10 Reasons Why the Yoto Player is My Pick for THE Christmas Present of the Year
If you’re on the hunt for a screen-free, engaging, and long-lasting toy, let me introduce you to my pick of the season: the Yoto Player. As a parent of two energetic boys (aged 3.5 and 1.5), I’ve seen my fair share of toys, but the Yoto Player has quickly become our most used item—daily, in fact! Here’s why it’s not just another gadget but a game-changer for both parents and kids.
1. No Screens – Hooray!
We’re big on limiting screen time, and the Yoto supports that beautifully. It has a small pixel display that shows simple images related to the songs or stories, but it’s totally static—no overstimulation here!
2. Kid-Friendly Controls
Our boys can both use the Yoto independently (with supervision, of course). Even at their young ages, they quickly figured out how to swap out cards and adjust the volume. It’s simple and intuitive for little hands.
3. The Toy That Grows With Them
Yoto offers a wide variety of cards, so it’s not just a toy for now—it’s a long-term investment. With audiobooks, music, and educational content, I can see our kids using this well into their pre-teen years!
4. Encourages a Love of Reading
As an OT, I’m all about encouraging literacy, especially for boys (I could get on a soap box here but I’ll save that for another blog!). The Yoto offers a brilliant way to get kids into audiobooks, and we can match the cards with physical books from op/charity shop to encourage reading along. It’s a win-win.
5. Durable and Built to Last
We have two very active boys, and the Yoto has withstood the test of time—and tiny hands! The cards themselves are super durable. We haven’t broken or lost a single one yet, and let’s be real, they’re about as tough as hotel key cards!
6. Make-Your-Own (MYO) Cards Are a Game-Changer
I was hesitant about the MYO cards at first, but they’ve become a favorite in our house. Once you get the hang of it, they’re a breeze to set up, and the customization is endless. We even brought a few with us when we moved from the UK. Here is a link to our pages we have made – completely free!
7. The Yoto Community Rocks
I’m part of a few online groups, and the Yoto community is amazing. From sharing MYO labels to storage hacks and sales alerts, it’s great to be part of a supportive network of parents. Check out your local ones on Facebook – they are location specific.
8. It’s Not Just for Home Use – I Use It for Work, Too!
As a therapist, I’ve found the Yoto helpful for work. It’s fantastic for kids with challenges who might struggle with more complicated devices. I use it for therapeutic listening interventions, and I’m excited to try some yoga cards for mindfulness exercises.
9. Stellar Customer Service
I’ve had to contact Yoto’s customer service a couple of times (our Gen 2 charger broke), and they were fantastic. They handled the situation with professionalism and really put our minds at ease, especially when concerns arose over battery issues with the older Yoto Mini.
10. Simply the Best
Our Yoto Player is the most-used toy in our house, hands down. We take it everywhere, especially the mini—it’s so easy to travel with! We’ve got a Gen 2 (waiting on that replacement charger), a Gen 3, and a mini. In fact, we love it so much, we’ve bought three more as Christmas gifts for friends and know at least two friends of the family who’ve done the same.
Pro Tip: We aren’t currently in the Yoto Club, however we were when we lived in the UK and would recommend for those starting out! They have changed the options since I was part of it but certainly something to look into for free shipping and discounts. You can also get a referral discounts from friends who have it too – which is 10% off as well. I can’t work out affiliate links etc (I did try but its far too complex for a busy working Mum!!) so my suggestion is to send this blog to your friends with your referral codes! You get the points, and I get more eyes on my blog win-win!
Pro Tip: If you’re getting a Yoto, make sure you also grab the Adventure Case—it’s an absolute must. I wouldn’t have ours without it. We also use an extra 3D-printed case and strap for the Mini when traveling. See ours below when we were recently in hospital – we had our blue tooth headphones (just off amazon) connected while we waited! 10/10
Bonus Tip: The Yoto card cases are great, but I know there are some affordable hacks from Officeworks for storing them, too! Keep an eye out for sales if you’re looking to stock up.
In short, if you’re after a versatile, screen-free, and parent-approved gift that grows with your child, the Yoto Player is your best bet for Christmas this year!
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