Best Voice Assistant Devices for Kids
1. Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition
The Amazon Echo Dot Kids Edition is a popular choice among parents seeking a voice assistant designed specifically for children. This device features a playful, colorful design and comes equipped with Amazon’s Alexa voice assistant. It includes parental controls that allow parents to manage what content kids can access. For instance, parents can set time limits and filter explicit content.
The device also includes free access to Amazon Kids+, a subscription service that offers thousands of kid-friendly audiobooks, games, and educational skills. The Echo Dot Kids Edition is a safe and engaging option for children, enabling them to ask questions, play music, and set reminders while being supervised by their parents.
2. Google Nest Mini
The Google Nest Mini is an excellent voice assistant for older kids and families, offering a clean, minimalist design and powerful sound. Google Assistant can provide quick answers to any question, educational content, and even trivia games to keep kids entertained and informed.
Parents can take advantage of features like “Family Link,” allowing them to manage their children’s account and set digital wellbeing limits. The Nest Mini comes with a robust programming interface that allows third-party developers to create educational applications that enhance learning experiences for children. Furthermore, the device’s voice recognition technology is highly accurate, ensuring it understands junior users’ commands.
3. Lenovo Smart Clock with Google Assistant
The Lenovo Smart Clock combines the functionality of a smart speaker with a bedside clock, making it ideal for kids’ bedrooms. It features a touchscreen display that can show the time, weather, and even control smart home devices. With Google Assistant embedded, children can ask questions, play music, or set alarms simply by speaking.
This device also includes family-friendly features, such as the ability to play soothing sounds for sleep or educational podcasts. The smart clock encourages kids to take responsibility for time management, promoting good habits while still providing entertainment.
4. Apple HomePod Mini
For families already integrated into the Apple ecosystem, the HomePod Mini is the perfect solution. This smart speaker uses Siri, Apple’s virtual assistant, to answer questions, play music, and control smart home devices.
Parents can create child accounts, enabling kids to interact with Siri for educational purposes without compromising their privacy and security. The HomePod Mini’s sound quality is remarkable, making it an excellent choice for listening to music or audiobooks together as a family. Siri also provides an array of games and trivia activities that can entertain and educate children simultaneously.
5. JBL Link Music
For kids who love music, the JBL Link Music will be a favorite. This portable speaker integrates Google Assistant, allowing children to play their favorite tunes, control smart devices, and ask questions effortlessly.
The speaker is water-resistant, making it an excellent choice for outdoor adventures or playtime in the backyard. Its high-quality audio ensures that music sounds clear and vibrant, making it perfect for family sing-alongs or dance parties. With voice commands, kids can discover new music and explore various genres, promoting a love for different musical styles.
6. Amazon Fire HD Tablet with Alexa
While primarily a tablet, the Amazon Fire HD Tablet comes with built-in Alexa voice assistance. The tablet is equipped with parental controls, allowing parents to curate what apps and content their children can access.
Children can use voice commands to start games, watch videos, or ask questions while gaining knowledge on various subjects. The tablet supports educational apps that can benefit kids in numerous ways, from reading to mathematics. With the Kids Edition, parents can also access Amazon Kids+ for a vast library of child-friendly content, including books, videos, and educational programs.
7. Senstroke Smart Drum Kit
For musically inclined kids, the Senstroke Smart Drum Kit offers a unique experience by combining drumming with voice technology. Paired with an app, this device uses sensors attached to drumsticks, allowing children to create sounds and rhythms that can be controlled using voice commands through an integrated assistant.
This device introduces kids to the world of music in an engaging way, encouraging creativity and rhythm while enabling them to explore various genres and styles. The educational aspect of learning music combined with voice activation techniques makes it a solid choice for budding musicians.
8. Yoto Player
The Yoto Player is a screen-free audio player designed specifically for children. It utilizes voice technology to provide an engaging listening experience, allowing kids to listen to stories, music, and educational content by inserting cards into the player.
Kids can learn responsibility by selecting their cards and curating their listening preferences. This unique approach of combining physical cards with voice technology encourages a love for storytelling and auditory learning. Parents appreciate how Yoto Player limits screen time while still providing entertainment and education.
9. Toniebox
The Toniebox is another innovative solution for passive listening without screens. This soft, durable audio box interacts with figurines called Tonies. Each Tonie tells a different story or plays music when placed on the box.
Children learn to control the content they listen to, fostering a sense of independence. The Toniebox can also record messages, allowing kids to hear their loved ones’ voices, adding a personal touch to storytelling. Designed for safety and durability, it’s perfect for young children who might accidentally drop or bump their devices.
10. Echo Show 5 Kids Edition
The Echo Show 5 Kids Edition provides a blend of video calls, educational content, and voice commands with the advantage of a visual display. Parents can utilize comprehensive parental controls, allowing them to restrict access to specific content and applications.
This device supports skills that encourage learning, such as math games, puzzles, and storytelling. The screen feature can be valuable for visual learners, making this device not only functional but also an educational tool that parents can trust and monitor effectively.
Note on Child Safety
When considering voice assistant devices for kids, it’s crucial for parents to evaluate the device’s safety features, parental controls, and the educational value it provides. Many manufacturers prioritize child safety, ensuring devices fit within the standards of data protection for children.
