Tonies, Yoto, Yoto Mini & Amazon Echo

[AnnanAsh]

I spent ages researching on what to buy for playing audio books for my two kids with a 9yr difference between them. I liked the idea of the tonies and the figures they come with. However they seemed expensive to keep up with, as the figures were quite pricey, space consuming, fragile and difficult to carry around. The decisive point for me was that the tonies would stop when the figure was lifted. I can't imagine a hyperactive toddler keeping the figure in place in order to listen without wanting to play with it. I then came across the yoto.

The biggest advantages compared to the Tonies was the ability to have access to several podcasts and radio stations. The MYO cards are another advantage, they hold many more hours of content than the creative tonies, the advertised limit is 6 hrs but I have heard from users that they hold even more. I also heard people suggesting that an amazon echo was a better device to play audible content etc. My opinion is that it is a different product addressing a different need. It does not promote independence or give the ability to choose to toddlers like that of a Yoto or tonies. My 9 yr old would never use an amazon echo whereas a Yoto would actually inspire her to listen. Also I want to use the MYO cards to record stories for my baby when I go back to work and for my dad who is overseas to bond with the kids. The yoto would also work without wi-fi as long as the card is downloaded. The yoto app has good content too- connects to bbc radio, the junior weekly etc, has white noises and sleep sounds for baby, timers for brushing teeth, tidying up, homework etc.

I was planning to buy the Yoto original (which also has a night light and would be easier for a toddler to operate) but then decided a yoto mini would be more suitable for my family's needs.

My baby loves the nursery rhymes cards and the night time sleep radio, my 9 year old loves the yoto daily podcast, the morning radio and listens to audio books in the background when she is doing other stuff. She takes it everywhere, listens to it in the bath, while dressing up etc. It has reduced screen time. Over all a very worthwhile purchase. I kind of enjoy it too which is a bonus.

Here is a link to a 10% off if you are interested in buying a yoto original or a yoto mini (minimum spend £59.99) prz.io/KOLe5GvtY

If you have any questions, happy to answer 😊

We have a yoto (original) and Amazon Echo Dot. We use the Dots for us and the Yoto for the children. My son has had a Yoto since he was 4 (he'll be 6 at Christmas). It is by far his most used possession and our best purchase. He listens to stories every night before bed (once we've read to him / he's read to us), we all listen to the pod casts, it's easy to use, the night light is a good feature as you can change it morning / night a bit like a groclock. My 2yr old loved her brothers so much we also had to get her one to save arguments and she can use it with ease. With the adventure jackets they're very robust. They're so much easier for smalls to use than the dots that rely on good recognisable speech. We love the selection of cards, the ladybird audio adventures have been a huge hit and my youngest loves the Julia Donaldson cards and wheels on the bus.

I can't comment on Tonies but I was actually put off by the characters.

Hope that's helpy!

I hope that helps, and if you need a referral code for 10% off if you choose a yoto here is ours

prz.io/rzxAkJmt0

I'm trying to decide between the Yoto and Yoto Mini for my nearly 3yo.

Any advice? I'm leaning towards the Yoto. Because the mini would possibly only be used in the car sometimes,and DD is happy listening to Audible atm.so would probably use that with her Bluetooth headphones and my phone.
Or am I missing something??

Hi AliceTheCamelHasFiveHumps the mini will not use your data when you are out and about, the cards can play without wifi or bluetooth as long as they have been downloaded once at home. The major plus point is you will have the phone to yourself and dont have to worry about charging (using bluetooth can be draining). Cards are easier to choose from and change as she likes, than the images on audible. Also if she becomes used to accessing the phone to choose her audible book, there is a high possibility that she would choose youtube or other options (children learn quite quickly).

The mini is quite good in terms of retaining the battery charge than the original. Also the mini can be used in the bath, at the dining table and so on. We use the timers quite a lot, and listen to the radio for a long time, so the portability from room to room is quite important for me. Despite it being a mini the sound is quite loud and my daughter can hear it over the shower.

If the night light is important to you and you are going to use the yoto only during bed time then choose the yoto original. Otherwise the mini is quite sufficient. Whatever you choose, you cant go wrong with either.

Hi, I'm looking at getting a Yoto mini for my 4 year old for Xmas but was wondering whether buying all the cards ends up being expensive? I can't quite figure out if there is enough other stuff to do I.e radio and podcasts or will I need to also buy a collection of cards to get us going and add to these regularly?

We have a yoto original and mini. I do love the portability factor of the mini (and my 5 year old loves being able to bring it with her so easily) but my youngest (at 3) does really well with the original and can put it back on the charger himself which he couldn't do with the mini.

We have a few packs of cards, but what has given the whole system a lot of longevity for us is the make your own cards. You can read stories yourself to put on them or link to free podcasts (we've got the Thomas and Friends podcast on one for my train-obsessed three year old). I also have a designated 'library' make your own card for each child. Our library system uses BorrowBox so we can put a new audiobook on a make your own card and swap it out for a new library one every week or so.

We absolutely love our yotos (and they have completely transformed bedtime--each child now goes to bed with a story on that turns off at a time I've set).

Happy to share my referral discount of 10% off your first purchase of £59.99 or more 😊

prz.io/YQzQ9YxSE

Hi Bluebell19, it really depends on your kids interests. There are many podcasts, radio stations and other extra stuff you have access to. My 9 yr old enjoys these more than the cards. Also, you could get one of the card bundles or the starter pack which are value for money. You can use borrowbox to get audiobooks from your library. Make your own cards are low priced and can be used to load whatever content you want.

You can use discount code LL-04QR0JHA for 10% off. Any questions, please ask.

Yoto is brilliant. Loads of choice of books, podcasts, Yoto radio etc. The cards are much more reasonably priced than tonies, also easier to transport and better for the environment as they use a fraction of the amount of plastic. Let me know if you want a referral code for a discount.

My 9 yr old would never use an amazon echo

Why not? Echo is the only technology the older and younger members of our family have adopted just from seeing/hearing me talk to them

They have thought up lots of other questions to ask and be answered

Im always suggesting new technology. Echo is the only one anyone else uses. I'd suggest getting one to try.

You can hook it up to a phone line You can also allow family to 'drop in' over WiFi so your family can read in real time to your DC. Turn off the listening when you don't want them to use or be disturbed.

Try it. It will grow with your child.

We’re firmly in ‘Team Yoto’, the range of cards is fantastic. My DS5 is currently curled up in bed learning about Ancient Egypt! I must admit I was a sceptic at first but it’s a brilliant product.

here’s a referral code for 10% off if anyone’s interested in getting one for Christmas
https://prz.io/jg1PpKehg

Yesterday, I saw my daughter listening to visionary women leaders both before and at bed time. What a win considering a few months ago she would be asking for more screen time or asking for more story time.

Code LL-04QR0JHA also works with the current black friday offers and takes 10% off a minimum spend of £59.99.