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Mommy Moments with Sasha Marina is BrownStyle Magazine‘s new column that encourages moms to practice mindfulness and create a soft life that speaks to their souls. From adventurous family trips to products that make parenting a little easier, learn how the mother-of-two is navigating motherhood one day at a time.
Keeping kids entertained has become a daunting task in the age of handheld devices. As young, full-time entrepreneur parents, we initially embraced the convenience of a “child-friendly” iPad when our firstborn arrived. Let’s just say it wasn’t exactly what we expected.
Keeping Our Little One Happy On The Road
Our 1-year-old son Marcel was handed his first iPad loaded with educational apps, PBS kid shows, and baby-friendly games during our family road trips. It initially seemed like the perfect solution— a portable babysitter for on-the-go moments. Unfortunately, all that glitters isn’t gold.
A travel-loving baby from the start, he soon transitioned to forward-facing seating. As he grew, the trips got longer, and simple toys like action figures and cars no longer held my growing toddler’s attention.
Enter The Cellphone
When the iPad without internet wasn’t enough, we graduated to a cellphone— a completely different beast. With infinite access to content, cell phones posed challenges in monitoring what Marcel could see and do.
Despite our best efforts to balance screen time with toys, music, and conversation, the phone often felt like the undefeated champion of car rides.
Minimizing Screentime
On a mission to lessen his screen time, we discovered two game-changing solutions that I think every parent needs to know about. Introducing the GO Deck and the YOTO Player.
Below, find out how these gems helped us reclaim family time and keep our son happily engaged during our family trips.
The GO Deck: A Trivia Game For All Ages
I was intrigued when Deanna, a fellow mommy-preneur, introduced us to her trivia game designed to keep families engaged without the need for technology.
The GO Deck is a family-friendly trivia set with 40 cards across four categories: Guessing, Words, Music, and Travel. Each card offers child-level complexity options, but adults can get competitive too.
We tested the GO Deck during a road trip, and it was an instant hit! From challenging guesses to silly word games, it kept all of us engaged and laughing. The best part? My son now asks for the GO Deck whenever boredom strikes on car rides. It’s become a staple in our vehicle, proving there’s life beyond the phone screen.
The YOTO Player: Screen-Free Fun For All
Looking for a toy that allows your child to read, learn, and play music without a touchscreen? Allow me to introduce you to the YOTO Player (available on Amazon).
This screen-free audio device is perfect for kids ages 3-12+, and it doubles as a room thermometer, night light, clock, and Bluetooth speaker. It even has a 24-hour battery life!
Marcel picked his favorite audio cards, including 5-Minute Marvel Stories, KIDZ BOP, Ladybird Language Stories: My First Words in Spanish, and DINOSAURS.
Setting up the YOTO Player was a breeze, and Marcel took to it immediately. His favorite? KIDZ BOP— it’s been on repeat in our house for months! The storybook audios are also a lifesaver at bedtime, helping both kids wind down effortlessly.
My Mommy Opinion
The GO Deck and YOTO Player have brought much-needed balance to our family’s tech use. They’re fun, educational, and, most importantly, allow us to create meaningful moments together without relying solely on screens.
Whether it’s a trivia challenge on the road or dance parties with KIDZ BOP, these tools remind us that connection matters most.
