Need alternatives to mobile for keeping my toddler engaged
My wife works from home, and we also have a nanny to help take care of our son. Most of the time it's manageable, but there are moments when the nanny simply can't handle him, and only my wife can calm or engage him.
The problem is that during work hours, my wife isn't always able to step away. In those situations, we end up giving him a mobile phone for a short while so she can finish an important meeting or task. We try to keep screen time limited, but I'd really like to find a better alternative.
I'm looking for something that can genuinely keep a toddler engaged independently for 15–30 minutes when needed. It could be a toy, gadget, AI device, or anything else that's actually worked for your family.
I've seen people recommend Miko and other AI toys, but the reviews seem pretty mixed, so I'm not sure if they're worth it.
What has worked for you? Any recommendations or advice would be greatly appreciated.