'We’re strict on not giving screens a couple of hours before bedtime': How to reduce your child's screen time

Audio players, including Yoto Players and Tonieboxes, will be on many Christmas lists this year. They entertain without internet access and can be a great addition to a calming bedtime routine

Nina Bermingham and her four-year-old daughter Sophie Kavanagh read a story together from the Yoto collection in the playroom at their home in Cork. -Picture: David Creedon

Keeping children entertained while minimising screen time is a common challenge for parents. During long car journeys or bedtime battles, it can be tempting to hand over an iPad to keep the peace.

But there are low-tech alternatives. Screen-free speakers like the Yoto Player and Toniebox entertain without bright displays or internet access. They play educational content, activities, music, and stories from authors such as Roald Dahl and Julia Donaldson.