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“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited. Imagination encircles the world.” – Albert Einstein
One of the biggest ways you can help your children succeed in life is to encourage their creativity. My wife and I want our daughters to not only learn, but use their imagination in all aspects of their life. Over the years I have found that if I am able to guide my daughters a bit in one direction their imagination will do the rest. From writing stories to creating mini home models out of recycled materials to painting they have created some incredible artwork and stories. My wife and I feel that using their imagination has helped out with their classwork too.
Creativity At Its Finest
A few weeks ago I had the great pleasure of meeting Drew Vernon over at The Toy Insider’s Holiday of Play at Home. It is a virtual toy fair. At the Holiday of Play at Home I was able to get an insider’s look at toys topping kids’ wish lists. This included the toys that earned a coveted spot on The Toy Insider’s annual holiday toy lists. The lists ranged from the Hot 20, STEM 10 and 12 Under $12 categories. I met Drew at his company’s virtual booth. He works for a company called Tonies.
Tonies was created by Patric Fassbender and Marcus Stahl. The reason for their creation was for one reason, their kids. Patrick and Marcus feel that childhood should be a magical time full of big adventures and lovable memories. They wanted to create a way for kids to experience storytelling in a digital age, that stimulates their imagination and creativity in ways that a screen can’t. They made the Toniebox for kids and parents who want to feel good about their entertainment at home and to bring back imagination in its purest form. Tonies is an immersive, wondrous experience you can feel good about, but more importantly a community you can be part of now and for many years to come.
Drew Vernon On Creativity
The couple of times I was able to talk with Drew I was able to see why Tonies was such a success. Not only did the founders of Tonies, Patric Fassbender and Marcus Stahl have a passion for creating a toy for kids that helps them strengthen their imagination, but Drew has that same passion. Drew is a father of three. He also has experience working with kids when he ran a daycare facility. This fueled him to work for a company that helped with a child’s development in a positive way.
You can listen to our conversation below where we talk about how Tonies helps your child use their imagination. Drew talks about the many benefits and why your kids will enjoy this interactive toy. The Toniebox comes to life when paired with one of their whimsical collection of Tonies. They are hand-painted characters with hours of stories to tell, worlds to explore, and songs to sing along with. Each collectible character magnetically attaches to the Toniebox, making it simple for little listeners to change stories whenever they want.
Enter To Win A Toniebox
Thanks to Tonies I am giving you a chance to win a Toniebox starter set. This prize pack comes with a few figures. Here is how you enter to win. Follow these steps and you are entered to win a prize pack valued over $100.
- Leave a rating and review for The Art of Fatherhood podcast HERE.
- Follow Tonies on Instagram HERE.
- Leave a comment below on your favorite children’s book you loved when you were a kid.
Good luck!
(Please note: I teamed up with Tonies for this post, but my thoughts are my own.)
This toy looks great!!! I know my kids would love this! I really enjoyed your interview. I am going to tell my friends about Tonies.
Thanks Brian for your kind words. Your kids would definitely love Tonies. Make sure you tell me your favorite book as a kid. Good luck.
Hi Brian, Thank you for listening and for telling your friends. It means a lot to me. 🙂
Oops. I really enjoyed reading The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.
Awesome choice.
This is such a lovely idea. I know my grandkids would want this under the Christmas tree. I used to read Goodnight moon to my kids and now I read that same book to my grandkids.
I agree Patricia. Tonies is so good for kids and parents. It is great that you are carrying on the tradition of reading the same book to you read to your kids and now to your grandkids.
Goodnight Moon is a classic. My kids also love Goodnight Goon! 😛
I think this is a great space where dads are talking about raising their kids. I appreciate what you are doing here. Drew seems like he enjoys being a dad and his job. Tonies sounds very interesting. My favorite book as a kid was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Really appreciate that Tim! I agree with you I feel like Drew has a great job where he gets to incorporate fatherhood. My oldest loves Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
I love Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the works of Roald Dahl. So imaginative! 😀 Thanks for listening.
My son told me he wants this for Christmas. I enjoyed the five questions at the end of the interview. Drew I read Encyclopedia Brown when I was a kid. Those were interesting books, but my favorite book when I was kid was The Giving Tree.
Glad you enjoyed the Fatherhood Quick Five. Great book choice!
I am not usually a crier. But the Giving Tree gets me every time.
We want our kids to have a good balance of tech and non-tech toys. We read together as a family. This looks like a combination of both. We have our kids write stories too! I liked the interview. Keep up the great work Drew. Tonies is something that our family would love to try out. Thank you for this contest. The book I used to read over and over again as a kid was James and the Giant Peach.
Sounds like your family are doing things right! Like that balance you are looking for.
Thank you for the kind words, Craig. I haven’t read James in years, but it’s probably my second favorite Dahl (behind Charlie).
My favorite book as a kid was Where the Wild Things Are. I am going to start listening to your podcast. It sounds like something I would want hear more of. Drew your company sounds really cool. I know my kids would love their own Tonies set.
You rock John! Thanks for checking out my podcast. Where the Wild Things Are is a great choice.
Hi John, when I first came to tonies I saw the Creative Tonies and thought they looked like Max (because of his pajama onesie). Thanks for your comment!
My wife and I think Tonies is a great toy for our kids. My favorite book as a kid was Alexander And The Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day.
Glad you and your wife like Tonies! Good luck!
In second grade I always had trouble remembering the full title of that book, so I usually just called it “Alex’s really bad day”. 😛
I wish Tonies was around when I was a kid. I showed my wife this and she agrees with me that this would be a great toy for the kids. As a kid I didn’t read that much, but I remember reading Green Eggs and Ham over and over agaon.
Right Scott?!?! I would love to have Tonies as a kid.
Green Eggs and Ham is brilliant. My personal favorite Seuss is The Sneetches…. I read it 2 or 3 times a year and my wife thinks I’m being silly but I just really like the story. 😀
What a wonderful idea. Less screen time and more imagination! Sign this family up. My daughters would love to have their own Tonies. The book I read when I was a kid was Winnie-the-Pooh.
I agree Tammy. Good luck and thanks for entering.
Eeyore was always bumming, what was he so sad about? Winnie’s good nature and endless optimism make him a good model for kids (and adults).
I saw your post on Instagram and wanted to find out more. My kid put this on his Christmas list. I can see why he wants one. It looks cool. I really didn’t have a favorite book when I was a kid, but I read Diary of a Wimpy Kid series with my son.
That is great Brandon. Thanks for checking out the website and sharing your thoughts. I will have the author of those books on my podcast next week!
Hi Brandon, thanks for listening!
So excited for this opportunity! My favorite book as a child was Harold and the purple crayon. When i grew up i wrote my college essay on how we are all born with a purple crayon and we draw our life as best as we can with it and as we age it gets shorter.
Thank you so much for sharing! I like that you used your favorite kids book for a college assignment!!!
Hi Jaded_mom,
Your name made me laugh! Thanks for listening.
This is a really cool idea. My kids will be all over this. This is now on the holiday shopping list.
Very cool to hear. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Let me know your favorite book to be entered to win.
Thank you for the reminder. When I was really little it was brown bear.
Thanks for listening, Ted!
I find this toy a great balance of old school and new school. Listening to the podcast it seems that Tonies is a great way to give our kids the freedom for creativity. My fav book growing up was Wheres Waldo.
Oh Where’s Waldo brings back so many memories. Nice choice. I agree with your assessment on Tonies. This company is doing great things.
Hello!
I rated the podcast (such a great listen) and follow Tonies on Instagram. My favorite book was a book called the crayon box that talked. My parents read it to me so often that I memorized it (and I still have it memorized)
Thank you Megan! I am glad you enjoyed the podcast. It is really cool that you still remember all the words to your favorite book as a kid. Thank you for entering the contest. Good luck!
Thanks for the listen and Instagram follow 😀