It’s a struggle that parents are all too familiar with. You want to get a few things done around the house, enjoy a conversation over lunch uninterrupted or just have ten minutes of peace.
The TV or iPad is right there, beckoning you to switch on an episode of Bluey and let your kids zone out for a bit, but the guilt over screen time and its negative effects on our little ones can feel overwhelming. As if we mums and dads don’t have enough to feel guilty about already!
As the mum of a 3-and-a-half-year-old, I am well acquainted with this mental tug-of-war, but I’m happy to say that we recently welcomed an item into our home that has alleviated not only my anxiety around screen time, but also my son’s requests for it.
What is a Yoto Player?
The Yoto Player and Yoto Mini appear deceptively simple, coming in the form of cute, compact cubes with pixel-art displays and chunky, child-friendly controls.
But the real magic lies within the Yoto Cards, a growing library of audio stories, music, educational content, soundscapes, podcasts and more. Kids just insert the card, and the audio begins, taking them into their favourite stories and introducing them to a world of new ones.
No menus. No autoplay rabbit holes. No “just one more episode” battles. Did someone say, “hell to the YES!”?
What age is appropriate for a Yoto?
Yoto features a wide range of music, stories and radio for children aged 0–12+, but as I mentioned, adults love it too!
Yoto Player and Yoto Mini are certified as appropriate for children 3 and over.
Why are Yoto players so good?
Part of the appeal is that Yoto gives kids autonomy without overstimulating them. They choose their content, adjust volume with a twist of the dial and can even use the Yoto Player as a nightlight or sleep clock. For parents worried about screen dependence, it’s a soothing alternative that doesn’t feel like a compromise.
It’s tactile, independent play at its best, something that feels both nostalgic and brilliantly modern.
My son happily rotates through cards such as The Gruffalo, Winnie the Pooh, and the Little People, Big Dreams series as well as tuning into Yoto radio, with its blend of catchy pop tunes produced especially for kids and a few classics that parents will appreciate.
Yoto Daily is another fantastic feature of the Yoto, as host Jake (a former teacher) shares fun facts and stories and encourages creativity and movement. The beauty of Yoto Daily is that it is simple enough for young kids to understand, but not in the slightest bit annoying to listen to for us caregivers.
It’s the perfect blend of infotainment that can easily draw you in and make you forget you were supposed to be having ten minutes to yourself!
Big savings on Yoto players in Australia
Sounds pretty great, right? Well, even better: from Tuesday, 27 January until Friday, 02 February, Yoto is running a Back to School sale with 10% off all Players and educational cards.
So if you’re planning to give your little one the gift of fewer screens and more imagination (and yourself the gift of less guilt), there’s never been a more ideal time to do it.
Yoto Player 3rd Generation
$161.99 $179.99
Yoto Mini Player 2024 Edition
$116.99 $129.99
Yoto Mini + Disney Stories Bundle
$208.49 $231.93
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