iPad for Kids

[DVCBELLE]

My DD8 made her 1st Communion this weekend and got a good amount of cash. We were in the Apple Store yesterday and she fell in love with the iPad. We were having an iPod checked by a technician and by the time I returned to her on the iPad she was already reading a book on it and was telling me all the cool things she could do and begging for one.

I told her that she had money and instead of running out to spend it immediately - why didn't she save it and buy her own iPad. She is thrilled with this idea but I can't help but wonder if I am crazy!

Does anyone else have an iPad for their kids? I feel if she buys it herself she will be careful with it!

Once she buys it will I be in way too much for apps? Or are they pretty reasonably priced?

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

Does anyone else have an iPad for their kids? I feel if she buys it herself she will be careful with it!

I have a 64GB iPad (Wi-Fi only) that was supposed to be mine but DD10 has pretty much taken it over since I got it on launch day. She reads classic books on it, Disney digital books, plays games and most of all, looks at her videos on a stunning screen. She's even started learning Japanese and using a calculator and other programs for it. The best thing is, all of her apps she had for her iPod touch work pretty seamless on the iPad.

The screen is not only bright but very tough and resistant to scratches so you won't need a screen protector. We have the little black microfiber case that folds which is about $35 or so. It doesn't come with headphones so you'd have to purchase those separately.

Once she buys it will I be in way too much for apps? Or are they pretty reasonably priced?

The apps are pretty reasonably priced. I loaded it up with free apps and DD10 used her iTunes 'allowance' money to buy cool apps that are around $1.99. There are more expensive ones but there are plenty of free ones that do just as well. The one app I love is all the free Children's books in the iBooks app. Lots of great classics in there from Brothers Grimm, Charles Dickens, and even Winnie the Pooh!

Hope that helps!

 

[Kitzka]

To be honest? you may be a little crazy.

I'm a little crazy too and our family has an ipad but it's the family ipad. DD 12 uses it to play and has spent more time with it than either DH or I have but i don't know that i would have gotten it just for her.

There are quite a few apps that are free and some of the classic books are free but i think between $4.99+ apps and ibooks that start at $9.99+it's going to end up costing you a lot more than you think.

I would also be concerend with her having access to the internet i'm not sure what kind of parental controls you can have on the ipad. Also, think if this is going to be something that she will grow tired of? Maybe have her start to save the money and then see if she bring it up in a week or two. it would be a very costly fad toy for her to have.

I am just hesitant.

 

[cvjw]

Both of my boys want an IPAD - they are 10 and 14. We are going to let them each get one - maybe for Christmas or birthday. We are making them wait for the 2nd generation IPAD though - we don't buy 1st generations - always too many bugs to be worked out. Both of my boys have Ipod Touches that they take care of and have had their own Ipods since they were young.

 

[PolyndianPrincessJes]

Both of my boys want an IPAD - they are 10 and 14. We are going to let them each get one - maybe for Christmas or birthday. We are making them wait for the 2nd generation IPAD though - we don't buy 1st generations - always too many bugs to be worked out. Both of my boys have Ipod Touches that they take care of and have had their own Ipods since they were young.

This is exactly what I was going to post regarding first generation products. Yes, it's cool to be the first one on the block with the newest toy, but if you wait, the second generation will have fixed all the problems of the first (and since this is the BB...it may be a little cheaper).

 

[MsStinkerBelle]

I would also be concerend with her having access to the internet i'm not sure what kind of parental controls you can have on the ipad. Also, think if this is going to be something that she will grow tired of? Maybe have her start to save the money and then see if she bring it up in a week or two. it would be a very costly fad toy for her to have.

I am just hesitant.

Concerning Internet access, there are parental controls for this. You can restrict the use of certain 'apps' including access to the web browser, You Tube, location and 'rating' level of apps.

And regarding 1st gen products, yes some do have 'bugs'. However, since this was for me I got it for myself to enjoy. I haven't run into any bugs to speak of so far.

I'll agree it is an expensive device--that's for sure. Much easier (and frankly, just as functional) to get an iPod Touch.

 

[heatherleigh]

I think it's a great idea. I would just wait a couple mos, to give it time for the price to decrease. That is inevitable. My husband keeps talking about getting one for our son's birthday this fall. If the price is lower and the 2nd generation is out, we will do it.

 

[DVCBELLE]

Thanks for all the opinions! We have a constant battle at our house for the computer between me, DH, DS6 and DD8 - we have a desktop and laptop now that seems to ease it between the kids and us but my DD8 really would love her own computer - but I think this would be a much better option now - it would give everything she wants and portability.

She still needs to save about $200 more which I am sure she will do over the summer and be ready for it in the fall. Hopefully by then the price will drop or the 2nd generation will be out!

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

DH bought one and DS4 just loves it. Of course, with that age we are easliy able to control what he does with it, but we have put some of the read-along books on it, some apps that help with learning his numbers and letters, plus a movie or two and some games.

 

[drgreene1096]

I am gettine one of the 64 gig 3G's. I will let my daughter use it when she goes to the grandparent's house that has no internet. She can use it to watch movies on Itunes or netflex out there, plus she can get on her kidzui, as well. Of course, I say it is for me, but I know we will end up with 2 in our family.

BTW, my dd is going to be 8 in October.

 

[imthatgirl]

regarding it being a new product...well it isn't really. The touch has been around for a while now, and this is basically a larger touch with a few upgrades to the way you can open files and expand them. So I wouldn;t worry about the "newness" of it.
My 9yo wants one bad...but she has a 16gb nano AND a 32gb touch. She doesn;t need it! I just ahve to convince daddy that his little princess has enough toys. My guess, she'll get one for xmas, lol.

 

[MandM-Mom]

I say go for it, after my oldest dd's first communion she wanted to buy a four wheeler, yes an allterrain vehicle and we let her, hey its her money

 

[lexntaysmom]

I say go for it if she is buying it with her own money, I think that's the best way to go as she will probably treat it better since she had to pay for it. I know it's this way with my DD.

 

[All American]

After re-reading your post, I don't think you're crazy. It sounds like there is enough money gifted to your daughter so that she wouldn't have to save too much more (I'm just inferring that), and if she is willing to save the money herself, I'd say go for it. You even said she was thrilled with the idea. She sounds like a good kid, and it's her money. Heck, by the time she's saved enough she may change her mind. Either way, congratulations on the 1st Communion. I'm not Catholic, but from my understanding it's a big deal.

 

[LisaInNc]

I think it's nuts for an 8 year old to have an ipad doesn't matter how she gets it. To use Communion money for that seems really wrong. I would use communion money for savings, to purchase something that has meaning that she would have long term. I would never allow my child to buy technology with it.

It's just too expensive, too fancy for a child that young because where is she going from here? What will 9 bring, what is she going to want when she is 10? Be careful of setting such a precident.

Lisa

 

[ceecee]

I feel the same way about communion $ and 8 is really young...I personally wouldn't do it.

 

[DVCBELLE]

I didn't ask for a judgement on how she spends her First Communion money. Considering she volunteered to make an appropriate donation to charity I am happy for her to use the rest of the money on whatever she wants. She also used some of the money to buy her little brother a toy he has been wanting.

I suggested to her today that she just get the iTouch but she said that the main reason she wants it is for reading and she can't do that on the iTouch. Considering she reads at a high reading level and we have a hard time keeping enough books around for her to read - I am thrilled at the ability to have them readily available.

 

[kalliyan1]

The one app I love is all the free Children's books in the iBooks app. Lots of great classics in there from Brothers Grimm, Charles Dickens, and even Winnie the Pooh!

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

 

[jayally]

My 16 yr old son really wants one of these and is going to work over the summer to save up for it. I think he will appreciate it more if it is something he worked for. Of course I want one too and won't be able to resist watching my son play with his so I will get one as a birthday present to myself. I am hoping to get it before our WDW trip and use it instead of a DVD player or laptop. I don't know if it is worth paying another $30 a month for the 3G. I already pay that for a Blackberry (hoping verizon gets the iphone soon)

 

[Kit'smommy]

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.