Is buying a Yoto really worth it?

If you’ve seen my instagram lately, you’ll have seen the Yoto Player pop up again and again. It’s one of those things people either rave about or say, “but do I really need it?” I thought the same. At first, I honestly wondered if it was just another gadget aimed at parents. But after using it day in, day out with my kids, I feel like I can give you the honest lowdown: the good, the bad, and whether it’s really worth the money.

What is a Yoto?

The Yoto is basically a screen-free audio player for kids. Instead of apps and touchscreens, your child puts in a little card, and the Yoto plays whatever’s on it - a story, some music, a learning podcast, even mindfulness exercises.

There are two versions:

• Yoto Player (the bigger one, stays at home)

• Yoto Mini (the smaller, portable one for travel)

Both work with the same cards, and both are simple enough that even a toddler can use them without help.

How we use ours

Both of my kids have a Yoto Mini, and it’s honestly woven itself into our daily routines:

• Bedtime: Perfect for winding down with a story when I’m busy with the other child.

• Learning time: They’ve picked up facts about volcanoes, the water cycle, and electricity without me even realising.

• Travelling: Absolute lifesaver in the car or on a flight, especially as you can plug in headphones.

• Calm down time: When they’re overstimulated, the Yoto helps them regulate without more screens.

And because the cards range from silly songs to history lessons, it’s something they’ll grow with. At the moment, they’re obsessed with Horrible Histories (which also gives me a wave of nostalgia), but I know in a year or two they’ll be listening to different things.

The Pros

• No screens – A guilt-free way for kids to be entertained.

• Portable – especially the Mini, which is small enough for little hands.

• Headphone compatible – gives you peace and quiet when you need it.

• Educational content – there’s cards that teach science, history, mindfulness, and more.

• Durable – mine have been dropped more than once and still going strong.

The Cons

• The price of the cards can add up

• The player itself isn’t cheap , and once you start buying more cards, the cost creeps up and they barely ever do discounts. BUT i’ve currently got them to give me a 10% discount code CC-BUDGETING10 (the minimum spend is £59.99 so if you’re just wanting to order cards maybe team up with a friend so you reach the threshold!) 

You can buy the Yoto mini here

The Horrible History cards here

Julia Donaldson cards here

So is it worth buying?

For us, yes as we use it daily. It’s replaced plastic toys that break in five minutes, it’s genuinely educational, and it’s one of those rare “kid things” that actually grows with them. The Yoto just makes things easier and more child-led.

If you’ve got kids who love stories, facts, and music, and you’re looking for a screen-free option that lasts years, then yes, it’s a brilliant buy.

If you’re on a tighter budget or already have plenty of ways to entertain your little ones, you might decide to stick with what you’ve got – and that’s fine too.

At the end of the day, it’s not a “must-have”, but it’s definitely one of the most useful, clutter-free, and long-lasting kids’ items we own.

My top tip would be

If you do decide to buy one, think of it as a long-term investment rather than a toy. Buy a handful of cards to start with, rotate them, and maybe ask family to give new cards as presents instead of more toys. That way it doesn’t feel like such a big expense all at once.

Use my code CC-BUDGETING10 to get 10% off! (£59.99 minimum spend).