I wish I’d known about this cracker of an Alexa feature for kids sooner
27/11/2024
Translation: Katherine Martin
Since we activated Alexa’s monster-scaring feature, my kids have felt safer. In fact, it’s super fun for them to use.
As great as I think Halloween is, it had one major drawback for our family this year. It made my kids even more afraid of monsters, ghosts and various other non-existent spooks. I reckon that’s completely normal for children of their age (they’re two and five years old). Now that I mention it, I used to be afraid there were wolves under my bed. Every night, my mum would have to shine a torch under there just to make sure.
Even so, my kids’ monster-related hysteria was starting to bug me. Until I managed to nip the whole thing in the bud in one fell swoop, that is. Alexa – which didn’t exist back when I was in nappies – has a great feature that’s helped me and my kids. Here’s how it works. My son asks Alexa to check the room for monsters. This activates a beeping sound and Alexa’s light starts flashing dramatically, indicating that the room’s being scanned for spooks.
Alexa never finds any monsters
Alexa never finds any monsters, partly so as not to unsettle children. After the scan, the voice assistant asks my sons, «Should I sound the monster alarm to be on the safe side?» And of course, they’ll invariably say yes. Alexa then plays a high-frequency alarm before announcing, «No monsters here». She also says she’ll make sure no new monsters show up and wishes them a good night. Much to my kids’ relief.
We now use the feature every day – if not several times a day – because it’s so much fun.
How to activate Alexa’s monster-scaring feature
Monster Alarm is a free Alexa skill. To set it up, you’ll need the Amazon Alexa app. After opening that, click More, then Skills & Games. Once you’ve done that, search the word «Monster».
Source: Anne Fischer
All you have to do after that is click Launch and it’s good to go.
Which Alexa skills have made your life with young children easier? Let me know in the comments.
Header image: Anne Fischer
A true local journalist with a secret soft spot for German pop music. Mum of two boys, a dog and about 400 toy cars in all shapes and colours. I always enjoy travelling, reading and go to concerts, too.