Nintendo DS v iPod Touch for 6yo

[feezle]

My 2 year old thinks she owns an iPad2 and 3 iPhone 4s. In reality, we have a family iPad2 and my wife and I have iPhones. I have thought about giving her one after upgrading, but when I can sell a jailbroken iPhone on ebay for several hundred dollars, I can't justify it.

She uses them like a pro though. She is a youtube fiend. She has quite a few puzzle games and stuff like shape sorters. She learned all her shapes on the ipad.

 

[feezle]

double post.

 

[nilseks]

Another vote for the iPod touch. Both of my sons have a DS (they are 7 and 10). When I got my iPhone, older DS fell in love with it and started saving his $$$ for an itouch. He was able to purchase one with his xmas money that he never touched, and bday money. He LOVES out and hasn't touched his DS since. Younger DS has now been saving and his 8th birthday is coming up--we will throw in up to $100 as his birthday gift to help him finish off the purchase.

Older DS got a free $25 app card when he purchased his iTouch at Target, and has not gone over that amount. So many of the apps they want to play are free (current fave is Zombie Farm--free). Older DS likes to play a lot of games that are bordering on educational/thinking games, like Words with Friends, Hanging with Friends. He plays games against me and I can't believe some of the high level words he comes up with; I'm impressed that he is actually 'learning' something. Additionally, I DL'd the free Nook app for them so they can read on plane trips and whatnot. Now there is no more lugging books, a DS in a big Nerf case, tons of game cartridges, etc.

 

[dimimi]

I would buy the touch. You know she can use it because she uses your Iphone. I would also buy a good case!

 

[Taffykids]

I remeber playing with barbies and dolls at that age. It think six is a great age to use the imagination.

 

[jldixon62]

My grand daughter 7 has a DS and never plays with it, I have a Iphone and Ipad and that's all they like to play with. For games, videos, music and face time. I plan in getting both the 7 years old Ipod touch's for christmas, they are very with responsible with mine and when I compare the price to the numerous toys I buy that they stop playing with, I think it comes out a better deal.

 

[travelfanatic]

I agree with the ipod touch as well. My 6 year old has a DS he never palys with. I am getting him an ipod touch for Christmas so he will leave my phone alone and stop stealing his big brother's itouch. I noticed the other day they reduced the pricing on the DS 3D, my guess is that's its no longer a big seller. My other concern with the DS is when are they going to stop making games for it? This happened to us with the playstation, then you are forced to move up to the next "in" thing. At least with an itouch you can buy new apps and delete old ones so it's shelf life to me would be longer because of that.

 

[Bell30012]

My very spoiled DD8 has a DS Lite and an iPhone... The iPhone is used all the time. The DS Lite? Not so much.

 

[jeremiahsmom]

my son has both and prefers the ipod. one thing to keep in mind for later (or maybe even now with your help) are all apps that allow you to create your own content. We have a stop motion app and another animation app that my seven year old can use by himself. the ds has a flip book type program, but it is not as good as the one we have on the ipod. also, i started a blog for my son and it is really easy for him to take a picture and email it to the blog. plus, there are a number of podcasts for kids that my son enjoys listening to. someone correct me if i'm wrong...the down side will be the actual games...so i agree with the poster who said if your daughter is really into video games, the ds might be a better choice. you get what you pay for - free and 99 cent apps don't compare to the games you can play on a ds.

good luck!

 

[Bell30012]

I have Spellboard on my DD8's iPhone. She always gets 100% on her spelling test. I like the fact that there is no limit to the number of apps. No cartridges to change.

You do want to put all iPhones, iPads, iPods on ONE email account in your home. This is so that you can install the app on all of them without having to purchase them over and over again. This is allowed by iTunes.

 

[merlinspride]

ok...looks like most people are saying the ipod touch. I am looking at a used one, because I am very cognizant of the fact that she is young. But I do think in the long run, it might be cheaper than a cartridge type gaming system. (And i hate dealing with cartridges)
It isnt something that she will be walking around with constantly, for now, she would use it most when she is in the car or when we travel. While she will do some games (bowling, angry birds and such) I think she will use the music and camera just as much if not more.

Thanks for all your advise...we will go with the iPod.

 

[Bell30012]

Okay, if you are going to buy an iPod Touch used my suggestion is that you check pawn shops. While your there use your smart phone to check the status of the warranty.

A few years ago, I purchased an iPod (1st Generation) for only $25 from a pawn shop because the headphone jack was shorting. I had checked the warranty status with Apple and found it was still under warranty. I took it to the Apple Store and they swapped it right out. Apple warranties are on the device not the purchaser.

Apple Warranty

 

[luvdisney00]

I see you decided on the ipod and I'm glad. DD 8 asked for an iPod for Christmas when she was 6 and I didn't get it because I thought she was too young, but she played all the time on the rest of ours (Myself DH and older DDs all had one at the time)and rarely used her DSi which I had purchased instead. The next year I got it for her and she love, love loves it. She can do so much with the 1 device and she takes excellent care of it. The other day she was reading a book and had it turned on resting on the arm of the chair. I saw it and said to turn it off and read, and she answered " Mommy I'm looking up the words I don't know." She was using dictionary.com to check the words.

As the comercial says "there's an app for that" and there really is! It is a great device, you won't be sorry.

 

[cdrn1]

When discussion of Xmas presents came up last year and some were considering an iPod Touch for toddlers I thought they were nuts. Since then I have discovered that my grandkids from 18 months to 7 are very adept at figuring out how to use them and play fun and somewhat creative games. I am amazed at how the baby scrolls through the screens and chooses things and plays. We always prefer outdoors play, crafts, books, etc but when it's raining or we are in the car (or in line at Disney World) they play with the iPod. DGD age 7 had the DS and likes it a lot but her 5 yr old brother is not that great with it.

 

[acrayon]

One thing to watch out for, that I found, is the battery life of the used iphone (not sure if true for itouches) is extremely shortened as it got older.... my son (5) has my old iphone and it does NOT hold a charge to play for more than 10 minutes.... before I upgraded, I had the same problem, but it would last a day before i had to plug it in.... now it doesn't last very long at all... so, he's back to playing my iphone or ipad.

my vote would be for itouch. I'm a teacher so I like games that are fun and educational and there are SOOO many for the apples. I work with teachers that actually use them in the classroom too! And of course, there are plenty of "fun" noneducational games to play for breaks too...

 

[Bell30012]

Okay, I have to say if you decide to give an iPod or iPhone to a toddler you need a Woogie! Best thing you can have this side of a no questions asked exchange policy. This thing is $20... My EXWK2 loves hers.

 

[monorailsilver]

My youngest is 5 & she has been playing on my oldest's ipod touch for 2 years now. I loaded in a bunch of free apps for her to play but now she plays Angry Birds, etc...

She also has a ds & she got it 2 years ago (she was 3). My other 2 (ages 7 & 10) also have ds's so they play games together on it when in the car.

My 7yo (soon to be 8) will be getting an ipod touch for Christmas this year.