Amazon is offering the $70 Echo Dot Kid’s Edition with built-in parental controls. But you can turn any Amazon Echo into a «Kid’s Edition» model and get the same kid-friendly features for your kids.
Kids learn technology as fast as they grow up.
Alexa is great for answering questions, playing music, controlling your smart home, and telling random, groan-worthy jokes. Once your kids can express themselves well enough, they will start using Echo in a very short time — maybe even faster than you!
Your little one can ask for Echo in their room, but that creates problems. You’ll want to control what they can hear, what music they can play, and when they can use their echo. Clear and present limits and moderation are the cornerstones of parenting, and technology is no exception. Amazon saw this need (and, to be honest, such a business opportunity) and introduced the Echo Kid’s Edition.
This echo has parental controls that include time and content restrictions. With the Amazon Parent Panel, you can prevent Echo from being used before bed or early in the day. You can set age limits for content and revoke access to SmartHome.
Children’s edition costs extra
But the Echo Kid’s Edition is $70, not $50 for the standard Echo Dot. That extra $20 gets you a case and a year’s subscription to FreeTime Unlimited, which offers ad-free radio and hundreds of children’s books. If you have a tablet, you will also have access to movies and series suitable for children. After that free year, FreeTime Unlimited costs $2.99 per month.
If you don’t want to use FreeTime Unlimited then you pay $20 per case. Echo dots are not devices that you take with you or even take with you for any reason. You don’t need a protective case, but if you want one, you can get a colorful case for about $9. Unfortunately, the Echo Kid’s Edition also looks like a second generation Echo, so you’re even paying extra for older technology.
You can often buy a Kid’s Edition with two for one deal — you’ll still spend $70, but at least you’ll get two units, making each one cheaper than the current Echo Dot. Again, Amazon sometimes sells the Echo Dot for $20 or $30.
If you already have a spare Echo or want to save a few bucks, consider converting your stock Echo to a Kid’s Edition model. Best of all, this will work with a full-sized Echo; it doesn’t have to be a dot. If your kids love music, you can give them the best sound out of the box without the need for additional speakers.
How to Convert an Existing Echo to a Children’s Edition
Open the Alexa app and click «Devices» in the bottom right corner.
Click «Echo and Alexa».
Highlight the echo you want to convert and click on its name.
Scroll down to find «FreeTime» and tap it.
