This week I visited FOX 17 to share some great low-tech gift options for kids, including Tin Can phone, Faith Friends 18-inch dolls, Yoto Player, Big Sky Life Books, DSG Outerwear, and Domino and Juliette. I also recorded a segment on the best prepared stocking stuffers and how to make a “Mama Bear Field Kit” that airs this week.
One of the themes I talk about in my book Mama Bear Survival is the importance of giving our kids as much of an “analog childhood” as we can, filled with imagination, exploring, adventure, and connection. Screens aren’t the enemy, but in today’s world, they creep into every corner of childhood if we’re not intentional about it.
That’s why every year, I try to give my kids as many slow and traditional toys, crafting supplies, and a few low tech gifts sprinkled in… the kind that spark curiosity and creativity, build skills, or get them outdoors.
Here’s a look at this year’s picks and some detailed review below each one!
Products Featured in the Mama Bear Low-Tech Gift Guide:
- Tin Can Phone that brings back the landline
- Yoto Player for screen-free audio
- Faith Friends 18-inch Dolls for virtue & creativity
- DSG Outerwear cozy gear for all the winter activities
- Domino & Juliette toys and puzzles
- Big Sky Life Books for wholesome reading and more!
- Chess for Little Ones and more!
1. Tin Can Phone
I love this one and it’s perfect if you’re team “no smartphone” for kids like us. Tin Can has brought back the home phones of our childhood. It works just like a landline, but it plugs into your internet router and a wall outlet.
Kids can call only the trusted contacts you choose: there are no apps, no internet access, no social media, and no stranger danger. You can set “do not disturb” hours within the parent app and control exactly who is allowed to call. Kids can always call other Tin Cans for free, or for $10/month you can program approved numbers (like grandma and grandpa!).
It’s all the nostalgic fun of a house phone—without the distraction of a smartphone. And good news, the wifi version is coming in the new year!
2. Big Sky Life Books
You can’t go wrong with books! I always give my kids books every year, and my favorite shop is Big Sky Life Books because my friend Lindsay and her husband who own it, pre-read everything they sell. You can be sure you’re getting a vetted, wholesome book… they’ve done the work for you! I didn’t think pre-reading was too much of a challenge until I reached four kids with a couple hitting tween years.
You can browse by age or topic, and I especially love their vintage selections—they’ve even helped bring some classics back into print, like the charming Snipp, Snapp, Snurr & Ricka, Dicka & Flicka series (so cute!).
If you’re a big book buyer, check out their newly launched book database-just scan the back of any book or enter in the title and it will tell you if there may be questionable content (thank you!). They make choosing great books incredibly easy.
3. Yoto Player
You know I’m a big fan of the Yoto Player. I’ve had one since they first launched in the U.S. It’s a wonderful screen-free audio device for listening to books, music, and podcasts, and they offer bundles for every age and interest.
One of the coolest features is creating custom cards. You can record yourself—or grandma or grandpa—reading a favorite book, or upload your own stories or music. This year I’m whipping up some Anne Wilson and Forest Frank for the big girls & Latin cards to go along with some of our homeschool. It’s one of those dual-purpose gifts… fun for kids and also functional for learning!
4. Chess for Little Ones
If you want a screen-free gift that builds real skills, Chess for Little Ones is such a great pick. It takes the classic strategy game and breaks it down in a way that even very young kids can understand. It’s designed specifically for early learners, helping them grasp the basics through simple visuals, short lessons, and hands-on play (but I’ll admit, it’s helping me refresh my skills!).
I love that it helps build critical thinking, patience, and problem-solving while also providing a fun way siblings can play together as they grow in their skills and can start to play the full game.
5. DSG Outerwear
DSG Outerwear stands for Do Something Great, and their mission is getting girls and women outdoors with confidence. They make warm, durable winter gear, plus a heated line with rechargeable batteries that keep you cozy for hours.
Their heated gloves are amazing and the line of outerwear and hunting gear checks all the boxes, designed specifically for women, with the fit and function we actually need. They’re a fantastic gift for moms too, for cheering on the sidelines at winter sports, heading out for a hike, or simply trying to enjoy more time outdoors without freezing.
I’m partnering with DSG for the inaugural Women Hunt’s Mama Bear Field camp I’m hosting in December in Michigan. I’m so grateful they’ll be outfitting our women and girls so we can stay warm and comfortable while learning, exploring, and staying out in the field longer!
6. Domino & Juliette
Created by a homeschool mom of five, Domino & Juliette is all about making learning fit into real life—which, for many of us, happens right around the dining room table. They create family-inclusive products designed so kids of all ages can learn together, from babies to teens.
Their signature indestructible puzzles are truly kid-proof: you can paint with them, craft with them, bake with them… even let the toddlers chew on them. They’re safe, strong, and genuinely fun. The brand also offers durable placemats, hands-on lessons, and printable activities that grow with your family and make learning something everyone can enjoy—together and without screens.
These are the kind of high-quality, buy-once products that last for years and earn their place in the home.
7. Daylight Kids Computer
If you want a screen option that feels low-tech, checkout the Daylight Kids Computer. It’s called the first “calming computer” option for kids and doesn’t have any harmful blue light or flashing screens. Kids can even use it outside in natural sunlight, and it supports healthier sleep. It’s great for students or homeschoolers and I think it would be especially helpful for kids who are already attached to iPads/screens to have a better alternative.
I’m excited to test this one out and see if it’s a fit for our homeschooling. My younger ones have been enoying a learning app on my phone that focuses on letters and phonics, but I find that they get too obsessive with it and emotional when it’s taken away. Sometimes I just need to be able to focus on my older student and it’s a fast way to keep them busy, but the result isn’t worth it. I’ll report back in January on the results of switching to the Daylight Kids computer!
8. Faith Friends Dolls
Can I take a moment to shine a light on his little labor of love? It still makes me laugh that I’m two years into building Faith Friends Co., and this publicist has done essentially zero PR for her own doll brand. And that’s how it goes sometimes… but it grew from something simple and I’m proud that we’ve grown from sheer support of fellow Christian moms and grandmas who wanted something better for their girls.
Faith Friends is the Christian alternative to mainstream 18-inch dolls. Each doll comes with a 40-page Girl Journal that takes her on a journey of faith, creativity, and virtue. In a market saturated with questionable storylines and styles, Faith Friends offers something you can trust—wholesome play rooted in what is good, true, and beautiful.
We’ve expanded to doll accessories, matching girl-and-doll gowns, bracelets, Bibles, and other faith-focused gifts. And don’t miss our special collaboration doll with Anne Wilson! This week only, you can take 15% off the Anne collection with code: Anne15
There you have it! I hope you found some of these ideas helpful for your gift giving this season or the year ahead. Don’t forget to keep the season stress-free. Sometimes the shopping and hunting down the “perfect gift” causes more stress and takes away from the one thing our kids desire most- our presence & joy!
Merry Christmas!
Emily
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