[_carbyau_]

We have and I have seen other parents use old phones or old remote controls for this.

For young toddlers, say 1-2, this works for a day or two up to maybe a week. Then they learn to distinguish between the ones you go for and the ones you don't.

They want to do what you do, they will go for your phone, pen, laptop, glass etc precisely because it is yours.

Later, say 2.5-3 and up, when they are capable of self sustained imaginary play having a prop is nice. But by then, anything will do because the play is in the imagination.