Yoto Player: Why Families Love This Screen-Free Device

Want to pry your child away from screens without hearing "I'm bored"? Then a Yoto Player might be a good gift for your child's next birthday. This unique audio device, which parents across the web have been raving about, offers a modern take on a boom box or a CD player. It spins stories, plays music and streams podcasts that will keep kids entertained for hours—no screen required.

What makes Yoto unique? The use of credit card-sized cards. Each card, which is beautifully illustrated like a book cover, contains different audio content, including audiobook stories, music, educational programs and interactive activities. You also have the option to record and create your own cards, adding a personal touch to the fun.

Want to learn how this screen-free audio player can bring your family together? Let's explore how it works, what content is available, and how Yoto keeps things fresh with regular updates.

What is Yoto?

The Yoto Player, an audio device for children, was created using Montessori education principles of independence and hands-on learning. Debuting in 2018, the player's unique design and educational value have not gone unnoticed, earning recognitions from Design Week in 2020 and the D&AD Awards in 2024.

Parents across Reddit and Amazon have great things to say about the device, many calling it a “game-changer” for quiet time and car rides. Toddlers enjoy the music and nightlight features, while older kids dive into stories, podcasts and even custom cards with family-recorded content. Popular favourites include Julia Donaldson books, science-themed stories and the daily podcast, which many parents say their children eagerly anticipate. Though some find the upfront cost and additional cards expensive, others rave about its durability and how it fosters independence, allowing even toddlers to control their listening experience.

Yoto's success has attracted partnerships with literary giants like HarperCollins, Penguin Random House and Hachette, further expanding its library of audio content for young listeners. It also has collaborated with popular children's franchises from Disney and Dreamworks.

How does Yoto work?

Yoto offers two devices for kids ages three and up: the Yoto Player and the Yoto Mini Player. While similar in function, they differ in size and battery life.

The larger, third-generation Yoto Player has three main control buttons. The left button adjusts the volume and moves back through chapters, while the right button accesses Yoto Daily and Yoto Radio, and navigates chapters and tracks. The centre button, which is also the power button, turns the device on or off, pauses or resumes playback with a quick press, and stops the current track with a longer press. Cards for the Yoto 3rd Generation Player are inserted into the top slot of the device.

The Yoto Mini is a smaller, more portable version of the original Yoto Player. Both devices offer Bluetooth connectivity and allow for customizable content through blank cards. They also include parental controls via a companion app.

The Yoto Mini, like other Yoto Player models, has a card slot on the top of the device where cards are inserted. The Yoto Player boasts up to 24 hours of battery life per charge, while the Yoto Mini provides up to 14 hours of play per charge.

No matter what device you choose, John Bianchette, VP of Education and Training at Mathnasium, an American education brand and supplemental math learning franchise, highlights the kid-friendly design of all Yoto products: "The large buttons are simple to press, so kids can easily control the volume, switch tracks, or pause audio. Its sturdy, rounded design withstands everyday bumps and drops, making it great for little hands."

What you need to know about Yoto's "audio experiences"

Yoto's unique selling point lies in its innovative audio experiences. Unlike traditional audio players, the Yoto Player operates with user-friendly physical cards. "Kids simply insert a card into the player, and the audio begins instantly—no screens, no complications," Bianchette explains. "Its simplicity and intuitive design allow children to manage their own listening experience effortlessly."

Sarah Natchez, Yoto's Managing Director for North America, reveals that Yoto currently offers over 1,000 cards designed to engage children in imaginative play across various themes, genres, and activities. "The Let's Move card packs encourage kids to stretch, jump, dance, and more through engaging exercise activities, while Yoto Daily: Draw Along inspires children to use their imagination to create mini masterpieces, from underwater creatures to outer space scenes," she elaborates.

Yoto has also expanded its original content offerings. "Over the past two years, we've significantly increased our Yoto Originals, which are high-quality, immersive, and engaging audio experiences exclusive to Yoto," Natchez continues. "Some of our bestsellers include Songs for Little Pirates, 5-Minute Construction Stories, and 5-Minute Enchanted Stories. The Yoto Brainbots collections are also incredibly popular, featuring an educational series that follows the adventures of four friendly robots as they explore prehistoric eras, outer space, the human body, and beyond!"

In addition to original content, Yoto has expanded its music and book offerings. Natchez notes, "This year, we launched the most requested series of all time - Harry Potter. We've also significantly expanded our partnership with Universal Music Group to bring hits from iconic artists like the Spice Girls, Elton John and The Beatles to Yoto's platform. These releases have allowed Yoto to introduce some of the world's most beloved artists to a new generation of music lovers."

How to Use Yoto for interactive storytelling

Natchez highlights the versatility of Yoto devices for interactive storytelling. She emphasizes, "Yoto is an excellent tool for incorporating into storytime throughout the day, engaging children in a hands-on, screen-free manner." She notes that families utilize the players in various ways.

Natchez suggests using Yoto throughout the day, starting with early mornings. "For early risers, Yoto can help children ease into their day quietly, using headphones, while allowing parents to enjoy a few extra moments of precious sleep," she explains. She adds, "Many families enjoy tuning into Yoto Daily, our daily podcast filled with jokes, quizzes and fun facts, as part of their morning ritual. Whether listening during breakfast or while getting ready, it becomes a cherished part of families' daily routines!"

Natchez also recommends Yoto for bedtime. "We observe families using Yoto in the evenings to help children establish a consistent routine, facilitating their transition from a busy day to a restful night," she says. Yoto offers several features to assist with this transition, including a toothbrush timer, a customizable day/night clock to signal bedtime, a night light, and an OK-to-wake clock. Additionally, Yoto provides an extensive selection of audio stories perfect for helping children wind down before sleep."

Homeschooling with Yoto

Yoto can be a valuable tool for families who homeschool or wish to incorporate additional learning into their home environment.

According to Natchez, "The platform offers a wide range of educational content for children aged 0-12+, covering topics from first words and phonics to mathematics, astronomy, zoology, and history. One of Yoto's standout features is the "Make Your Own" cards, which allow homeschooling families to upload custom educational content and transform it into physical Yoto cards, providing flexibility in their curriculum."

Many homeschooling families have also found creative ways to integrate Yoto into their daily routines. "For instance, some use Yoto players during lesson breaks or play audio story cards to accompany art-inspired lessons, enhancing the learning experience," Natchez adds.

What are the safety features of the Yoto player?

Another attractive feature of the Yoto is the safety features it provides. According to Bianchette, "It’s simple to use, with easy physical controls that kids can operate themselves. Parents can also manage content and monitor their child’s listening habits through the Yoto app, giving you extra control and confidence in what your child is enjoying."

The physical card system itself is another great safety feature that Bianchette says is a great way to keep kids safe from online risks. "Since the Yoto Cards are pre-loaded with content and don’t require an internet connection, there’s no chance of kids accidentally stumbling onto inappropriate material or distractions from the internet," he adds. "The cards are all carefully curated, so parents can be confident that everything their child listens to is suitable for their age and interests."

Furthermore, Yoto prioritizes safety by conducting regular performance testing and quality inspections. All products undergo rigorous third-party testing to meet the highest global safety standards.

Safe listening habits

To foster healthy listening habits in children, Biachette says it’s helpful to set limits. "Try setting limits on how long they listen each day and making sure to include breaks so they don’t get overstimulated," he says. "This helps them stay engaged without feeling overwhelmed.

Creating specific times for listening—like during quiet playtime or before bed—also adds a sense of structure. Bichanette adds, "After listening, it’s also helpful to talk about what they’ve heard, which deepens their understanding and makes the experience more meaningful. A routine like this helps turn listening into a fun, educational activity that becomes a natural and balanced part of their day."

What content is available on Yoto in Canada?

Yoto Canada brings the same engaging audio entertainment experience to Canadian families as its international counterparts. The device features simple controls and a card slot for Yoto audio cards, giving users access to a wide range of stories, books, music, and educational content.

To keep things fresh and exciting, Yoto regularly updates its content library with new material. For those looking to maximize their Yoto experience in Canada, joining the Yoto Club is a great option. This subscription service refreshes its content monthly, adding approximately 10 new cards on the first weekday of each month.

Additionally, Yoto offers a free feature called Yoto Daily, which provides frequently updated episodes packed with games, jokes, and activities. Keep an eye out for special holiday content that adds extra fun throughout the year.

Benefits of Yoto

Caitlin Slavens, a licensed child psychologist, highlights several benefits of using Yoto. "One of the greatest advantages is that it offers a screen-free way for kids to enjoy stories and music," she explains. "In our visually overstimulating world, I appreciate how Yoto can help slow things down. My kids love selecting cards and listening, and I value that it engages them without adding more screen time."

Without the distraction of screens, Bianchette also notes that children can better focus on what they’re hearing and engage their imaginations in ways screens cannot offer. "It also promotes better sleep since they're not exposed to the blue light that can disrupt rest," he adds. "By listening instead of watching, kids develop creativity, concentration, and essential listening skills in a healthy and balanced manner."

FAQ:

1. Can I make my own content for the Yoto Player?

Yoto's "Make Your Own" feature lets you create custom audio cards. You can record your own content and add it to blank cards. Each card holds up to 100 tracks or 500MB of audio.

2. What is Yoto books?

Yoto Books refers to the audio content available for Yoto devices, which comes in the form of physical cards. These cards include audio books for various age ranges (from toddlers to teens), educational content and podcasts, plus music albums and playlists. Cards can be purchased individually or through subscription services such as the Yoto Club.

3. Has Yoto ever been recalled? 

In April 2024, a safety concern led to the recall of Yoto Mini Speakers in Canada and the United States. Health Canada and the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission identified a potential burn and fire hazard due to the speaker's lithium-ion battery overheating. Yoto responded proactively to address the issue by developing a new Yoto Mini Smart Cable with built-in safety features to better control battery charging. The company also rolled out an automatic software update to improve battery management for all Yoto Mini speakers.

Experts

• John Bianchette is the VP of Education and Training at Mathnasium.
• Catilin Slavens is a Psychologist, Family, Perinatal & Child Psychologist at MamaPsychologists.
• Sarah Natchez is Yoto's Managing Director for North America.