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Screen time is a hot topic among parents these days, not least because it’s a key plot line in the upcoming Toy Story 5 movie this summer. As a dad with an almost two-year-old boy, it’s something I can relate to.
On the one hand, there are times when you need to keep him entertained for a minute while doing something like making tea, but there’s no denying that excessive screen time isn’t good for them and something to be avoided, where possible. It’s why screen-free alternatives have boomed in popularity over recent years.
Among them is the Yoto Player, a device designed for kids aged 3-12+ that’s intended to “inspire imagination and independence”. I was delighted to test one out with my son, Teddy. He’s a tad younger than the intended age bracket, but he’s very bright and was able to enjoy it, nonetheless.
For those unfamiliar with the device, it costs £89.99 and offers a world of stories, music, learning and adventure in a safe, kid-friendly way. Users simply pop in a Yoto card and let the fun begin. Crucially, there’s no microphone, camera or ads, unlike many of the modern devices out there these days.
Set-up is pretty simple, it’s just a case of downloading an app, following a few basic instructions to connect it to the Wi-Fi and you’re good to go. Actually using it is very simple, with a card slot in the top (the cards are sold separately and include lots of popular stories, characters and music), and two bit orange buttons that are used to adjust the volume, select tracks and access a library of free content.
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I was very impressed with all the functions that come with the Yoto Player
Yoto boasts an ever-expanding library of more than 1,000 audio titles, ranging from childhood classics like The Gruffalo and the complete Harry Potter series to iconic music from the Spice Girls and the Beatles. Alongside Yoto’s licensed content, there is also Yoto Studios.
This produces Yoto Originals content that’s created by an in-house team whose mission is to create inspiring audio for kids of all ages, achieved by working with world-class authors, award-winning musicians, creatives and sound artists.
The device is pretty easy to get to grips with and something I’m sure young children would grasp pretty quickly, with a bit of guidance. There is a free ‘make your own’ card included too, allowing parents to load up their child’s favourite sounds into their very own card. That means family members can even record themselves reading, singing or making silly sounds, which will then be stored on its own card.
View 2 ImagesThe Yoto Player is a great alternative to screens to keep children entertained (Image: Staff )
I particularly like the free radio setting, which plays a selection of child-friendly tunes to keep them entertained, I’ve actually found myself bopping away to one or two. The inclusion of a night light is a handy bonus too, it works by simply facing the Yoto Player down and choosing from seven colours to help make bedtime a bit more soothing.
It’s great for bedtime as well, with the inclusion of things like sleep sounds, white noise, plus a room thermometer. It even has an Ok-to-wake setting to let children know when it’s time to get up.
There are a few extra perks I also like, including the ability to use it as a Bluetooth speaker, pair it with headphones, or link it up to your car so the whole family can listen.
There’s a kind of beauty to the product in the way it allows youngsters to tap into that childhood imagination that’s been somewhat lost in endless TV and smartphones. One thing I would note is it’s a touch heavy, which is a positive in that it feels well-made, though I’ll just have to make sure my son doesn’t drop it to avoid damage.
Another popular audio device is the Toniebox, priced at £99.99 on Amazon. These differ from Yoto Players in that characters are placed on the devices to play stories and music, rather than cards. Kids pop a Tonie or Tonieplay game on top of the Toniebox and squeeze, tilt, tap and turn to navigate, while it’s also screen-free.
The Voxblock is another screen-free player, specialising in books. That’s £59.99 on Amazon and is connectivity free, so it doesn’t need Wi-Fi or apps.
Customers on Trustpilot have been very impressed with the Yoto Player too. One wrote: “3rd generation is great. We are very happy with the podcasts. It teaches my kids so much!”
View 2 ImagesYoto has an ever-expanding library of over 1,000 audio titles, including childhood classics like The Gruffalo and the complete Harry Potter series(Image: Yoto)
Another continued: “Our 4 year old loves his Yoto box. It’s been fun to watch him grow into the stories – initially Paw Patrol and now loves the ladybird nature cards and some longer stories. Helps decrease how much he requests to watch something.”
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A third added: “We love our Yoto! My son is 10 and I thought it may be “too young” for him, but he is an audiobook lover and takes his Yoto everywhere! I love the battery life of this larger one, so I don’t have to worry about it dying on a car trip.”
Despite the positives, occasional buyers deducted a star, such as one who mentioned: “Kid loves it, app is nice, but you do need a good starter pack of story cards to get a kid interested initially.”