"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.)