Audio books are a fantastic way to engage kids with stories, and the Voxblock is a fun new way to play them.
This straight out the box player is extremely simple to operate, with zero set-up required. Just open the box and it’s ready to go.
Disclaimer: We were gifted our Voxblock.
Voxblock quick verdict
With no set-up or wifi required the Voxblock is the perfect choice for parents wanting a no-fuss simple story-telling device for their kids.
The Voxblock very much reminds me of the cassette tape players I played my own audio books on when I was a child. But it’s a much more fun format with book “blocks” rather than tapes.
It’s ideal for travel – as kids simply back the lightweight device in their backpack and can play any story they choose while on the go.
How does Voxblock work?
The Voxblock is a screen-free audio player for younger children that is operated by simply placing a story block on top of the device.
Once that is in place the story will begin to play automatically, and a green light shows on the front in play mode. There is also a battery indicator light that will turn red when the device needs charging.
Kids can adjust the volume skip forwards and backwards through chapters or return right to the beginning by pressing and holding the back button.
The Voxblock has a headphones jack, but will not work with Bluetooth headphones.
The on/off switch is located in the groove where the story blocks are placed.
Charging is done with a USB-C charging cable that comes with the Voxblock.
Operating it is clear and simple for kids – it’s pretty intuitive and my six-year-old knew exactly what to do with it without being told.
If your child wants to switch stories they can do so, but the device will remember where they got to with the last story. So it won’t autoplay from the start after the book has been removed from the device.
What about the battery life?
Voxblock boasts its player’s battery life can last for days, not just hours.
My kids used theirs for days straight out of the box without needing to charge it so I think this is a big plus, especially if you want to take it travelling or to a restaurant for example. Once you’ve charged it, you can feel confident it won’t cut out on you after a short play.
Key features of Voxblock
- Size: 30cm by 12cm by 3cm
- Over 120 stories available to buy
- Colourful bumper available in red, green or orange
- Audiobooks are made of recycled card
- Can be played with or without headphones (headphone jack at base of the player)
Range of stories available
On the Voxblock store you can search for audiobooks by age to narrow down the search for appropriate books for your child.
There are old classics such as A Bear Called Paddington, Peter Pan and A Christmas Carol, as well as modern stories like the Alex Rider books and Konnie Huq’s Cookie and the Most Annoying Boy in the World.
How does Voxblock compare to other audio players?
The biggest difference between Voxblock and the key competitors such as Yoto and Toniebox is that it does not connect to wifi.
Whereas Yoto and Toniebox both require wifi connections in order to play a new story for the first time, the Voxblock is ready to go right away.
On the flip side, Voxblock has no external controls via an app like Yoto and Toniebox does.
So if your child has nodded off listening to their Voxblock, you’ll need to sneak into their room to switch it off manually, rather than from an app.
But just to add you can set the Voxblock into “sleep mode” by pushing the two skip chapter buttons together and holding until you hear a tone.
You’ll then see the status light turn to orange.
Sleep mode means the Voxblock plays for just 20 minutes then automatically shuts down. So that’s ideal for when you want to allow your child a short burst of an audiobook as they go to sleep.
What age is Voxblock for?
I would pitch Voxblock as being ideal for toddlers through to early primary years – so ages three to six.
There are plenty of stories to appeal to older kids in the library however, including ones that kids aged 8 to 12 will enjoy.
It’s ideal for kids who would love an audiobook player but have poor or no wifi connection in their bedroom.
How much is the Voxblock
Purchasing just the player costs £39.99, but you’re better off getting the starter pack which includes a colourful bumper and three stories, costing £59.99.
There are four themed starter packs – younger kids, older kids, family favourites and bedtime stories.
That £59.99 cost is the same as a Yoto Mini – although Yoto Mini does not include any Yoto Cards at this price or case for the device.
The audiobooks cost from £5.99.
Our family Voxblock review
I love how easy the Voxblock is to operate and it’s the perfect size for little hands to use.
This is a great audio player for using on the go, and will be especially useful for holidays when I want the kids to have something to keep them entertained somewhere without wifi, like on a plane or train.
I love the pretty illustrations on the front of the Voxblock audiobooks, which look and feel like miniature books themselves. I would say the design of the actual blocks is part of the fun for kids.
Plus the device itself and audiobooks can be lined up on a bookshelf, alongside your child’s books, when not in use.
It’s reassuring to know the blocks are made from recycled wood and I love the range of stories already available for the Voxblock.
My kids were really excited to give this audio player a go, although I would say it’s been more interesting to my six year old than my eight year old daughter.
They’ve both found it very easy to use and have been engrossed in the stories that came in our family favourites pack.
All in all a great fun audio player if you don’t want something that requires wifi to set up or operate on a daily basis.
