Skylight Buddy: A Device Designed to Ease Kids Into Daily Routines

The company known for its popular digital calendars has released a new device aimed at children ages 4 to 10 called the Skylight Buddy. It's designed to help young kids independently stick to daily routines, such as brushing their teeth or getting ready for a bath, without needing constant reminders from parents.

In one family's experience with their four-year-old son, who cannot yet read, the device proved surprisingly effective. Skylight Buddy combines text with picture icons to remind kids of their morning and evening tasks, making it usable even for children who haven't yet learned to read. After nearly two weeks of use, the boy became genuinely engaged with completing his tasks, and his favorite part of the day became the moment the device congratulates him on finishing everything at bedtime.

Features and Design

Some features require a paid subscription, but children can still use and enjoy the core functions without one. The device has no microphone or camera, making it a safer option to keep in a child's bedroom. It also integrates smoothly with Skylight's digital calendars for households that already use one.

The device stands just under 7.5 inches tall and features a touchscreen with a 1024 x 600 resolution. It has a large yellow half-circle button for selections, volume controls, two speakers positioned on each side, and a base that doubles as a dim night-light. It comes with a power cord that isn't very long, so it needs to be placed on a tabletop near an outlet. An optional silicone case is available for $20 in purple, green, or blue, while the device itself comes only in white.