Yoto Lands Down Under: Screen Free Fun for Kids

While I’m all for a movie afternoon on a weekend, I’ll admit that I do try to keep my kid's screen time to a minimum (and my own, for that matter.) After they’ve been locked into a movie or a show, I find it really hard to re-integrate them back into the day as they’ve zoned out to another universe—so I try to use screen time tactically and sparingly wherever possible.

Because of my eternal quest to keep things on an even keel and encourage playing and reading books together over screens whenever I can, the Yoto Player— a screen-free audio player that plays podcasts, music and audiobooks—has long been on my radar.

Yoto has FINALLY landed down under with an Australian online store. Needless to say, I was like a bull out of the gates in snapping one up for Ms 5 and Mr nearly-3, and am here to tell you why you should do the same.

Yoto Now Available in Australia

Oh Yoto—how do I love thee, let me count the ways. No, but seriously, Yoto has a list of merits that is longer than my arm. Let me get out my scroll…

Not to steal their own tagline (but watch me steal their tagline…) Yoto truly is modern technology without the digital dilemma. The Yoto Player is the ultimate audio companion designed to enrich your child's experiences, and in just a couple of short weeks, it’s become a calming, engaging feature of our daily routine.

With its award-winning sound quality, Yoto brings stories, music, and educational activities to life. Simply slot a Yoto Card into the top of the player to unlock up to 24 hours of content on a single charge. Parents can also manage and play content through the intuitive Yoto App—and you can even buy books on the app and listen to them immediately on your Player while you wait for the cards to arrive. This meant that the audio story of Frozen was playing in my kids' ears quicker than you can say "Let it go" after I went on a Yoto card spree. Win!

Tick of Approval from the Best in the Biz

With Yoto, you tap into a vast library of kids' stories, music, educational activities, podcasts, and radio stations, all supported by creative visionaries like Sir Paul McCartney and the Roald Dahl family. Designed for kids aged 2-12, Yoto encourages early literacy and independence, reducing the pressure on parents to constantly manage their child's entertainment. Can I get an amen to that?! 

Yoto bridges traditional book reading with modern kids' entertainment, offering thousands of titles from beloved series like Disney, Sesame Street, Beatrix Potter, Paw Patrol, and Roald Dahl. Yoto isn't just fun—98% of parents report that it helps their children grow. Leveraging the power of audio, Yoto enhances learning, imagination, and creativity.

How We Use It

While I wouldn’t want Yoto to replace reading, it really has helped my kids learn to manage their own entertainment. I love that with Yoto, there’s the option to use it while resting/napping but also as an accompaniment to play. Listening to audiobooks just doesn’t suck my kids into the other-worldly vortex that screens do, and I feel like they’re able to transition between activities so much better with Yoto than they would if they were watching the TV instead.

My kids can choose their own listening adventures via the self-contained systems (although yes, I will need to get another one to stop them fighting over the one device…) which brings them all the benefits of autonomous playtime.

Just in case it wasn't clear, Yoto has us hook, line and sinker. Yoto cards are shooting straight to the top of upcoming birthday and Christmas lists, and you can bet your bottom dollar it'll be coming overseas with us in a couple of months—it's even got its very own Adventure Jacket, dontcha know!

Introductory Pricing for Yoto Australia

Aussie families can access Yoto at special launch pricing until 31 August 2024. This includes the Yoto Player 3rd Generation priced at $149.00, Yoto Mini priced at $99.00, plus Yoto Cards and accessories including Adventure Jackets and Headphones also have introductory launch offer pricing. Run, don't walk!

Browse the Aussie store here, and start changing the playtime game in your household.

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