Storybox without cards or figures: what alternatives are available for children in 2026?

A story for traveling, a song for dancing, a game for fun… and all that without having to buy a new card or collect figures? Good news: it's possible! Discover the different ways to offer children a rich audio universe full of discoveries, without multiplying accessories.

You probably know this scene: 

It's time for the bedtime story. Everyone is settled, the cuddly toy is ready, the blanket too. And then, disaster.

“But where is my card with the dragon?”

A great expedition follows under the sofa, behind the cushions, and at the bottom of the toy chest. The dragon has mysteriously disappeared.

Okay, we're exaggerating just a little bit. But when choosing a storybox, the question of cards, figures, and additional content really deserves to be asked.

Because beyond the pleasure of discovering new stories, we are also looking for a practical companion, easy to use and capable of entertaining children for a long time.

So, is there a storybox without cards or figures to buy?

Yes! Fabli offers audio experiences that do not require cards or physical characters.

And if you are looking for a device that also offers interactive games built directly in, without additional accessories, Fabli deserves special attention.

But let's start at the beginning.

1. Why do some storyboxes use cards or figures?

We must admit they have a nice advantage: cards and figures make stories visible and easy to handle.

A 3-year-old child can choose their favorite character, place it on their reader, and immediately understand that a new adventure is about to begin.

It's simple, concrete, and fun.

• At Yoto, cards allow you to select stories, songs, or podcasts.
• At Tonies, licensed figures are placed on the Toniebox and give access to their audio content.

For some children, this is even a big part of the fun: choosing their character, finding their heroes, and building a small collection.

And we understand that very well!

But is it necessary to collect to keep having fun?

Not at all.

Some families love collections. Others prefer to limit the number of small objects in the house, avoid losing accessories, or simply keep the freedom to enrich an audio reader without having to systematically buy a new physical medium.

There is no right or wrong way to do it.

The main thing is to choose an experience that suits your child and your daily life.

After all, a great story can start with a figure, a card, a button… or simply a little light that turns on.

2. What are the best storyboxes without cards or figures?

Several solutions allow you to listen to stories without depending on physical media.

However, they do not all offer the same experience.

Lunii: inventing stories with a few buttons

With Ma Fabrique à Histoires, the child chooses the elements of their adventure directly on their reader.

A hero, a place, a companion, an object… and the story comes to life!

There is no card or figure to handle to change the story.

The Lunii includes a first audio book offering 24 story combinations. It is then possible to buy new digital audio books or enjoy the optional Lunii+ subscription.

It's an interesting solution for children who like to compose their own stories and let themselves be carried away by their imagination.

Its little plus: an intuitive storytelling experience, entirely focused on stories.

Merlin: discovering hundreds of stories and podcasts

The Merlin speaker offers another approach.

It gives access to a large library of podcasts, stories, and children's documentaries, notably from the universes of Radio France and Bayard Jeunesse.

More than 1,000 podcasts are accessible without extra cost with the purchase of the device.

An adult selects the content from an app, then transfers it to the speaker. The child can then find it and listen to it without an internet connection.

No need to buy a card or a figure for every new podcast!

Its little plus: a library particularly rich in audio discoveries, ideal for children who ask a thousand questions about the world.

Yoto Player: cards, but also card-free favorites

Yoto is particularly known for its audio card system.

But beware: contrary to what one might think, cards are not essential for all listening.

The fourth generation Yoto Player has a green button allowing you to find favorite content directly on the device.

Parents can organize these favorites from the app, with stories, music, podcasts, or compatible personal recordings.

Yoto also offers free audio programs, notably its radio and daily podcast.

The cards remain nevertheless a central element of its ecosystem, notably to discover its large catalog of stories.

Its little plus: a great variety of content and several ways to access it.

Fabli: stories, games, and music, without accessories to collect

What if we could go even a little further?

This is one of the ideas that made us want to create La Fabli.

We wanted to offer children an audio companion that is not limited to telling stories, but also allows them to play, participate, think, and discover.

All without a screen.

And above all, without needing a collection of cards, figures, or new accessories to have fun.

With its 16 light-up buttons, the Fabli directly offers stories, nursery rhymes, music, games, and interactive adventures.

The child navigates their content and participates in the activities from the device.

For some games, the buttons become colors to find, sounds to reproduce, or challenges to overcome.

The motion sensors also allow you to play by moving the Fabli.

Its little plus: bringing together audio listening and interactive play in a single companion, with 40 pieces of content included at purchase.

3. Our comparison: cards, figures, included content, and games

Audio reader	Cards or figures required?	Content available at purchase	Interactive games
Lunii	No	1 audio book, i.e. 24 stories to compose	Mainly dedicated to listening and choices
Merlin	No	Audio selection and access to over 1,000 podcasts without extra cost	Mainly dedicated to listening
Yoto Player 4th generation	No for favorites, but cards at the heart of the offer	Podcast, radio, and welcome content	Mainly dedicated to listening
Toniebox 2	Figures for the Tonies experience; accessories for Tonieplay	Depending on the box chosen	Basic games, via Tonieplay
Fabli	No	40 stories, games, and audio content	Yes, directly on the device

Comparison established in November 2026. Available content and features may evolve depending on models and offers.

What should you remember?

The absence of cards does not necessarily mean a more limited experience.

Some devices focus on stories, others on a very large audio catalog.

And others, like Fabli, also offer real interactive activities.

4. With Fabli, 40 pieces of content to start the adventure!

Imagine Christmas morning: little pieces of wrapping paper fly everywhere. Little eyes shine. There is a lot of excitement, a few pieces of ribbon lying around, and of course, this question:

“Can we play with it now?”

At Fabli, we really love the idea that the answer could be a big YES!

The Fabli already includes 40 pieces of content, representing over 10 hours of games and listening.

And not just stories!

Stories to escape

• Adventures imagined and carefully produced, expressive voices, original music, and sound universes that invite children to dream.
• Because a great story is sometimes all it takes to transform an ordinary afternoon into an extraordinary expedition.

Games to participate

• This is one of the peculiarities of Fabli.
• With its light-up buttons, the child can play with colors, sounds, memory, and logic.
• Some games even invite you to move!
• No need to look for a new card or buy an additional controller: the included games directly use the interactive controls of the Fabli.

Adventures to become the hero of the story

• What if, this time, the child could really participate?
• With the interactive adventures of Fabli, listening is no longer always enough: you also have to make choices, react, and overcome small challenges.
• Another way to discover stories, particularly fun for children who like to be at the heart of the action.

Songs, lullabies, and moments of gentleness

• Because you don't always want to go on an adventure!
• The Fabli also includes nursery rhymes, lullabies, soundscapes, and relaxing music.
• Enough to accompany a quiet break, a moment of free play, or an evening ritual.

And of course, if the child wants to find the same song for the twelfth time of the day…

We wish you a lot of courage. We know that too. 💛

5. A storybox without additional purchase: is it really possible?

This is an important distinction.

Not needing cards or figures does not necessarily mean that all content is free.

• At Lunii, you can buy additional digital audio books or choose a subscription.
• At Merlin, many podcasts are included, while some additional selections are paid.
• At Yoto, the catalog notably includes paid cards, but also free content and digital favorites.

And at Fabli ?

You can enjoy the included content for as long as you want

• The 40 pieces of content provided with the Fabli do not require any subscription.
• Children can find their favorite games, stories, and music without having to buy something new.
• And when they want to discover other adventures, families can enrich their library with new digital content.
• Without the obligation to do so regularly.
• Without systematically buying a card or a figure.

You choose what you add, and when.

• We love this freedom.
• Because a child can love a story for months, then become passionate about something else.
• And because a gift should not become a permanent race for accessories.

6. What if the most beautiful stories came from your family?

There is a little feature that we particularly like about Fabli.

You can add your own MP3 files and personal recordings.

It's very simple. But imagine what this allows.

A story told by a grandparent who lives far away, asong recorded by a slightly mischievous uncle (yes Uncle Thomas, we recognized you!), alittle message prepared by a godmother for a birthday... Or even a story invented together, then recorded to listen to it as many times as you want!

It is sometimes these little attentions that become the most precious memories.

And at Fabli, we think that technology should also serve this: bringing people closer, feeding the imagination, and giving even more room to shared moments.

Other readers, notably Lunii, Merlin, and Yoto, also offer recording or audio personalization possibilities.

It's a very beautiful trend, and we are happy to see that children's audio can also become a family affair!

7. Beyond the number of content, quality matters a lot

When comparing storyboxes, we often talk about numbers.

The number of stories available. The number of cards. The number of figures. The number of listening hours.

But a huge catalog is not necessarily the best choice for every child. Sometimes, a particularly well-told story can become a real little treasure.

At Fabli, we choose quality

We place a lot of importance on writing, voices, sound production, and the way children experience each experience.

Our stories are not just audio files added to a device.

We imagine universes, work on atmospheres, emotions, interactions, and the little discoveries that make you want to listen again.

Our content is developed with the support of education and health professionals.

Because children deserve demanding, sensitive, and joyful creations.

And because premium should not mean complicated, serious should not mean boring, and educational should never prevent having fun.

This is the balance we seek every day.

8. What storybox without cards to choose according to age and desires?

• For a 3-year-old child who loves fairy tales, Lunii can be a very good entry point into the world of audio stories.
• For a curious 4 or 5-year-old child who likes listening to podcasts, discovering animals, or asking a thousand questions about nature, Merlin offers a particularly interesting catalog.
• For a child who likes collecting their stories and finding them easily, Yoto offers a very rich audio ecosystem, notably with card-free access to favorites on its new generation.
• For a child who loves handling characters, Toniebox 2 remains a great option, even if its operation largely relies on its figures and accessories.

And for a child who loves listening as much as playing, exploring, participating and discovering, Fabli offers a different approach.

Its luminous interface provides access to a wide variety of activities, while its stories and musical content accompany quieter moments.

One companion, several ways to have fun.

And a device designed to accompany children from their first listening experiences to their adventures as they grow up.

9. Frequently asked questions before choosing

Is there a story box without cards or figures?

Yes. Fabli, Lunii and Merlin allow you to access their content without physical cards or figures. The 4th generation Yoto Player also allows you to listen to favorites without a card thanks to its dedicated button.

Which story box offers games without having to buy additional accessories?

Fabli offers five games and two interactive adventures included with purchase. Children play directly with its 16 luminous buttons and motion sensors. Toniebox 2 also offers interactive games, but its Tonieplay system requires additional compatible accessories and content.

Is a subscription required to use Fabli?

No. Fabli includes 40 pieces of content with purchase, usable without a subscription. New games and stories can be purchased separately to enrich the library, but this is not mandatory.

Can you add your own stories to Fabli?

Yes! You can add MP3 files and personal recordings. A lovely way to listen to stories told by loved ones, rediscover family songs, or keep small audio memories.

Can you use Fabli without the Internet?

Yes. Once the content is on the device, Fabli works offline. Its wireless connections can also be manually disabled during use.

Which story box should you choose to avoid multiple purchases?

First, look at what is included with the device, then at the customization options and possibilities for adding content.

Fabli offers 40 pieces of content, including games and interactive adventures. Lunii includes one audiobook, Merlin provides access to over 1,000 podcasts at no extra cost, and Yoto offers free radio stations and programs, among other things.

The best choice depends on what your child likes and how you want their audio world to evolve.

What if we simply let children play?

At Fabli, we do not think that you need to multiply objects to multiply discoveries.

We love stories that make you laugh, Lchallenges that make you think, songs that make you want to dance, and quiet moments after a busy day.

And above all, those moments when a child surprises us with an idea we never would have thought of.

Our goal is to create beautiful, reliable, and carefully designed products, capable of accompanying these little moments of everyday life.

Fewer constraints. More imagination. And lots and lots of fun.

With or without cards, with or without figures, the most important thing ultimately remains the same: that children can discover the world with curiosity, confidence, and wonder.

And if you are looking for an audio companion that brings together stories, games, music, and interactive adventures, without accessories to collect, our little Fabli will be delighted to meet you! 💛

Discover La Fabli

40 pieces of content included. Interactive games. Immersive stories. No screen, no mandatory subscription, and no cards or figures required.

An audio companion carefully designed for playing, dreaming, and growing at their own pace.

Discover La Fabli and its 40 included pieces of content

Article written by the Fabli team — November 2026. The features of the other readers presented in this guide come from information provided by their manufacturers and may change.