If you’re looking for a new wrinkle to your bedtime story routine, you should consider giving the Moonlite projector a try. My family was lucky enough to receive one of these for Christmas a couple of years ago and it’s been a huge hit with our preschooler.
What is Moonlite Projector?
The Moonlite projector is a simple, but creative gadget meant to enhance story time. With digital books becoming more and more popular these days, Moonlite uses modern technology, while maintaining the charm of traditional books.
Using an app and the flashlight from your smart phone, Moonlite allows you to project popular children’s stories on the wall’s of your bedroom. Once you’ve purchased the projector and a story reel, your next step is downloading the mobile app which gives you access to the story’s text. In addition to the projected illustrations, each story also comes with sound effects scattered throughout to help bring each book to life!
What books are available?
While the list continues to grow, Moonlite currently offers dozens of popular children’s books. From classics like Eric Carle‘s “The Very Hungry Caterpillar” to Disney-themed stories like “Frozen,” Moonlite covers a lot of ground. Some of our favorites include “Sago Mini on Vacation“, “The Pokey Little Puppy” and “Duck and Goose.”
As the popularity of the story projector has grown, Moonlite has now also expanded to nearly 20 titles in French as well!
For a list of Moonlite’s most recent releases, visit their story library page.
Why should I purchase a Moonlite Projector?
Creativity. The easiest benefit to call attention to is the creativity. While my daughter has always loved reading stories before bed, she gets extra excited anytime we pull out the Moonlite projector. The enlarged illustrations are immediate attention grabbers and perfect for keeping engagement level high. My personal favorite features are the sound effects which are spaced out throughout the book and add a unique element to the experience.
Simplicity. The gadget is incredibly easy to use as long as you have a smart phone with the mobile app downloaded. Once you have all of the pieces you need (the projector, story reel and phone), you simply just clip the projector on your phone and insert the reel. The storybook within the app then shows you the text, where sound effects are and when to turn the reel to the next illustration. It usually turns into an interactive experience in our house, as my four-year old likes to help turn the reel to the next page.
Cost. With the cost of most popular children’s books ranging from $15-$25 at most bookstores, you can purchase a Moonlite projector starter pack (which comes with up to 5 reels) for less than $30. If you just want to try it out with one reel, you can even find the projector for around $8.
Moonlite also allows you to share book codes once purchased. This means if your spouse adds a book on their phone, they can easily extend it to yours as well free of charge. Given the other benefits of the story projector, its easily a worthwhile investment.
Are there any downsides to the Moonlite Projector?
Although I’m a big fan of the projector, there are a few things to be aware of before you make your purchase.
Requires your phone. Because the Moonlite projector requires use of your smart phone, it may not always create an ideal time for reading stories. I’ve certainly had a number of moments where my phone wasn’t charged up when my daughter was ready to read and we had to stick to traditional books. Also, depending on the age of your phone, the app does eat away at your battery pretty quickly (I’ve seen mine drop almost 15% during a 20-minute reading session). The app itself is about 140 MB of space on your phone which is comparable with other popular apps like Pintrest and Spotify.
Multiple Reels. While the majority of stories with the projector are within one reel, some popular books like “Curious George” require multiple reels to get through. This can be a bit cumbersome in the middle of the story when you have to pause and change them out. Even though the illustrations often easily recapture attention, it can be a small annoyance to have a break in the middle of the book.
Age Appropriate. It’s certainly possible for some older elementary kids to enjoy the Moonlite projector, however most of the books are targeted for kids under the age of 6 or 7. The stories are often pretty short and contain simpler themes and colorful characters geared towards toddlers, preschoolers and young elementary children.
Final Recommendation
When you look at the low cost and uniqueness of the product, it’s easy to see why the Moonlite story projector is worth it. While it’s always fun to pick up a new book, the Moonlite projector offers a fun alternative to help mix things up during bedtime reading. If you’re a parent of a child under the age of 7, we definitely recommend giving this one a try!