Devices and toys with the ‘screen-free’ label are everywhere nowadays. As a ’90s kid who grew up in the landline era, I’m all for it. After all, I remember the time when texting didn’t exist, and calling my friends’ house phone to catch up (or plan a playdate) was a thing. It’s sad to admit that landline phones are deemed “vintage.” I saw one in a museum once. But parents, like me, are going back in time and introducing their kids to the modern-day landline, with a variety of products out there to choose from. And there’s a new screen-free phone—made just for kids—that recently hit the market: the Waffle Home phone.
I shared my personal landline journey one summer, when I ditched my smartphone and lived as if I were in the ’90s. Of course, I love trying out products that lean into that same simplicity. So, when I saw that this phone looked as if it stepped out of an episode of Saved by the Bell, I knew I (and my kids) had to try it. I’m sharing what the Waffle Home phone is, who it’s for, how to get one, why one of the co-founders thinks parents will like it, and more. Keep scrolling for my full review of the Waffle Home phone.
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Why parents are opting for landline phones for kids
Parents like me, who are worried about the repercussions of constant screen time, are reaching for toys and devices that give the ‘90s analog nostalgia: simple living, face-to-face interaction, meaningful conversations, and being more ‘present’.
Over the last few years, I’ve seen a resurgence of landline phones in American households. But what is it, exactly, about phones like the popular Tin Can phone and Waffle Home phone that makes them so special for kids?
Smart phones can be scary
If you grew up in the era when landline phones were the main form of communication, then you’re no stranger to answering telemarketing calls (before caller ID existed). Fast forward to today with smartphones, and we’re still constantly screening strangers’ calls. The thought of my kids answering a scammer on the other side is quite terrifying. My children aren’t allowed to answer the phone for this very reason. It’s not only that. My concern as a parent is also the unfiltered and unsafe content that they can be fed through a smartphone or tablet. Plus, it was reported that kids with more screen time experienced anxiety or depression.
The Waffle Home phone was made with kids in mind
When I asked Waffle co-founder and Psychologist Dr. Brad Marshall why the Waffle Home phone is perfect for families, he said this: The Waffle Home phone was designed with a child’s development in mind. As a parent himself, and with his expertise in smartphone addiction, he says he’s “seen every possible trick you can imagine to get around smartphone and other tech parental controls.” He added that, with the general distrust in Big Tech, he (and the other founders of Waffle) wanted to make sure that the Waffle Home phone had the best safety features so—parents wouldn’t have to worry about what’s on the other side.
What is a Waffle Home phone?
The Waffle Home phone is a “screen-free phone for kids that lets them call the people they love; without the smartphone.” Parents can manage their kids’ contacts and set certain parental controls. According to the company, “Waffle Home gives kids their first little bit of independence, with simple calling to the people you choose.”
3 colors available
available now online at Walmart
available for pre-order at Target
(with a November 2 release!)
The design
The Waffle Home is available in three colors: mint green, graphite black, and purple gumdrop. The phone itself looks much like a brick phone from the ’80s and ’90s, but much smaller, and has the landline vibes with its coiled cord and base unit. An LED Caller ID is also displayed on the earpiece, so kids and parents always know who they’re talking to.
You can also detach the cord, making it more like a cordless phone. My kids haven’t noticed this feature, but I haven’t pointed it out to them. I personally like that they’re forced to plant themselves where the phone is located—minimizing any distractions during calls.
The cost of a Waffle Home phone
A Waffle Home costs $119. Once purchased, parents decide whether they want the Home Free Plan at no additional cost or the Home Plus+ Plan for $9.99 per month.
What’s included in the Home Free and Home Plus+ Plans?
Here’s a quick breakdown of each plan to help you decide which one is best for your family.
Home Free Plan | Home Plus+ Plan | |
|---|---|---|
Waffle-to-Waffle calls | ✔ +1 approved safe contact | ✔ |
Extended approved contacts | X | ✔ |
Waffle phone number | ✔ | ✔ |
Waffle Hub App | ✔ | ✔ |
Emergency calling | ✔ | ✔ |
International calling | X | ✔ |
Cost of plan | $0/mo | $9.99/mo or annual plan |
How does the Waffle Home phone work?
Setting up the Waffle Home phone
Setting up the phone in its entirety took me less than five minutes. I plugged the 4-foot charging cable into the phone base, along with the coiled cord. Once the phone was assembled, I downloaded the Waffle Hub App and set up my family account, where I was able to connect the device to our home Wi-Fi. With the Home Plus+ Plan, I added grandparents’ names and phone numbers, along with a few more friends and family members.
How to make phone calls
It’s important to note that who you can call depends on the plan you have. With the Home Free Plan, kids can only call households that have the Waffle Home, too. However, the free plan does allow one approved contact outside of this parameter. The Home Plus+ Plan allows you to add more approved contacts that don’t have a Waffle Home phone.
To make an outbound call, kids can scroll through approved contacts by pressing the back-and-forth arrow buttons on the phone. Contacts’ names appear on the LED screen. Kids can also use the dial pad to call approved numbers. I like that a contact card is included in the packaging, so you can write down people’s phone numbers if needed. Once they’ve selected who to call, press the button with the phone icon, and it will start to ring.
For inbound calls, know that the phone has a gentle-sounding ringer. The first time my family heard it, we weren’t sure where the sound was coming from! I was delighted to find out that the ringtone wasn’t obnoxious. To answer, press the button with the phone icon and say, “Hello!”
Parents and kids should know that in order to end the call, you must press the phone button before returning it to the base. It’s wired in me that “slamming” a phone down on a switch hook automatically ends the call, but the Waffle Home base doesn’t actually have one.
Special features
On the phone
- Voice Notes: Press the envelope button on the phone to play messages
- Sound: Press the +/- buttons to adjust the volume or press the speaker button for speaker mode
In the Waffle Hub App
- Contacts: Parents can add approved contacts, and these are the only people your kids can talk to on the Waffle Home.
- Quiet Hours: Set specific hours that the Waffle can be used
- Device Activity: Parents can manage and monitor when phone preferences are changed, when calls are made, and who kids spoke to.
Pros and cons of the Waffle Home phone
Giving my kids their own landline phone has been fun for the entire family. I love that this kid-specific device has parameters, and I don’t have to worry about scam calls or whether or not my kids are talking to a stranger.
The Quiet Time feature is also great because not only are they not allowed to make calls during these set times, but inbound calls won’t go through either.
One con, which I think is more of a personal preference—because I grew up in the landline era—is that I wish the base had a switch hook. But I’ll admit that the Waffle Home wasn’t made for me. My kids are used to pressing a button to ‘hang up,’ so this feature isn’t an issue for them.
Since the phone uses Wi-Fi, a strong connection ensures that you can hear the recipient clearly. Most landline phones are either connected to Wi-Fi or a service provider router. Traditional copper phone networks are pretty much non-existent now.
My kids’ experience using the Waffle phone
Because my 6-year-old has used a landline before, he pretty much had the concept down. However, since he wasn’t used to answering the phone, when calls came in, it took him a second to say “hello” first. Other than that, he quickly learned how to use it and can navigate it independently.
Now, my 2-year-old has a different story. He’s never used a landline phone before, and witnessing him use one for the first time was both comical and cute. For a kid who’s used to FaceTime, he was confused that he couldn’t see his grandma’s face when she called. Plus, the concept of putting the phone up to his ear was foreign to him. Imagine a toddler screaming “Nana!” into the phone. I’d say this experience has gone as expected for a toddler. He, at least, now knows how to hold the phone up to his ear and have a conversation.
What age is the Waffle Home phone best for?
The Waffle Home is advertised for kids ages 5 to 12, and I think this age range is spot on. At the age of 5, most kids can recognize numbers and are learning how to read. This makes it easy for them to know who they’re talking to.
This screen-free phone is great for kids who aren’t old enough to have a mobile phone or for kids whose parents have opted not to give their child a cell phone at this time.
Where can I buy a Waffle Home phone?
The Waffle Home can be purchased directly through the Waffle Kids website, online through Walmart, and is available for pre-order at Target (with a November 2, 2026 release date!). The device usually ships within three to five business days, so families can expect their phone at their doorstep within a week of purchase.
Is the Waffle Home worth it?
When I thought about whether or not the Waffle Home is worth it, I found myself reflecting on the term “heads-down generation.” With smartphones, tablets, and screen devices embedded into everyday life, people constantly have their heads down, looking at a screen. I know I’m guilty of it. Now that I’m a mom, I’m determined to change that. I want my kids and the generations after to be known as the “heads-up” generation.
I think screen-free phones like the Waffle Home are worth it. My kids are learning phone etiquette, how to carry conversations, and how to build relationships, and they aren’t distracted by technology that’s meant to hold their gaze.
When it comes to other landline phone ‘competitors,’ Dr. Marshall is familiar with other phones in this space. But he isn’t worried about it. “I don’t see it as competition,” says Dr. Marshall, “I think we’re all trying to solve a problem and welcome everyone solving that problem.” The company’s mission alone has me recommending it, but I’m happy to report that the device works great, too. The ’90s design is a big plus for this millennial mom’s heart as well!
FAQs about the Waffle Home
What is a Waffle Home?
The Waffle Home phone is a “screen-free phone for kids that lets them call the people they love; without the smartphone.”
Is the Waffle Home easy to set up?
Yes, setting up the phone in its entirety took me less than five minutes.
Can you make calls if the other person doesn’t have a Waffle Home?
With the purchase of a Home Plus+ Plan, Waffle users can call any number, as long as it is added to the list of approved contacts. With the Home Free Plan, you can only make waffle-to-waffle calls.
What age is the Waffle Home phone best for?
It is best for kids ages 5+.
Am I required to purchase a plan or subscription?
No, users have the option to purchase the Home Free Plan, at no cost, or the Home Plus+ Plan for $9.99 per month.
Does the Waffle Home use Wi-Fi?
Yes, this kid’s landline uses Wi-Fi.
Where can I buy a Waffle Home?
The Waffle Home can be purchased directly through the Waffle Kids website or through Walmart.
Patty Schepel, Associate Editor
As the Associate Editor, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, editing freelance articles, and more. With Patty’s passion for writing, experience as a mother of two, and expertise as a pediatric nurse, she brings a thoughtful and informative perspective to The Everymom.
