Yoto Mini Review: The Best Screen-Free Entertainment for Kids
If you’re on the hunt for the best screen-free entertainment for your kids, look no further than the Yoto Mini!
We’ve owned two Yoto Minis for over a year and they’ve been one of our best kid purchases ever!
In this blog post, we will go in depth on the features of the Yoto Mini, why we prefer it over the original Yoto, and why it makes the ultimate road trip companion for kids.
*Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means if you click on the link and purchase the item, I will receive an affiliate commission at no cost to you. All opinions remain my own.
What is a Yoto Mini?
A Yoto Mini is the smaller version of a Yoto player, an audio player that plays audiobooks using physical cards that a child can swap out on their own.
In addition to the audiobook cards, Yoto has their own podcast, music, and activities which can be played on both the Yoto and Yoto Mini.
➡️ 🎧 Ready to give your kids hours of screen-free entertainment? Grab a Yoto Mini here! 🎧 ⬅️
Yoto Mini: Main Features
The Yoto Mini player is a 2.5″ square audio player featuring two large knobs for easily changing settings, chapters, and volume.
A slot at the top allows for children to insert the story or activity cards of their choice.
The Yoto Mini can be used as a bluetooth speaker, sound machine, and okay-to-wake clock as well! The pixel display shows a fun picture depending on the card used.
Kids can listen through the speaker, or use the headphone jack for personal listening.
The battery life while playing lasts up to 14 hours before needing to be recharged.
Differences Between Yoto and Yoto Mini
The original Yoto player is larger, at approximately a 4″ cube.
In addition to the Yoto Mini’s features, the original Yoto also offers up to 24 hours of battery life, acoustically-engineered stereo sound, and a room thermometer.
They both are able to connect to the app, provide free in-player content, and the cards are interchangeable on both Yoto players.
Although we purchased the Yoto Minis, you can’t really go wrong when choosing between the Yoto vs. Yoto Mini.
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Why We Chose the Yoto Mini Over the Original Yoto Player
We chose the mini player because the size seemed less cumbersome, and the cost was more affordable.
We figured it would be better for travel and the extra features of the Yoto original we couldn’t see ourselves using much.
Why the Yoto Mini is Great for Travel
We are so glad we went with the Yoto Mini because it is incredibly easy to travel with! The small size allows our kids to take it anywhere without taking up too much room.
I can’t tell you the number of hours of silent car rides we have had thanks to the Yoto Mini. It truly is a game changer when it comes to road trips with kids and even traveling with toddlers!
We aren’t the only ones who think so either…the Yoto website claims that “89% of Yoto Mini owners agree it’s made travel easier“.
💡 Pro tip: Get a few new cards right before your long travel days and hand them out throughout the drive! This keeps the content fresh and engaging which is exactly what you need on a long car ride.
➡️ 🎧 Ready to give your kids hours of screen-free entertainment? Grab a Yoto Mini here! 🎧 ⬅️
Yoto Mini Travel Accessories
There are a few accessories we recommend for making traveling with your Yoto easier.
- Card case: Keeps Yoto cards organized so they don’t get lost (because we all know the cracks of car seats are where things go to disappear forever!) We love this case because it is so easy to see the options as you choose your next card.
- Adventure jacket: A silicone case that comes in a variety of fun colors to add a layer of protection.
- Kids headphones: You’ll want a good, comfortable pair of headphones for on-the-go use. These child headphones are our tried-and-true favorite.
The Yoto App
The Yoto App can function as a library to house all of your cards digitally. This is very helpful, especially if you lose a physical card!
It also features additional free audio for you to choose from, and you can even make and record your own cards right in the app!
Yoto Mini Review: Our Experience
We gave our kids Yoto Minis for Christmas two years ago, and they were a hit!
They have been used almost daily since then.
Our kids love the free kids podcast and kids Yoto radio station that is included, along with the wide variety of audiobook cards.
We were pleasantly surprised that there are even more card options than just books.
There are also activities such as “draw along” cards which give step-by-step instructions for drawing, a variety of music cards, and game/activity cards.
When we asked our kids about their Yoto Mini review, they all give two thumbs up!
➡️ 🎧 Buy Your Yoto Mini Here! 🎧 ⬅️
The 10 Best Yoto Cards (In our Kids’ Opinion!)
- Frog and Toad Collection
- Magic Tree House
- Hotel Flamingo
- Draw Along
- Ada Twist, Scientist
- My First Words in Spanish
- Henry Huggins
- The Gruffalo
- Charlotte’s Web
- Chronicles of Narnia
Yoto Mini FAQ’s
What age is Yoto Mini for?
Due to the wide variety of stories (from little kids classics to longer chapter books), it can definitely be used for kids of all ages.
With guardians operating the device, even babies can enjoy music, stories, and the white noise machine feature of the Yoto Mini. Ages 3-12+ can easily operate the player on their own.
Our kids found it very intuitive and were able to use it without help in no time.
Is the Yoto Mini loud enough?
While the original Yoto gets slightly louder than the Yoto Mini, we’ve never had an issue with the volume or wished for more sound.
Does the Yoto Mini come with cards?
Yoto cards are sold separately. The Yoto Mini comes with a USB-C charger and a welcome card.
What is the Yoto Club?
The Yoto Club is a monthly or yearly subscription with three tiered options that gives you access to exclusive content and helps you grow your card library at a discount.
Is the Yoto Club worth it?
We signed up for the Yoto club and are glad we did! It keeps our kids’ collection of Yoto cards fresh and it costs less than buying individual cards, which currently start at about $6.99 each.
The tiered options range from $4.99 per month to $16.99 per month (or less if you pay annually).
Click here to see what all is included in each level of the Yoto Club.
➡️ 🎧 Buy Your Yoto Mini Here! 🎧 ⬅️
Final Thoughts
This wraps up our Yoto Mini review! After using the Yoto Mini (almost daily!) for over a year, we would definitely recommend it to other families.
It is a worthwhile investment for use at home, and traveling with the Yoto player truly makes those travel days easier!
If you have any questions as you consider purchasing one for your kids, feel free to contact us any time. We’d love to hear from you.
Here’s to more effective, screen-free entertainment while traveling with kids!
➡️ 🎧 Ready to give your kids hours of screen-free entertainment? Grab a Yoto Mini here! 🎧 ⬅️
See More Resources for Traveling with Kids:
- The Ultimate Toddler Travel Checklist
- Road Trip Coloring Pages {Free Printable!}
- 18 Brilliant Road Trip Hacks for Kids
- Family Travel Photography Tips for Stunning Vacation Photos
- How to Plan a Family Vacation {6 Easy Steps}
- 11 Genius Road Trip Ideas for Toddlers
- 13 Seriously Fun Activities for Toddlers on a Plane
- Genius Mom Travel Hacks
- The Only Family Beach Vacation Packing List You’ll Ever Need
