MP3 player for kids

[Shelly D.]

My DD8 has an ipod on her list to Santa. DH and I are on the fence. She really wants a Touch, but we both agreed to wait on that since they are so expensive and we're really trying to keep the kids off the games as long as we can (they love playing the Wii and play games on our iphones). I think if she had a touch or a DS, we'd be prying it out of her hands all the time. We're fine with her having an MP3 to listen to her music, but the shuffle seems like it doesn't have enough flexibility and the nano is so pricey in my opinion for an 8 year old.

Any suggestions on other MP3 players that are cheaper, but also kid friendly? I'm tempted to just go with the Apple since she knows how to use that and I already have my Itunes set up, etc. But the price seems excessive. I'd rather get her something less expensive now and then move to a Touch in a few years.

 

[Pigeon]

Dh and I have the Sansa Fuze and love them. We bought one for our 10 year old for this Christmas.

They are very easy to use, and you can use music from Itunes if you want. Just use Windows Media Player to drag and drop music onto the device. Very simple.

Overstock.com, woot.com, and Buy.com all have refurbished models (which is what we have) from time to time for sale for under $40 for a 4G player. The cool thing about the Fuze is that you can upgrade the memory by popping in a microSD card.

 

[JamesMom]

My DS asked for an ipod, a camera and a video camera for Christmas. Can't afford to get all (or any for that matter), but found this at Walmart:

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Ematic-8G...n-5MP-Camera-Video-Recorder-FM-Black/13224739

Picked up one for $55 during a sale a few weeks ago (now $59).

I've already opened it to download some songs and it works great. Has 8MB ( 3000 of songs or 34 hours of video) and expandable to 16MB . I think it will suit his needs very well and if he loses it, drops it, etc. we won't be out $200!

 

[bigmama67]

We are getting our DS (who will be 8 soon) the Sansa Clip for his birthday. He's never had an MP3 player before. Debating between the 4 MB and 8 MB as there's not much difference in price between them on Amazon.

I'm probably getting the 8GB Fuze for DH. Not sure what makes it better than the Clip though...

 

[Nina]

The apple store has refurbished nanos for $99. Got one for my ds

 

[DVCBELLE]

The apple store has refurbished nanos for $99. Got one for my ds

I agree that if you already have iphones then an ipod is the best option.

I have gotten other mp3s for my kids and they just aren't as user friendly and with DH an dI having ipods it made more sense to be able to share the music...

 

[GoofyMomInOhio]

I bought my DD7 a Riptunes for $35 today at Toysrus (not on sale). I've already added a bunch of music and pictures on it since it wasn't a Christmas present. The sound is really good and isn't hard to use...okay, it isn't hard to use after I read the directions LOL. It is only a 2GB.

 

[Pigeon]

We've got an iPod as well as the Fuzes, and there's no problem in having both kinds.

 

[Shelly D.]

Well, the Fuze sounded great until I realized it's windows based. I use a Mac, so it looks a little complicated and I don't think I can transfer music purchased from itunes.

Hmmm, apple makes this tough! I appreciate all the suggestions.

 

[crazelion]

Sansa mp3 player is awesome. All three foster kids have one. Mom had one to until she broke hers. Okay she has broken all her mp3 players but that is different story. LOL She worst than then the kids are. And don't have use Windows Media Player. I just drag and drop my songs easily without using Windows Media Player.

 

[bigmama67]

Great! Because TRU has a special today, half price on the Sansa, and I will get DS' birthday gift for $39.99 - a 4 GB Sansa Fuze (red!) Off to pick it up as soon as I get him to school.