Toddlers
If I had to narrow our Tonie collection down to five, these would be the ones I’d keep:
- Winnie the Pooh
- The Little Mermaid
- Bizzy
- Sleepy Sheep
- Little Fox
They all serve such different purposes—nostalgia for me, dancing, learning, naps, and giving me a much-needed backup supply of songs.
And honestly, that might be exactly why these five get played so much in our house.