Tablets for kids

[brookmey]

My 6 year old really wants a tablet for Christmas. I have an iPad, but he wants one of his own that he doesn't have to share with his mom or sister. LOL
It's really the only thing he wants, so we're seriously considering it. We've looked at nabi and meep, but I'm still not sure which one would be better. He would use the tablet for playing games, but I'd like it to have some educational value as well. I don't know if a LeapFrog tablet or one by vtech, the InnoTab, would be better. Any suggestions or advice?

 

[descovy]

Honestly, I would get one to grow on vs a kiddie tablet.

I imagine someone has a good recommendation or an android tablet and can chime in.

I know I would get an iPad before I got a leap pad, etc., You can find great educational apps for free or very cheap. Those leapster games get expensive, and it won't be long before it will feel like a "baby toy." For example, my youngest is 8. She has already outgrown such a young machine. HOWEVER, she does read books on the Kindle app, check her class edmodo account, etc.,

This week Target has a $40 gc on any iPad. That's $359 for an iPad2. Keep your eyes peeled for deals now that the mini is out too.

 

[sunshinehighway]

Target has the original Kindle Fire for $159 this week. I'd probably buy something like that, one of the 7in android tablets.

If the kid tablets require you to buy games, you might be better of with a real (non kid) tablet. You can find educational games in the app store.

 

[MomofKatie]

Kindle Fire.

 

[Albort]

what if you give him your iPad and you get yourself a nice iPad 4. :]

 

[Vixster]

what if you give him your iPad and you get yourself a nice iPad 4. :]

That's a good idea I will be doing that eventually there is the mini iPad that you could prob get him

 

[Albort]

That's a good idea I will be doing that eventually there is the mini iPad that you could prob get him

now that u brought up mini iPad, what about a touch first. that way, he can learn to take care of a device before moving onto something more expensive...

 

[Domo]

Refurb iPad! Keeps costs down and gets you the best tablet money can buy

 

[CentralFloridian99]

iPad mini.

 

[jrmasm]

Kindle Fire.

I agree.

 

[LisaNJ25]

I got my 8yo and 7yo the Tabeo from toys r us

 

[quentina]

What is the difference between the Kindle fire and the Ipad? From an app perspective, can you download free/cheap apps on the kindle?

 

[MomofKatie]

What is the difference between the Kindle fire and the Ipad? From an app perspective, can you download free/cheap apps on the kindle?

There aren't quite as many as for Apple, but there are a lot, and more are available every day.

Main difference between Fire and iPad- Fire really is more of a media player/downloading device with a web browser added. Video, music, games, and books/magazines are all available on Amazon and it does a great job with all. The web browser is good, too. The price point is pretty great- $159. The 1st generation ones have WiFi only, so no internet without a WiFi hotspot. No camera or video recording capabilities on the 1st gen ones. The new Fires have a camera so they can do Skype.

The iPad does more traditional "computer" stuff in addition to the internet and media playing/downloading. There is a camera, and it can record video. There are versions available with just WiFi, and versions with 3G that require a monthly plan to pay for the coverage. It is way more expensive, so for a kid, you might want to go with a lower priced device.

 

[Mickeyrella]

No way I would give a 6 year old a new iPad, if anything I would buy a refurbished iPad 1, they are a tablet but they are not as fancy as newer iPads.

 

[clarkshel]

I bought a new iPad 2 for my 4 and 8 yr old to share. Well actually I got an iPad 2 for my birthday early this year. Both my kids used it so much, I ended going out and buying myself an iPad 2, just so I would get to use it. Now I still don't get to use my iPad too much as both kids now each have one to use. If the iPad mini was out at the time, I would of bought them each one.

Both of my kids are really careful with the iPads. I trust them completely with them. I did buy my 4 yr old a Leapster last Christmas, But it was a waste of money, as when I got the iPad, he never touched his Leapster anymore. There are so many good educational apps for the iPad, that both kids have so much fun with.

 

[Disneychix]

I looked into the MEEP for my DS, almost 6. It got some pretty bad reviews-most said to wait for future generations as it's got some bad bugs right now.

My DS has 'taken' my Itouch and he loves loves that. But we don't allow him to go on the web with that,he does apps only.

From time to time we allow him on the Ipad. I think I may wait one more year before investing in his own tablet.

 

[OurMinnieFamily]

Wal-Mart.com has a 7 inch android based tablet as their special of the day today. It's $109.00 and comes in a bunch of colors. May be worth checking out

 

[Tinkermommy]

We are getting my DS 6 a new Kindle Fire. It has Gorilla glass so it's pretty tough.

They also have lots of good parental controls on it. And for $199 it's a very good price point.

From the Amazon website:

Perfect for Parents
Kindle FreeTime is a new service, built from the ground up to help give parents peace of mind when it comes to tablet use. Parents can create a profile for each of their children and choose what books, apps, games and videos they want to give their kids access to. Kindle FreeTime is free on every Kindle Fire HD.

Set Screen Limits
Many parents choose to limit their kids' screen time, but doing so without the proper tools is difficult. With Kindle FreeTime, parents can set daily limits for Kindle Fire HD use, or restrict certain categories - like games and video - while leaving unlimited time for reading.

...And Perfect for Kids
When kids use Kindle FreeTime, it's like they have their very own, personalized tablet. The background color and fonts change to a kid-friendly design. They only see the titles that they have access to see. The home screen carousel shows their recently viewed titles. And, they can even navigate visually to content based on characters or topics - for example "Cinderella," "Dinosaurs," or "Puppies."

Built Tough
Kindle Fire HD is designed to stand up to accidental bumps and scrapes. Our state-of-the art display is 20 times stiffer and 30 times harder than plastic, so you can let your child play, without worry.

 

[Bonniec]

I'd say he is too old for a kiddie tablet.

I'd get yourself a new ipad and then pass your old one down or get a refurbished/used ipad. The Kindle Fire is also an option. I've tested it in the stores and it seems to work surprisingly well. But I'm more of a fan of the ipad so if it were me, I would upgrade myself and pass the old one down.


As of right now, my 6 year old has an ipod touch and I let him use my ipad at times. I will probably be upgrading myself soon since I'm still on the original ipad (before the camera was added). Once I do that, he will get my old one.

 

[clarkshel]

It's amazing what kids can do as such a young age on tablets. My 8 yr old son uses his iPad mostly for making his own moves. He shoots the video with the iPad and creates the music using Garage Band, on the iPad. He then uploads the video to our iMac and edits his video with iMovie. Then exports to iTunes so he can play it on the ATV2. Our 4 yr old also is really good at using the iPad. He has been playing on our iPhones for the past 1.5 to 2 years. And the iPad the last 8 months.