How Your Kids Can Use Google Home
Sometimes I hear the voice of my four-year-old daughter in another room and wonder who is she talking to? And then I’ll understand, oh, this is Google Home , the smart Wi-Fi speaker with voice control that has become her little buddy. (Yes, I understand how strange this sentence sounds.)
The future is here, and there are many ways Google Home can help and keep kids entertained. They just need to start any command or question with “Ok Google” or “Ok Google”.
Here are some ideas to get you started. (Note: Check out similar guides for other smart assistants soon.)
Call grandmother
You can make phone calls from home, which is convenient for children who do not yet have telephones. Grandma and grandpa would love it. Also, if they have their own Google account with contacts, you can add one so that when they say, “Hey Google, call Dad,” Home can hear their voice and call Dad, not yours .
Get help with your homework
Google Home can … Google. Children may ask questions that they do not understand, and answers to them can be found from reliable sources. For example: Hello Google, who has the most signatures on the Declaration of Independence? Hi Google, what’s the capital of Arkansas? Hi Google, how many different shark species are alive today? Hello Google, how far is the moon? Hello Google, what is the spelling of “alien”? He even answers questions that you might not hear every day. Ok Google, what’s the gestation period for camels? (That’s about 410 days if you’re wondering. Phew.)
Play games
We played Mad Libs with Google Home and it was silly, and the result is a story of nuns with sticky armpits. There are also other simple games that kids can play: The Hangman, Ding Dong Coconut (a memory game in which you associate words with sounds), Name Game (you start with a name and then come up with words that rhyme with it). Magic Door (optional adventure game), Akinator the Genie (character guessing game) and Magic 8 Ball.
To further empower kids’ brains, Home has a variety of quizzes, including America’s presidents and maths. The most elaborate game seems to be “I’m Feeling Lucky” – a trifling show with a buzzer, audience reactions and stinging witticisms from the host. It supports multiple players making it a fun family night out.
Listen to stories
Saying “Ok Google tell me a human story” or “Ok Google tell me a year’s story” will replay an interview with a real person from the StoryCorps collection. A great way to introduce kids to those who have different experiences from their own.
Settle a dispute between siblings
Children can’t decide who will be the first to choose an evening movie or try out a new scooter? Flip a virtual coin. Just say, “Ok Google, flip a coin.” Made. No more complaints that it was a gimmick or that it bounced off Mom’s hand. There is also a virtual dreidel and virtual dice if you want to dream up.
Have fun
Home knows how (to put it mildly) to have fun. He could tell jokes ( “What is your favorite snack at the sea monster? Ships and dipping.” Yes-dum-bum, chshshsh). He can also make animal sounds, sing songs and beatbox (or, well, he tries.)
Enable subtitles
If your child is watching TV, say, “Ok Google, turn on subtitles (or subtitles).” An easy way to help them acquire reading skills .
Meditate
When the kids need a little time, ask Home to open the Headspace. He will play one of three different free meditation sessions, only two minutes long.