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I’m always on the hunt for great travel toys (see my compact toy picks HERE), so I want to share and talk through our newest find! We are new to Yoto, but I am writing a review based on our initial impressions. There are lots of listening devices out there (we also have a Tonie Box and love it at home, but we don’t really travel with it due to the size). With lots of options available, it can be difficult to know which one(s) to choose, but your child’s age, interests, and intended use can be good places to start.
The Player
We wanted to try the Yoto Mini because we were seeking a compact option for travel. They are indeed small. The size is great for little hands, but it’s a smooth little box, so I also purchased a silicone case to avoid a crash test on product durability ;). The small size makes it perfect for travel but also easier to lose, so each option comes with pros and cons, but we knew this going in and selected it intentionally. (If you’re interested in the larger option, the original Yoto is here.)
Like some of the other listening devices, the Yoto Mini has an option for headphones. Our plan is to use headphones for travel and not much otherwise at home.
The Yoto Mini has generally been intuitive for my kids (ages 2 and 4) to explore and use independently. My 4 year old in particular has really been loving it! They both use it every single day in the couple months we’ve had it.
We haven’t used them on flights yet, but we broke them in almost immediately on a road trip and so far I have to say, wow… this is GREAT entertainment for the kids. We’re very happy with them. We took a very familiar road trip and had the smoothest ride we’ve experienced while using these Yoto Minis.
The Cards
To use the Yoto player, you purchase cards to use in the player (these come in small packs or individually). Yoto and Yoto Mini cards are one in the same, so if a family has both, you can share among the devices.
Here’s what I love about the cards so far:
- They are sturdy. Yes, they could get beat up if they’re really put through rough use, but they are about the thickness of a credit card and seem pretty solid for their intended use.
- There are tons of card options. This makes it a toy that can last a long time, both in variety and also in age range. There are audio books, simple songs, familiar story/character options and lots more. The options seem to be pretty endless. This also makes it an easy gift-giving option for friends and family who are looking for gift options for your child.
- You can register the cards digitally to a Yoto app on your smart phone, so that you have access to the card even if you happen to lose it.
When I first purchased the player, Yoto was running a big sale, so I purchased more cards than I was initially gifting and plan to save some for future trips and upcoming birthdays. We purchased the Starter Pack of cards with one of the Yoto Minis we bought(the other was the Yoto Mini alone). The starter pack includes a good variety of cards with stories, songs, and a Create-Your-Own option. My older daughter is really loving the Mindful Piano card, which I love too since it has been a nice source of zen. ;)
We’re creating a collection of cards, but this one in particular is really cute and well-done. It includes a Positive Self-Talk card, a Label Your Feelings card, and a Mindfulness and Movement card. We are loving these! The content is really well done.
I think it was bad timing given that they ran a big sale, but I had a pretty challenging time with shipping speed for the cards I ordered directly from Yoto (they originally sent 3 card packs I did not purchase and none of the 5 packs I did purchase). It took a while to get this sorted out and get the right ones (which I was aiming to have by Christmas but didn’t receive in time, after purchasing on Black Friday). The cards I purchased from Amazon didn’t have the same issue, so if I’m in a hurry or have a specific deadline like a holiday or birthday, I am planning to order from Amazon to get faster shipping.
The Gear
I purchased one Yoto Mini and one Yoto Mini + Starter Pack (one basic pack of cards). The other “gear” that makes the player easier to use includes:
- Silicone “skin”
- Card holder (we have this one and Yoto’s official case is here)
- Headphones
We don’t have a carrying case at this point but I know some families also like these for travel. We’ll probably purchase these before our next international trip!
The Bottom Line
We are loving our Yoto Minis so far! It seems to be a toy that’s perfect for travel (both air travel and road trips) due to its size and compact cards. The age range is wide, so kids of many ages can enjoy. There are tons of card options!
This travel toy gets two big thumbs up from us so far!