Retro Ringers: Pinwheel’s Fun Landline Phone for Kids

If you remember racing home after school to grab the family landline and call your best friend before dinner, a new device from Pinwheel is aiming to reboot that experience for a new generation.

If you have fond memories of racing home after school to use the family landline to call your best friend before dinner, Pinwheel has introduced a new device that seeks to recreate that experience for today’s children.

The kid-focused tech company, Pinwheel, recently announced the launch of Pinwheel Home, a modern twist on the classic household phone. The device is designed to enable children to stay connected without the distractions of a smartphone.

Pinwheel is positioning the phone as an introductory device for children aged 5 to 10 before they are ready for a smartphone. The company already offers kid-friendly smartphones and introduced a smartwatch last year.

Unlike smartphones that offer texting and social media browsing, Pinwheel Home is designed exclusively for voice calls. The phone aims to promote meaningful one-on-one conversations while giving children the independence to call friends and family and practice basic phone skills without needing to borrow a parent’s device.

The launch of Pinwheel Home comes at a time when more parents are seeking ways to reduce their children’s screen time due to concerns about the impact of technology on their development. Studies have linked excessive screen time to emotional, behavioral, and social challenges. Recent research from the University of Georgia has also shown that children who spend more time on social media tend to have weaker vocabulary development over time.

Pinwheel Home resembles a traditional landline phone but operates over Wi-Fi, eliminating the need for a phone jack. It is available in two models: The Spark, starting at $68, comes in white, black, blue, and purple, while The Classic, priced at $79, features a retro-style handset and customizable stickers in pink, black, and white.

For safety purposes, parents can manage the device through Pinwheel’s Caregiver Portal. They can approve contacts, block unknown callers, spam and robocalls, set calling schedules and time limits, and access features like speed dial and voicemail.

Future updates for Pinwheel Home will include three-way calling and integration with Pinwheel’s watches and smartphones, allowing children to use the same phone number across devices while still regulating screen time at home.

Several countries, including Australia and the U.K., have taken steps to restrict social media access for children. Pinwheel Home joins other screen-free communication products for kids, such as Tin Can, a $100 Wi-Fi-enabled landline that enables parents to manage approved contacts through a companion app.

Calls between Pinwheel Home devices are free through the company’s Pinwheel Circle service. Families can opt for plans starting at $6.99 per month for up to five approved contacts or $9.99 per month for unlimited calling. Pinwheel Home is currently available on the company’s website and is expected to be launched on Amazon in the fall.

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