If your child loves playing the same song over and over again (like mine), you no longer have to keep an old phone handy or splash out for a dedicated device like a Toniebox or Yoto Player. Do-it-yourself enthusiast Dr-Harvey has built the BailaBox, an ESP32-based open-source music player for kids that brings back fond memories of CDs and vinyl.
The project is an ESP32-based device that streams music to networked speakers using Home Assistant. Instead of tapping a screen, your little one puts 3D-printed NFC discs on a magnetic RFID reader to play songs, playlists, and audiobooks from Spotify or other services you have available. You can even have it perform whole smart home routines, such as a bedtime mode that dims the lights and queues up sleep music.
The controls are limited to play and pause buttons as well as a large volume knob — thankfully, with adjustable limits. It's battery-powered and charges over USB-C, so your kid can take it around the home.
Dr-Harvey cautions that BailaBox is "not a finished commercial product or a certified children's toy." It's a hobbyist project he's sharing so that you can build it yourself.
You'll need to 3D-print the enclosure, controls, and discs, not to mention order or make the printed circuit boards, source the ESP32 module (the creator uses an ESP32-S3), and find parts like the battery.
Transform an old Android device into a self-hosted music server, pocket player, and retro visualizer.
Once the hardware is complete, though, it's just a matter of installing the needed ESPHome firmware and configuring a Home Assistant package. You'll want to make sure it's safe and working before handing it to children, of course.
The concept of a kids' music player with physical media isn't new. I have a Yoto Player that uses cards to unlock music, stories, and activities, and it's a wonderful way to introduce digital audio without using screens. However, hardware like this can get expensive as you pay for more content. A DIY device like the BailaBox not only lets you use the services you already have, but offers smart home functionality you'll likely never find elsewhere.
