This Yoto cards for older children post contains affiliate links. Yoto player previously gifted for review
We’re big fans of the Yoto Player in this house, having not only amassed quite the collection of Yoto cards, but listening to Yoto daily on our Yoto Mini each morning during breakfast and sleep sounds and stories on the Yoto Players in my kids bedrooms as part of the bedtime routine.
One of the questions we get asked the most is – What age is the Yoto suitable for and Is Yoto suitable for older children? As a Mum to both a six and nine year old, I thought it would be helpful to share our experience, including insights into my eldest daughter’s favourite features of the Yoto player and the Yoto cards for older children that she has particularly enjoyed.
If you’re new to Yoto, you may find it helpful to read my other posts first, including my full Yoto player review and Yoto Mini review, as well as our round up of the best Yoto Cards for all ages.
What age is the Yoto suitable for?
The Yoto player and Yoto Mini are recommended for children over 3 years of age, but with a wide range of Yoto cards to suit every age group, it can be enjoyed by children of all ages (and grown ups!) alike.
My daughters are six and nine years old and use their Yoto players independently, both favouring different types of content.
At six years old, children will love the Yoto short stories, Yoto music cards and the Yoto daily podcast – something that we listen to every day during breakfast. They’ll also love the comfort of the Yoto nightlight and the addition of a digital clock which can help them learn the time.
My eldest is 9 and uses the Yoto slightly differently. At 9 children will love the longer Yoto chapter stories, listening to a chapter or two each night. They may also enjoy the meditation Yoto cards, sleep sounds and sleep radio that can help to help calm and relax their mind before bed.
Is the Yoto suitable for older children?
Yes – the Yoto player, Yoto mini and yoto cards can all be enjoyed by older children.
Unlike the Tonies toniebox, which we feel is better suited to preschoolers and young children, Yoto has a wide (and expanding) range of Yoto cards for older children. These include fiction and non-fiction titles as well as content to help children manage their emotions, reduce anxiety or simply sleep better at the end of a busy day.
Whether it’s an educational yoto card to help them learn more about the world around them, an inclusive story of hope and acceptance, or a magical adventure for some much needed escapism, here are the best Yoto cards for older children you can buy today.
Please note – the Yoto library is updated regularly – if you’d like to see all the Yoto cards for children aged 9 and above, visit the Yoto store here.
Best Yoto Cards for older children
1. Wonder
Price – £12.99 | 7 hours 9 minutes
You may have seen the film starting Julia Roberts and Owen Wilson, but the book Wonder is an absolute joy of a read. 10 year old August (Auggie) wants to be just like every other 10 year old kid but born with a severe facial deformity, life has never felt that way.
After being home schooled most of his life, Auggie is starting school and all he wants is to be accepted.
This story is absolutely beautiful, with some fundamental life lessons about inclusion, individual differences and kindness as well as the importance of friendship and treating people the way you’d like to be treated. I think every child should read this book to understand the impact of words and the importance of compassion. Be warned – if you listen alongside them you may shed a tear or two!
2. The Good Turn
Price: £9.99 | Running time: 7 h 13 min
The Good Turn is great book for middle grade readers that can introduce children to the topic of racism and prejudice in both an educational and insightful way. The lead character, 11 year old Jopephine, is keen to make a difference and have an impact in her local community.
Inspired by historical figure Josephine Holloway who created the first Girl Scouts group for Black girls in America, Josie creates her own group called The Copseys.
When they stumble across an abandoned factory with two tatty armchairs and an old photograph, they make it their mission to solve the mystery.
Engaging and captivating with some educational themes and life lessons.
3. Minecraft: The Island
Price £12.99 | Running time: 6 hours 17 minutes
Kids absolutely love playing Minecraft but now they can listen to this immersive world too thanks to the first-ever Minecraft novel that is a recent addition to the Yoto library.
Narrated by legend Jack Black, the story is told through the eyes of a character who has just landed on the island, requiring courage and creativity to explore, find loot, and defat undead mobs – almost like a play guide in the form of a story!
Whether they’re new to this crazy world of blocks or an expert, they’ll love this gripping and fast paced Yoto card for older kids – more of the same please Yoto!
4) Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief
Price: £14.99 | Running time: 10 hours 3 minutes
Whether they’ve seen the films already or not, Percy Jackson and the lIghtning Thief is a thrilling story (the first in a triology in fact) and makes the perfect adventurous Yoto card for older children.
Percy is the half blood son of a greek god and is accused of stealing a lighting bolt from Zeus, God of the Sky.
Percy goes on a mission to find the lightning bolt he’s been accused of stealing and return it to its owner – but can he do so before war erupts?!
This book is a bestseller and with good reason – if your kids love Harry Potter, they’ll love this suspense-building audio from Jesse Bernstein, it’s a great Yoto Card to whisk them off to an imaginative new world before bed (and the next two Yoto cards will be waiting for them to pick up next). You can also buy all three as a Percy Jackson collection if you prefer, which will save you around £10 than buying individually.
5. Danny Chung Does Not Do Maths
Price £9.99 | Running time: 4 hours 39 minutes
Danny loves art, but hates maths, so why does everyone expect him to be good at it?!
Danny’s bedroom is the one place he can be himself, so when his parents put in a bunk bed and tells him he’s getting a surprise, he’s more than a little unsettled when his ex-maths-champion grandma comes to say. Nai Nai doesn’t speak a word of English and babysitting his grandmother was not how Danny wanted to be spending the holidays.
A fun, heartwarming tale that covers topics such as prejudice and multi generational bonds.- the ending is absolutely perfect.
6. Kay’s Anatomy
Price £9.99 | Running time: 5 hours 36 minutes
If you’re looking for educational Yoto cards for older children that can not only teach them something new but also have them literally laughing out loud, you can’t go wrong with Kay’s Anatomy.
Written by a doctor, this child friendly delve into the world of the human body covers everything from their skin, heart, lungs and brain as well as reproduction, life and death, and germs. Whilst factual, its also packed full of some humour, answering some of life’s most important questions such as “Are bogeys safe to eat?” “Why do I get pins and needles?” and “What is the point of my belly button?”
Having read the book, I was sure that we’d miss the fantastic illustrations (which are great) but it works just as well on audio too, A real treat!
7. Matilda
Price £9.99 | Running time: 4 hours 18 minutes
A story that needs no real introduction, this classic story by Roald Dahl has grown hugely in appeal in recent months thanks to the release of Matilda The Musical.
Ideal for book worms to listen to a few chapters at a time, the story of magical Matilda, her stupid parents, her delightful teacher Miss Honey and the grotesque Head Mistress Mrs Trunchbull, is a timeless tale that can be enjoyed time and time again.
The best part – Kate Winslet makes the perfect narrator with her calming dulcet tones.
If your child’s really into the Matilda Musical, why not pop the soundtrack onto a Yoto Make Your Own card too?
8. The Creakers
Price £9.99 | Running time: 4 hours 28 minutes
Tom Fletcher is an absolute legend that in the book world can’t seem to step a foot wrong. Whilst the Christmasaurus series is quite lighthearted, The Creakers definitely has more of a mysterious and somewhat thrilling storyline – so possibly better suited to day time audio!
Lucy wakes up one morning to find all of the grown-ups, parents and teachers included, have completely disappeared. She discovers gross and mysterious monsters called Creakers hiding under her bed and finds herself leading a mission to help bring them back.
Lucy is a brave and daring leader (lovely to see) and there are some great themes about celebrating individual differences and diversity too. Be warned it’s quite gross in parts, but kids absolutely love that don’t they?!
How often do they release new Yoto cards for older children?
In recent months, we have seen lots of new cards released that are suitable for older children, with a diverse range of characters and themes. It appears that Yoto are investing significant effort into expanding their library of Yoto cards for older children and we’re really excited to see what comes next.
The good news is, new Yoto cards are appearing almost every month at the moment, with Yoto cards for older children including stories, music, non-fiction titles and more, with themes such as inclusivity, managing emotions and activism for our more opinionated of listeners!
