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A real landline-style phone for kids to call approved friends. It brings back the "call your friend to play" independence without a smartphone.
Honest drawback: Needs a service plan. Check Tin Can's current terms.
Prices change; we show the maker's price as of Oct 20, 2026. Tap through to compare.
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A Wirecutter writer whose kids are 6 and 9 says that after months of use, they learned phone manners and set up their own playdates, and they stopped asking for a smartphone. Downsides she and other owners report: occasional dropped calls or dead air over Wi-Fi, long preorder waits, and $10 a month to call regular phones.
Where this comes from (read by us 2026-10-20; summarized in our words, not quoted):
Real-world feedback drives our picks. Star ratings are one signal we read critically. How we weigh feedback.
Maker's age grading: not stated on the product page when we checked (2026-10-20). Check the package label before giving it to a child.
Our suggested ages: 6–13 yrs. We never suggest an age younger than the maker's minimum. Ours may be older.
No warning text appeared on the product page when we checked. Packaging often carries warnings (for example small parts, magnets or tip-over) that websites don't show. Read the box.
| Price | $100 on www.tincan.kids, checked 2026-10-20 |
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We copy maker statements verbatim and only list certifications the maker names. If something here is out of date, the maker's page wins.
Beautiful wood blocks in a modern palette. They look nice enough to leave out in the living room, which is half the battle for getting kids to play with blocks.
Honest drawback: Non-magnetic, so towers topple more easily than with Tegu's magnetic line. Some kids find that frustrating, others find it more satisfying.
Seventy pieces with 20+ activities designed by a team of child development experts. Toddlers get easy wins, and it grows into real engineering with ramps, arches and pegs.
Honest drawback: Premium price for blocks, so you're paying for the design and the activity guide.
Made in Michigan from basswood. This is the kind of block set that ends up in the attic box marked "save for grandkids."
Honest drawback: They're for stacking and letter play, not big construction.
