Launching the first kid’s voice platform

Amazon and Sesame Street approached RAIN to help launch Alexa for kids, an entirely new way for children to interact with technology using voice.

Approach

Amazon and our fine furry friends at Sesame Street approached RAIN to help launch 
Alexa for Kids, an entirely new way for children to interact with technology using voice. Instead of barking orders to your “assistant” (“Alexa! weather!! NOW!!!”), Alexa for Kids reinforces polite interactions so we don’t raise a generation of entitled jerks. Srsly.

Working directly with early childhood professionals, our Skill balanced critical variables like repetition, grammar and language to ensure age-appropriate interactions. Within the experience, kids spoke directly to Elmo and the gang where they chose from a series of games, quizzes and activities. They were informed. They were entertained. That’s right. They were infotained. Take that, kids.

“RAIN created the 1st [branded] Skill… 
they established a process & guidelines that we now share as industry best practices.”

Michelle Levine
Senior Business Development Manager,
Global Agency Partnerships, Alexa International

Results

5+ min

average session times of over five minutes

60%

re-engagement

73%

also explored additional content

Awards

Top Digital Product 2018

Takeaway

Kids love Alexa. We found that kids anthropomorphize voice technology. Instead of simply seeing Elmo as a canned voice, they often asked if he was hungry, 
what his favorite color is, and lots of questions about poop. Lots. Building from this insight, we’ve since updated the experience to better facilitate freeform play and improvisational interactions.

Whereas “screen time” breeds isolation, voice 
makes tech communal, inviting participation from the whole family. These facts have profound implications when designing for kids.

Let's talk.

Read more about this project

Get Voice on Voice 

RAIN's weekly briefing delivered to your inbox

Every Tuesday, our industry leading briefing covers the latest updates on voice and beyond. Join over 12,000 subscribers and sign up today.