Everything you need to know
How StoryTail works, the sound-rich stories your child will love, and the safety promise behind every single one.
How StoryTail works
graphic_eqSound effects
child_careChild safety
headphonesYoto player
auto_storiesGetting the most
How StoryTail works
What is StoryTail?
StoryTail creates personalised audio stories for children. You tell us your child's name, choose an adventure setting, pick a companion character and select a story theme — and moments later you have a unique, fully narrated story ready to play.
How long are the stories?
Length grows with your child's age. Little ones get shorter stories — around four to five minutes, just right for a bedtime wind-down or a car ride — while older children get longer, richer adventures. Whatever the age, every story is complete, with a gentle beginning, an exciting middle and a warm, satisfying ending.
Who narrates the stories?
Stories are read by warm, expressive voices chosen especially to appeal to children. Different characters sound distinct from one another, so it feels like a proper cast rather than one voice reading everything.
What devices can I play stories on?
Stories are delivered as standard audio files that play on anything — phone, tablet, computer, smart speaker or Bluetooth speaker. They are also fully compatible with the Yoto player (see the Yoto section below).
Sound effects
Do the stories have sound effects?
Yes — and this is what children love most. StoryTail weaves real sound effects into the story at exactly the right moments: rain drumming on a jungle canopy, a rocket rumbling to life, waves crashing, a dinosaur's footsteps going STOMP STOMP STOMP. The sounds are matched to your chosen adventure, so a space story sounds nothing like a pirate one.
How are the sound effects used?
They are placed with care, not sprinkled everywhere. A gentle whoosh or rustle sits under the quiet moments, while bigger, more dramatic sounds land at the exciting peaks of the adventure. The effect is a little audio-drama that keeps young listeners leaning in — without ever overwhelming the narration.
Will the sounds be too loud or scary?
No. Sound effects are kept warm and playful, never startling or frightening, and the narration always stays clear and comfortably in front. Everything is tuned for young ears and quiet bedrooms.
Child safety
How do you keep stories safe for children?
Safety is built into every step. Anything you type is checked before a story is created, the storytelling itself follows strict child-appropriate rules, and every finished story is reviewed again before it is ever narrated. Nothing reaches your child's ears until it has passed those checks.
What topics are never included?
Stories never contain violence, weapons, injury, death, adult themes, romance, horror, dark or frightening content, real-world dangers, unresolved bullying, or any offensive language. Every story ends positively, with your child feeling brave, proud and loved.
Does StoryTail collect data from my child?
No. StoryTail is a service for grown-ups — your child has no account and never interacts with the app directly. The only child-related details we keep are the first name and age you enter to personalise a story, held under your adult account.
Can I listen to a story before my child does?
Absolutely — and we recommend it. Every story is saved to your library, where you can listen to it and read the full text before you press play for your child.
What if I'm not happy with a story?
Simply create another — each one is unique. And if you ever feel a story contains something it shouldn't, please email us straight away at support@storytail.com.au and we will look into it.
Yoto player
What is the Yoto player?
Yoto is a screen-free audio player made for children aged 3–12. Kids pop cards into the player to hear stories, music and podcasts. There is no screen, no browsing and no ads — one of the safest audio devices for young children.
How do I load a StoryTail story onto my Yoto?
Every StoryTail story works with a Yoto Make Your Own card. Download the story from your StoryTail library, open the Yoto app, tap Make Your Own, create a new card and upload the file. Your child inserts the card and the story plays automatically — sound effects and all.
Are StoryTail stories in the right format for Yoto?
Yes. Stories download as standard audio files that work with Yoto Make Your Own cards straight away — no converting or editing needed.
Can I put several stories on one card?
Yes. The Yoto app lets you add multiple tracks to a single Make Your Own card, so you can build a themed collection — for example, all of your child's space adventures on one card.
Getting the most
What makes a great story request?
The more specific you are, the more magical the story. Instead of "jungle adventure", try "a jungle safari where they discover a hidden waterfall". Instead of a plain companion, try "Grandma who calls the child Little Star". Those personal touches create the moments children remember.
What age group are stories best for?
Stories suit children from about 2 to 10. For little ones, gentler settings like a magical garden or friendly farm work beautifully, with lots of repeated sound words to giggle along to. For older children, try bolder adventures like space explorer or pirate quest with themes such as courage or perseverance.
Can grandparents create stories too?
Absolutely — it's one of our favourite uses. A grandparent can create a story starring their grandchild, with a companion named after themselves, and share it in seconds. It's a deeply personal gift that costs less than a cup of coffee.
Which story themes work best?
Themes like kindness, bravery, sharing, trying new things, believing in yourself and being a good friend weave naturally into the adventure — never like a lecture, always like part of the fun.
Ready to create your first story?
Your child's first story is on us — no credit card needed.