Tin Can

Tin Can is a screen-free phone for kids that gives them the independence to call friends and family—without giving them a smartphone. Built like a modern landline, Tin Can connects over Wi-Fi and uses a simple mobile app for parents to control who can call in and out. There’s no browser, no app store, no camera, no spam—just voice. It’s a safer, saner way for kids to communicate and gain a bit of freedom without the baggage of adult tech. We believe that real connection doesn’t require a screen. And that childhood is better when it’s full of imagination, not notifications. Tin Can started in one neighborhood in Seattle, where we hand-installed 40 early prototypes and watched them spread by word of mouth. Now, Tin Can is being used by kids in over 30 states—with no marketing, no paid ads, just families telling other families. We’re growing fast, and so is the movement of parents looking for a better way to let their kids be independent, without handing over the internet in their pocket. Our newest Tin Can is fully custom hardware, designed from the ground up to be beautifully simple. It works out of the box, connects through our app, and comes with smart features like emergency calling, quiet hours, and a free Can2Can plan that lets any two Tin Cans call each other with no subscription required. Tin Can is built for the 4–13 age range—when kids are old enough to want a phone, but not quite old enough to manage one. We’re on a mission to bring back the freedom of the old-school landline, updated for today’s families.