A simple parts guide for families, grandparents, churches, and storytellers who want to build a tap-to-play audio story box.
The Echo-Story Box is more than a Raspberry Pi, an NFC reader, a speaker, and a box. The real key is the Echo-Story software image — the ready-to-use Raspberry Pi setup that brings the whole project to life.
When you join the Echo-Story Skool community, you get step-by-step instructions, access to the Echo-Story Raspberry Pi image, and a place to ask questions as you build. You do not have to figure it out alone.
The community is also where the project grows. You will find ideas for new story cards, ways to use the box with children, parents, grandparents, churches, homeschool groups, and families who want to preserve voices, memories, and meaningful audio experiences.
If you want the parts list, it is below. If you want the guide, the software image, and the support to actually build it, join the Echo-Story community.
Join the Echo-Story CommunityThese are the basic parts used to build an Echo-Story Box. Each product image and button links to Amazon.
This is the NFC reader used to let the Echo-Story Box recognize story cards. Tap a card, and the Raspberry Pi knows which story to play.
A small waterproof speaker with HD sound, long playtime, wireless pairing, and lights. A good simple speaker option for the Echo-Story Box.
A compact USB hub with USB 3.0 and double USB adapter support. Useful when your Raspberry Pi needs more USB connections.
High speed TF memory cards for holding the Raspberry Pi operating system and Echo-Story files. You only need one, but having a backup card is useful.
A power adapter compatible with Raspberry Pi 3, 2, 1, Model B, B+, 3B, 3B+, A, A+, and Zero boards.
A compact Raspberry Pi kit with header, heatsink, USB cable, HDMI adapter, Bluetooth, and onboard antenna.
A 2-in-1 memory card reader for loading the Echo-Story image onto a micro SD card from your computer.
You do not need anything fancy. A small wooden box, craft box, or cigar box can work well. I often find cigar boxes for about $2.99.