Tech is a wonderful thing, but when it comes to your kids, it might all seem a bit much sometimes. We can appreciate our kids using a tablet or even a phone, but it doesn’t hurt to have another source of education and entertainment that doesn’t involve them staring at a screen all day long. Maybe even something that can take the burden off your shoulders when it comes to answering burning questions of the day — like, “Why is the sky blue?”
As an interactive alternative to a tiny video screen, we recommend the Amazon Echo Dot for Kids, a smart speaker that boasts a lot of cool features behind its cute exterior design. From answering those burning questions to helping your child learn to be more independent, the Echo Dot might be the best non-human companion you can have. Plus, it’s on sale for over 50% off right now!
Amazon Echo Dot Kids (newest model), $27.99 (53% off)
The Amazon Echo Dot Kids comes in owl and dragon designs, and at under 4 inches tall and wide, you can place it anywhere from a desk to a bedside table. Once you plug in the power and connect it to Alexa, the speaker is ready to use as a virtual assistant. It will answer questions (a great feature to use when doing homework), read bedtime stories and play music, all based on voice commands.
You won’t lack access to books and games, either. The Echo Dot comes with a free one-year subscription to Amazon Kids+, which features audiobooks as well as interactive and educational games involving popular characters from Barbie to C-3PO. And just like they do with all their kid-friendly devices, Amazon includes parental controls with the Echo Dot that let you filter out specific content for up to four different kids’ profiles. You can also review your kids’ activity or turn off the speaker’s mic for privacy using these controls.
All of the above is just scratching the surface of what the Echo Dot can do. You can pair it with other smart devices such as smart lights, so your kids can turn the lights on and off via voice command. They can also learn responsibilities by taking charge of their routines, from setting reading timers using their favorite characters (using the “Hey Disney!” command) to creating schedules and reminders. And for additional entertainment, they can carry on conversations with the Echo Dot, with the Dot even using the voice of an owl or dragon if requested.
All of this adds up to a speaker that is a great combination of function and fun, as Amazon users have attested. And with a two-year free replacement guarantee if it malfunctions or gets broken, you can rest easy knowing the Echo Dot Kids will be in your home for a while. At a price that’s equivalent to the cost of a couple of books, we call that a bargain — and a great purchase for the growing child in the family!
