Travelling with kids (and the chance to win a set of Yoto Minis)
{in collaboration with Yoto}
You all know by now how much we love the Yoto players and I think this year they have both engaged with them even more! My eldest (7) has always previously preferred the games and interactive elements of the cards (we play Jake Says and Cheese or Chocolate - from the Yoto Daily Games card - most mornings) but now she has fully grasped reading on her own, the audiobook element has really taken off.
It is truly wonderful to see their brains developing and the sense of independence and accomplishment reading brings. My daughter now has increasingly more opinions on what she listen to (the Captain Underpants’ collection is a current winner).
Over summer, as we’re looking for more ways to connect our children with reading and screen-free play, the Yoto Players are essential for us. We took the Yoto Mini on a few recent trips and wanted to share our thoughts:
Screen-free play
We didn’t take any screens on our trip to Rye or glamping with friends. As well as being a conveniently small size the kids can easily carry around, the Yoto Mini has a brilliant podcast every day (Yoto Daily) and its own kid-friendly, ad-free radio station. There’s also a huge library of 1000+ Yoto cards available to buy, full of audiobooks, interactive games and educational content.
Our kids are into different things and it’s fun to see what they are drawn to - our 4 year old likes the cook-along cards and our daughter prefers the short stories and language cards (My First Words in Spanish is used by all of us!).
Yoto Sleep radio
In the day we use the Yoto Radio, which plays a range of music styles but by 6pm we usually switch to the Yoto Sleep Radio for our wind down routine. We still read books with our children at night and this feels a consistent part of our routine which is great to have in place when travelling.
No Wi-Fi? No problem
On the first night we arrived in Rye, we didn’t join the Wi-Fi immediately. As long as you’ve put the cards into the Yoto Player at home whilst connected to the Wi-Fi - the cards still play! I always make sure we put the cards in the players as soon as we open them for a stress-free travel transition.
Make the most of the app
The app is one of my most used on my phone. I use it to set volume limits, change the button functionalities (maybe they use the toothbrush timer a lot? It can be set to the first click of the button!) and play content through my phone when needed. I often connect What’s That Sound or the Yoto Daily Quizzes card through my phone to the car radio, especially if we don’t have the Yoto Mini on us (or more likely: they’re fighting over who gets to hold it). It gives everyone a focus and makes long journeys feel far more enjoyable.
You CAN achieve some quiet time
On the way home from glamping, our son fell asleep so I passed my daughter her Yoto wireless headphones to listen to My First Fairy Tales for some downtime. We got an hour’s peace, too!
Music that adults enjoy too
If our kids are going to insist on playing music through their Yoto Players, at least make it songs we can bare to listen to on repeat! The music selection from Yoto is great - from Elton John to Bob Marley and The Wailers. We don’t feel like we’re compromising and Bob Marley played in any scenario instantly chills the mood.
“Bob Marley made music before he died and posted people these cards so they can listen to it”
Our son, age 4
Making friends
The Yoto Mini created so many bonds on a recent glamping trip with friends. I laid it out with cards and the kids all rushed to it. All the children on the trip were different ages with varying interests (a few hadn’t met previously) and it was incredible to see what each child was drawn to. They immediately worked out what they had in common - “I love The Snowman - does it have this song?!” - and continued to discuss what they loved about the stories. The ‘collecting’ element of the cards is part of the fun.
If I were to pick a set of cards that go down brilliantly, it would be these:
Horrible Histories collection Volume 1
Baking with Yoto - Banana Pancakes
And now for the best part, I have a one-time 10% discount code to use on the Yotoplay.com site (minimum spend is the price of a Yoto Mini at £59.99) - and there’s no expiry date.
PLUS the chance to win a Yoto Mini travel bundle for the family. It includes:
Two Yoto Minis
Two sets of Yoto wireless headphones
Two Yoto Mini travel cases
Two sets of Yoto starter pack cards (for litle kids and big kids)
Two Yoto Mini Adventure Jackets
All you have to do is be a UK or Ireland resident, reply to this email/newsletter (no message necessary!) by midnight 1st July 2025 and we will automatically add you, the winner will be chosen at random 2nd July 2025.
Winner chosen at random. UK and Ireland entries only and only one entry per email address. Prize non exchangeable. If you are successful and do not reply with your delivery details within 3 working days, another winner will be selected. As per GDPR, we will not hold onto your email or email you for anything other than the prize.
This newsletter was in collaboration with Yoto.
I think that’s everything - good luck!
Alex x
Fingers crossed for my grandchildren ❤️
this sounds brilliant, what a great giveaway x