Top low-tech gadgets I’d like my child to grow up with

Becoming a parent has made me rethink the kind of tech I want in my life, and in my child’s. I’ve spent years writing about gadgets and screens, but lately I’ve been moving in the opposite direction.

My toddler has had no screen time so far. We’ve cut back on TV, I swapped my smartwatch for a Casio, and I try (and sometimes fail) to spend less time on my phone.

I’m not anti-tech, I still love a good gadget, but I want my child to grow up knowing that tech is something you use, not something that uses you. So I’ve been thinking about the kinds of low-tech products I’d actually like him to have around. Tools that slow things down a bit.

Here’s my list.

A Walkman or portable CD player

I still have my old CD collection, the albums I listened to on repeat as a teenager. I’d love to share those with him one day. There’s something nice about putting on a CD and just listening, start to finish. No shuffle, no skipping, no algorithm picking what’s next. Just music. You can still find simple portable CD players on second-hand online stores like Bobshop or Yaga.

A simple drawing tablet (or a sketch pad)

His dad is an artist, and he already loves watching him draw. I want him to have something that lets him create freely, no notifications, no internet, just pen and paper (or stylus and pad). Something as simple as these R120 LCD drawing pads would do the trick while he is still little, and later on, something like the Xiaomi Writing Tablet.  It’s about making, not posting.

A Kindle (when he’s ready for it)

My son already owns more books than I do. He loves stories, and when he’s older, I think a Kindle Paperwhite could be a nice bridge: it’s digital, but still calm. The e-ink screen feels like paper, there are no games or pop-ups, and it’s easy to carry around. You can find them locally through Takealot and other stores.

A film camera

I want him to understand that photos aren’t just quick snaps, they can be moments you work for. With film, you get one shot at it, then you wait to see the results. It’s slower, more meaningful. I like the Kodak Ektar H35, a half-frame film camera that’s simple and fun to use. We could shoot a roll together and take it to get developed, it becomes an experience, not just a picture.

A “dumb phone” when he’s older

This one’s for way down the line, but when he eventually gets a phone, I’d prefer it to be one that just calls and texts. No social media, no endless scroll. Something like the Nokia 105 is perfect: small, sturdy, and impossible to get lost in.

A screen-free audio player

This might be my favourite idea. There’s a device called the Toniebox, a soft cube that plays stories or songs when you put little figurines on top. Each figurine has a specific story or album built into it. No screens, no bright lights, just stories. It’s designed for kids to use on their own. Thing is, you’ll have to import these, but it may be worth it if you’re after something unique. It’s simple, safe, and full of imagination.

All of these are tools I’d actually be happy to have lying around the house — not just for him, but for us too. They slow you down, make you focus, and remind you that not everything needs to be connected to the internet to be worthwhile.

It’s not about going backwards. It’s about balance. I still love tech — I just want him to grow up knowing that it’s not the centre of everything. I want him to listen to full albums, draw without an app, read quietly, take photos that matter, and find joy in small, simple things.

Maybe one day he’ll have his own screen-filled life — most kids will. But at least he’ll know what life feels like without one, too. And that’s something worth giving him.