The simple idea that lets grandparents read bedtime stories to grandchildren — even when they’re hundreds of kilometres away

One of the hardest parts of raising children away from family is knowing how much they miss in the everyday moments. Grandparents miss bedtime stories and cuddles on the couch, aunties miss hearing the latest funny phrase or favourite obsession, and children grow up hearing voices less often than anyone would like.

For many Australian families living interstate, technology has become the bridge that keeps those relationships strong. While video calls are wonderful it’s often hard to keep kids focused on having a conversation, one product parents are increasingly turning to is the Yoto Player and, more specifically, its “Make Your Own” cards.

The screen free audio player has become hugely popular with families looking to reduce screen time while still encouraging storytelling, imagination and independent play. Yet for many parents, the real magic is in the personalised cards that allow loved ones to record their own stories and messages.

For our family, those cards have become something far more meaningful than just another bedtime tool.

My son Fred’s grandparents live in Queensland while we are based in southern New South Wales, which means visits are treasured but infrequent. Like many families spread across Australia, we rely heavily on calls, photos and videos to stay connected between trips.

Then Fred’s Poppy and Nanny began recording stories onto Yoto Make Your Own cards.

Now, instead of only hearing their voices on FaceTime, Fred can listen to them whenever he wants. His grandparents have recorded some of his favourite books, while my sisters have joined in too, creating a growing library of familiar voices from people he loves deeply but doesn’t get to see every week.

What surprised me most was how quickly those recordings became part of his routine.

Often he will pull the physical book off his shelf and sits quietly turning the pages while listening to Poppy read in the background. There is something incredibly special and personal about watching a child connect a voice to a story in such a tangible way.

The concept has struck a chord with parents globally, with many sharing similar experiences online. One parent in a Yoto community forum wrote that their toddler “goes bonkers to hear his family,” explaining that relatives recorded favourite books and the child would run to find the matching physical copy while listening. Another parent said living far away from family made the idea especially meaningful.

Yoto itself actively encourages families to use the cards this way, suggesting grandparents record bedtime stories and personalised messages for children to replay whenever they like.

Child development experts have long highlighted the importance of connection, storytelling and repeated exposure to familiar voices in early childhood development. Shared storytelling experiences help children build language skills, emotional attachment and feelings of security. While no technology replaces in person connection, tools that help maintain familiarity and emotional closeness across distance can play an important role in modern family life.

Research into digital family connection tools has also found that shared storytelling and collaborative media experiences can help strengthen intergenerational relationships and create feelings of closeness even when families live apart.

The beauty of the Yoto setup is that it still feels physical. Children insert a card, hold a book, listen to a voice they recognise and engage with the story without the distractions that come with screens or tablets. Reviewers have frequently pointed to the player’s distraction free design and ability to encourage independence and creativity in children. Fred sometimes draws while he’s listening or plays with his trucks.

For grandparents, it is also a way to stay woven into everyday routines rather than only milestone moments.

A recorded bedtime story may seem simple, but for children separated by geography, hearing “Hi Fred, it’s Poppy and tonight we’re reading…” can become a comforting ritual that reinforces connection.

In a world where families are increasingly spread across states, countries and time zones, that kind of connection is really important to build relationships.
Sometimes staying close is just about hearing a familiar voice read your favourite story before bed.