favorite things

The Tin Can Phone is a modern, kid-friendly “landline” that lets children call friends and family—without apps, texting, or screens. It runs on Wi-Fi and only connects to contacts that parents approve, giving kids a simple, safe way to communicate and build independence.

Why we love it:

  • Brings back real conversation and independence for kids—without the distractions or risks of smartphones.

  • Encourages kids to connect with friends, make plans on their own, and practice communication skills, all while parents stay in control of who they can talk to and when.

  • It’s a simple, nostalgic way to help kids stay social while staying screen-free.

The NODI Flip is a "calm-tech" device designed for kids ages 5–12 that focuses entirely on audio and voice messaging without a traditional screen.

Why we love it:

  • Screen-Free Connection: Kids can send voice messages to parent-approved contacts and listen to music or podcasts without the distractions of a smartphone.

  • Independence with Safety: It gives kids the freedom to stay in touch or walk home solo (via LTE), while parents maintain total control through a dedicated app.

  • Built for Real Life: It’s durable, splash-resistant, and free from social media, browsers, or addictive algorithms.

The Brick is a small hardware device that physically locks distracting apps. To unblock them, you must tap your phone to the Brick, which you can keep in a separate room to create a "barrier to entry."

Why we love it:

  • Physical Friction: It stops mindless scrolling by requiring a physical action to unlock "distraction" apps.

  • Instant Dumbphone: It can block everything except essentials like Calls and Maps.

  • No Loophole: It is significantly harder to bypass than standard screen-time passcodes.