My kids take the YOTO Mini Player everywhere and here’s why you should invest in one

The Yoto Mini Player is the smaller music box to the Yoto Player, which is brilliantly portable and easy for little hands to operate. Yoto's Mini Player can be used to listen to your favourite stories by inserting the brand's Yoto cards. From The Gruffalo to Peppa Pig, the Yoto Mini and the Yoto Player can also help toddlers learn about hundreds of different educational topics. You can pick up Yoto story cards about space, engines, numbers, shapes and plenty of bedtime options.

With all this fun to be had, it's worth noting that the Yoto Mini Player will also last up to 14 hours on one charge, can be controlled using the Yoto app, and includes additional features such as Yoto daily, Yoto radio, sleep sounds, pixel display, a day and night clock and more.

Important safety warning about the Yoto Mini Player

The team at Yoto have brought an important safety warning to our attention that you need to be aware of. At time of publishing, there have been seven incidents globally - one in the UK and six in the US - of the battery in the Yoto Mini overheating when at a high state of charge. While there have been no reported injuries because of this issue, it's vital for families to be aware of this issue as Yoto are taking the matter extremely seriously.

And don't worry if you own any of the other Yoto products, as only the Yoto Mini uses a battery from this supplier.

If you own a Yoto Mini player, the current advice is to stop using your device. Yoto are also providing all Yoto Mini users with a free, Yoto Mini Smart Cable (one per device) which can be ordered through their dedicated website. Once you've entered the required details, your Yoto Mini Smart Cable will be sent free of charge within a matter of days.

As a precaution, customers should stop using their Yoto Mini until they receive their new Yoto Mini Smart Cable. Once received, only use the Yoto Mini Smart Cable to charge your Yoto Mini.

Testing the Yoto Mini Player

The Yoto Mini is a small cube-like audio device, which is easy to transport. It can be turned on using the button on the right side of the device. It has a small pixelated screen and is essentially a story box, that plays stories and music using Yoto story cards. My children, 4 years old and 2 years old both found it easy to use the Yoto Mini player, handling the device, it's audio volume toggles and inserting cards with ease.

The audio device is aimed at children aged three and over. However, their product cards are suitable for children from birth to 12-years-old. It is easy to find age-appropriate stories on their website via their filter settings. The Yoto story library has a vast selection of stories. You can buy the cards from Yoto directly and on Amazon.

One of the benefits is the reduction of screen time, as the Yoto Mini does not use a camera, a microphone, it simply has a pixelated section to show some animated images as Yoto story cards are played. This was great with my kids as they would sit their, listening to the Yoto and either playing with their toys, or even flicking through books.

The Yoto story card selection is brilliant and work with both this Mini Player and Yoto's larger device, the Yoto Player. You can also control the Yoto via the Yoto app, which we mainly use for things like the Yoto Toothbrush timer! Yes, the Yoto Mini and the Yoto Player comes with TONS of extras. We love the Yoto Daily and the Yoto Radio.

It also gives parents the ability to change the controls and settings, and do things like check the charge of the mini device. You can even check what's playing on the Yoto Mini and the Yoto Player at the same time - allowing you to set a timer and volume without disturbing little ones time with their players. You can have multiple Yoto devices on the same app, which is fantastic as you can combine the libraries under one parent account, perfect if you have a Yoto Player and a Yoto Mini in your household.

Another great feature is that once you've used a Yoto story card in your device, it automatically detects it on the Yoto app, meaning you can listen to the story cards from your smartphone, without the Yoto Mini. This is great for when you're out and about and haven't brought the Mini with you, or forgotten it on trips.

The Yoto Mini is £59.99 and well worth the money. The device is child-proof, and virtually unbreakable. The sound quality is good and does not reach an ear-offensive volume, but is clear enough to light up a whole room. My little ones use the Yoto Mini with and without headphones. You can also connect the Yoto Mini to other devices and use it as a standalone speaker.

The Yoto Mini is 40 x 70 x 70 millimetres. It’s lightweight and can be carried by a child with Yoto's colourful and easy-to-use Yoto Mini Adventure Jacket! It's one of those devices that doesn't feel like you're carrying extra weight, which as a parent is gold.

The Yoto Club is also an option. It's a subscription-based service which I can get behind. It not only saves you time but money. Each month the Yoto club chooses the best new age-appropriate stories and sends them straight to your front door. If you aren’t a fan of the stories they have picked, you can change them for one of eight other choices. This club also entitles you to ten per cent off each future purchase and delivery. For only £9.99, I think it’s very reasonable.

Final thoughts on the Yoto Mini Player

I love popping on the cute little adventure jacket and listening to the Yoto Mini at home or while in the park with my two children. I don't have to worry about battery life as it literally lasts forever. It's well priced, as it will last your kids for years - a huge investment in my eyes.

It's a huge plus that it takes my kids away from screens, and in this digital world, is a huge bonus. On top of that, it also acts as a great winddown option for my two, with an additional bit of encouragement with the Toothbrush timer - so fun! Our family loves that we can listen to our favourite stories, listen to new stories, plus learn about different cultures, things like engines, and the added soundscapes and meditation options. It's. a well-rounded experience that benefits the whole family.

Maria Martin is Digital Group Editor for Yours.co.uk and Motherandbaby.com. She is a mum-of-two with a passion for helping women from all walks of life – from supporting breastfeeding mothers with expert advice to encouraging conversations about mental health. In her professional role, she has over 10 years' experience in the digital world, including editing articles, focussing on SEO, social media engagement, picture researching and video editing.