iPad for Kids

[dhuba]

If you have college paid for all your children and no other money worries maybe, but whatever happened to good old fashion paper books from the library. This is the budget board and devices that cost hundreds of dollars to do something as simple and pleasurable as reading for an 8 year old is a contradiction.

 

[peyjax]

If you have college paid for all your children and no other money worries maybe, but whatever happened to good old fashion paper books from the library. This is the budget board and devices that cost hundreds of dollars to do something as simple and pleasurable as reading for an 8 year old is a contradiction.

Whatever! Who made you the budget board police??? It is by no means a contradiction. Perhaps in her budget and obviously in others as well it is an option. She posed questions about the expense of apps as that is something to consider in the BUDGET when purchasing a ipad or iphone. Why do people think that if it is not about clipping coupons or adding free buns to your meal at disney it is not budget related??

 

[hopemax]

No kids here, but DH and I have the large 3G version. I feel like I've entered Star Trek world and their data pads. Since you mention how much she likes to read, I think if you feel your DD will take good care of it, it would be a great tool for her. DH uses it to read books during his bus commute, and has no problems with the screen.

I don't know what is all out there for free children's books, but I do know the Oz books and the Anne of Green Gables books are all available for free. There are a lot of classics in public domain. Because copyright laws, are so closely tied to Disney DH and I, when looking for books, refer to them as "pre and post Mickey Mouse." He arrived in 1928, so books published before then you have a good chance of finding for free.

 

[pweyl36]

I am waiting for the 2nd generation to get one for myself.

However, I would have no qualms about letting a responsible 8 year old spend their money on one.

I really dont think their are any responsible 8yr olds, Maybe some of the parents should read Warren buffetts sons new book?

 

[DVCBELLE]

I really dont think their are any responsible 8yr olds, Maybe some of the parents should read Warren buffetts sons new book?

Wow - that is low expectations for a child!!

She told me yesterday that she wants to wait until the fall to see if the price drops or the 2nd generation comes out. I think she is showing a lot of responsibility with her money. She used to have money and have to spend it - now she is doing much better at setting a goal and then waiting for what she wants. I am proud of her for that!

I have decided to let her get one - thanks to everyone who helped for all the info on the apps and letting me know that your kids like theirs!

And for those that are worried about her not reading old-fashioned books - don't worry - she has a closet full of books, reads every book she gets in a day or two and then is looking for more. I like the idea of being able to have the classics at her fingertips. She reads at a very accelerated level and finding new books and series for her is a challenge!

 

[Kit'smommy]

I really dont think their are any responsible 8yr olds, Maybe some of the parents should read Warren buffetts sons new book?

I was a pretty responsible child and took really good care of my things, even at that age.

I have a 6 year old son who is just like me. He is the type of child who actually keeps all the pieces of his Lego sets together even though he plays with them. He keeps up with his Ipod and is very careful with my laptop, when I let him use it. I can see me letting him get one of these at 8.

 

[pweyl36]

I was a pretty responsible 8 year old. I have a 6 year old son who is just like me. He is the type of child who actually keeps all the pieces of his Lego sets together even though he plays with them. He keeps up with his Ipod and is very careful with my laptop, when I let him use it. I can see me letting him get one of these at 8.

There is a difference between being careful with items and being responsible.
Is he responsible enough to be left home alone? And dont say " I would never leave my 8yr home alone." Why hes responsible., see there is a difference.

 

[DVCBELLE]

I would absolutely leave my 8 year old home alone. Except - as you say - I would never leave an 8 year old home alone - and not because I don't think she would be okay on her own - but because there are too many variables in life that she could not handle. If I could be sure an electircal fire wouldn't break out, someone wouldn't break into my home, etc. I would absolutely not worry about her home alone.

There are also different degrees of responsibility in life - taking care of an iPod, iPad, Nintendo DS certainly take les responsibility than staying home alone. Shoot - they take less responsibilty than a dog but I bet if I was letting her spend $500 on her own dog - no one would think twice about me letting her do that. But I for one second would not think she was ready to own one - shoot I have to feed the fish!!!

 

[clarabelle]

My DH has an I-pad.
He likes it for games and movies.
He also has the kindle app and has purchased books for it. I think it is the ideal device for children and travel.
I would make sure I got a good case for it
Congratulations on her first communion

 

[winefairie]

Wow, my dh and I were just talking about letting our ds 10 have one for his birthday. He is going into middle school in the fall and at the orientation they advised parents that the students would need access to a computer as they transition to paperless books available either online for download or be brought home on cd. I thought that a net-book would be nice since they are small and would be lighter to tote around, hubby thought ipad. The college prof having coffee next to us highly suggested the ipad, said that it was designed for use in the educational text book field and that most Univ would be going with online texts in the near future. We are going to get him one and probably his brother who is 8 as well. We feel that it is the wave of the future. But again it is a personal and family choice as to what "guidelines" you in force with the internet/gaming aspect. Just my 2-cents. As for it not being a budget thing, ipad's cost is/will be in the same ball park as a lap top and since the schools are moving in that direction kids will need their own computer system.

 

[DVCLiz]

I have a question - if using "First Communion" money has strings attached, what about "Christmas" money? Does it fall under the same restrictions?

I'm not Catholic so I don't know the first thing about First Communion money - is it a gift to the child to celebrate an important event, like a Scouting award? Is it supposed to be re-gifted as a charitable donation? Only spent on religious items? Please fill me in!!

OP, if your daughter wants an ereader but doesn't want to spend iPad money, a Kindle 2 would be a great choice. Amazon gift cards could keep her in books and there are lots of free classics. I know it is more of a "one use" item (although it does have a basic web browser) but boy would it be a great reader for her. My girls each have one (both passed down from me after I upgraded twice!) and they LOVE them. Just a thought...

 

[DVCBELLE]

I have a question - if using "First Communion" money has strings attached, what about "Christmas" money? Does it fall under the same restrictions?

I'm not Catholic so I don't know the first thing about First Communion money - is it a gift to the child to celebrate an important event, like a Scouting award? Is it supposed to be re-gifted as a charitable donation? Only spent on religious items? Please fill me in!!

OP, if your daughter wants an ereader but doesn't want to spend iPad money, a Kindle 2 would be a great choice. Amazon gift cards could keep her in books and there are lots of free classics. I know it is more of a "one use" item (although it does have a basic web browser) but boy would it be a great reader for her. My girls each have one (both passed down from me after I upgraded twice!) and they LOVE them. Just a thought...

There are no strings attached to 1st Communion Money in my mind. I think everyone would be thrilled that she would be spending it on something she really wants that will last vs. a toy or book here and there!!

We have talked about an e-reader with her and she is thinking about it - my dad has a kindle so when he is in town she is going to check that out. I really think the iPad will have a bigger appeal to her though - particulary b/c she can take it on vacation for movies, books, music, etc. We travel a lot and it would be nice for her to have!!

My biggest concern now is that once she gets one - how will DH and I be able to resist

 

[dvcgirl]

If you have college paid for all your children and no other money worries maybe, but whatever happened to good old fashion paper books from the library. This is the budget board and devices that cost hundreds of dollars to do something as simple and pleasurable as reading for an 8 year old is a contradiction.

There's nothing wrong with paper books. But by the time that little 8 year old goes to college, she will likely be purchasing all of her "text-books" on-line and loading them onto an iPad-like device. That's just the way we're heading....

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Is this app only for ipad or can the iphone utilize this? What is the actual name of the app as I cant find it under "ibooks"
TIA

It's an app for the iPad only and yes, the app is called iBooks. If you're searching for it in the App store on your iPhone you won't see it. It only appears if you search the App store on a PC/Mac or the iPad itself.

On the subject of printed books, DD10 is an avid reader so she loves being able to get books 'on demand' and read them on her iPad. She has the Kindle app on her iPod touch but with the big screen on the iPad she prefers it best.

 

[AmberHeartsDisney]

I love my iPad ( im at 25 year old kid)

 

[r&kmommy]

I know OP has a resolution to her question, but I just wanted to point out that it is VERY RUDE to ASSume that someone should "have college paid for for all kids" before even considering a big ticket purchase. What may be a big ticket item for some is a small change item for others (or very carefully planned out and saved for as in OP's case), and BOTH kinds of people frequent the budget board.

Not to mention that there are MANY FAMILIES who don't plan to have entire college education money put aside for their kids. My parents didn't have 1 red cent for my eductation, I'm still paying the sallie mae bills to prove it. We plan to have money put aside for the kids' education, but not footing the entire education bill. (we don't want them to be strapped with the kind of loans I have, but doing work study and taking a few small loans here and there is par for the course for a college education)

Sorry to hop on my soapbox, OP but I simply HATE when people who CANT AFFORD big ticket items as easily as others (or at all) start to judge those who can. And when those who choose to live a on a shoestring budget, make-laundry-soap-from-scratch life judge those who like technology, and other extra fun & frivilous things it really gets under my skin.

 

[livie1205]

I know OP has a resolution to her question, but I just wanted to point out that it is VERY RUDE to ASSume that someone should "have college paid for for all kids" before even considering a big ticket purchase. What may be a big ticket item for some is a small change item for others (or very carefully planned out and saved for as in OP's case), and BOTH kinds of people frequent the budget board.

Not to mention that there are MANY FAMILIES who don't plan to have entire college education money put aside for their kids. My parents didn't have 1 red cent for my eductation, I'm still paying the sallie mae bills to prove it. We plan to have money put aside for the kids' education, but not footing the entire education bill. (we don't want them to be strapped with the kind of loans I have, but doing work study and taking a few small loans here and there is par for the course for a college education)

Sorry to hop on my soapbox, OP but I simply HATE when people who CANT AFFORD big ticket items as easily as others (or at all) start to judge those who can. And when those who choose to live a on a shoestring budget, make-laundry-soap-from-scratch life judge those who like technology, and other extra fun & frivilous things it really gets under my skin.

I agree...we have some money put away for school but we expect them to pay for some of it (oh no bad parents) we paid for 100% all of our school and let me tell you my dh dad HAD the money to help him but didnt give him one penny...but you know what we dont depend on ANYONE for anything but ourselves, thats what we learned and that is what we want our kids to learn...how to take care of themselves in this big bad world.
as far a the ipad if the OPs dd wants one and its her money I dont see a problem with it.I want one too..and I would let my dd4 use it (with me of course) since I let her play on my droid, she loves disney princess memory and puzzle games!The touch screen is easy for her to use and the best part is she knows how to use my phone so if she needs to call someone in a emer. she will know how because she just has the touch the picture on the screen.She has also used the learn your abc s app which is great.I also like that on the ipad she can draw and paint with no mess and she is a little artist!

 

[Camping Griswalds]

I think age has nothing to do with it. My 5 yo dd can navigate her big brothers macbook way better than me. She LOVES pbskids.com and using the laptop is easier than our desktop computer for her. I will buy an IPad for myself, probably in the fall. I will buy this knowing she will use it on the internet, for games and for movies and to read.

 

[momrek06]

Just bought an IPAD on Sunday and absolutely love it.

Anyway, I am stopping by to ask all you IPAD owners WHAT CARRYING CASE DID YOU GET TO GO WITH THE IPAD and DO YOU LOVE IT????

 

[ExPirateShopGirl]

OP, if your daughter wants an ereader but doesn't want to spend iPad money, a Kindle 2 would be a great choice. Amazon gift cards could keep her in books and there are lots of free classics. I know it is more of a "one use" item (although it does have a basic web browser) but boy would it be a great reader for her. My girls each have one (both passed down from me after I upgraded twice!) and they LOVE them. Just a thought...

Lucky girls, your daughters! The Kindles are amazing. A better reading surface (than the ipad), lighter and battery life that can reach 2 weeks. I maintain not only books on mine, but all the PDF's I need for work, travel, etc. Since we began the transition to using Kindles in the field, I NEVER spend my time in flight watching movies anymore... I just read books on the Kindle or do actual work on my laptop or netbook.

(small hijack - DVCLiz.... are you getting the Guardian?)