Where can I get a cheap iPad for our vacation?

[binwinbinwin]

Any suggestions where I can get a cheap iPad for the kids?

We are going to Disney but we want to have an iPad to keep the kids occupied when we're waiting at the airport, on the plane, waiting for the shuttle bus...

 

[Pembo]

Our kids used their DS's. No fighting...

 

[MrsJackSparrow4Life]

Apple sells refurbished iPads for a discount but I still wouldn't call it cheap.

http://store.apple.com/us/browse/home/specialdeals/ipad

Maybe a Nook Tablet or Kindle Fire instead.

 

[stsomewhere]

Better to get a couple of ipod touch. No fighting over who is using it

 

[Pixiedust34]

Not sure how old your kids are, but could they stay occupied with a hand held ds system, books, small toys (action figures, silly putty, etc.) or crayons & coloring book at the airport? An ipad isn't cheap.

 

[sk!mom]

Cheap ipad= not possible

I would suggest a ds or itouch for the airport. Or even just a portable dvd player.

Not sure of your kids ages, but I've been to Disney with kids as young as 2 and we've always found Disney to be entertaining enough without carrying extra entertainment.

 

[QVCshopper]

Cheap ipad= not possible

I would suggest a ds or itouch for the airport. Or even just a portable dvd player.

Not sure of your kids ages, but I've been to Disney with kids as young as 2 and we've always found Disney to be entertaining enough without carrying extra entertainment.

I just won my second iPad. Won the first last year through a contest that a local company was holding, won the second from a library raffle I entered. Pretty cheap, lol.

I also got my son a Nintendo 3DS for $106 and my hubby an iPod Touch for $131 (including tax) this past month from Target. Pretty sure the iPod Touch deal is running this week again.

And I've been to Disney over ten trips with kids as young as 6 months. Yes, it can be done, but the electronic devices make traveling sooooo much easier.

 

[Robinrs]

Why an Ipad? How about a cheap NON Apple tablet? They run from $75 to 500 and it'll do the job for kids.

 

[DawnM]

If you find a cheap iPad, please share! I want one too!

I too got a "free" one but only because my dad was given one and didn't need/want it so he passed along his free one to me.

OP: It isn't just the cost of the iPad either. With kids you will want a good solid case too and all those things to entertain the kids like apps and movies, you need to PAY for those to be downloaded.

Dawn

 

[HLAuburn]

I just got a "knock off" tablet called a Le Pan and I LOVE it! Several of the reviews say it's just as good as an iPad - I think that's pushing it a little, but for $200, it's pretty amazing! It has a 10" capacitive screen (like the iPad) and comes installed with Android Market so you can get all sorts of game apps, movies, books etc. I use it for email, Facebook, and internet and my kids love playing Angry Birds and other games.

For $200, it's a great little device - I'd highly recommend it if you don't want to spend $500 on an iPad.

 

[NateNLogansDad]

If you want to go Android, there's going to be a pretty GOOD tablet coming out to the U.S. this year for $99. It'll be the first tablet running Version 4 of the Android OS. Not sure when you need it by, but the wait is supposed to be well worth it.

 

[2forMe]

If you want to go Android, there's going to be a pretty GOOD tablet coming out to the U.S. this year for $99. It'll be the first tablet running Version 4 of the Android OS. Not sure when you need it by, but the wait is supposed to be well worth it.

what is this? details please

 

[tar heel]

I have a feeling you're using Ipad as a generic term and that what you really mean is a cheap tablet of some kind. Cheap and Apple just don't go together.

 

[tinkmom2]

I got a Pandigital pad from Walmart for about 85 bucks. It has the Android OS and you can download games to it when you add a memory card. I would probably go that route.

 

[tzeitel]

To keep DD occupied while travelling I pack her a backpack - actually she now packs her own Last Christmas we got her a cute portable dvd player (with matching purple headset) like this one -

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Philips-7-Portable-DVD-Player-Aqua/15026667

I also have a folder with blank paper and Disney print outs, crayons and colored pencils, a couple of books, her favorite plush, small pillow pet and her portable Vsmile with a couple of games. She has one of those backpacks you can attach the lunchbox - snacks (I think) are the most important things I pack. I tend to overpack and she does not play with everything but better safe than sorry . She is so entertained just looking out the window at the clouds etc - just knowing we are at (or going to) Disney keeps her happy.

How old are your kids? One thing DD is getting this year is the Leappad which is like a tablet for little kids - this will replace the Vsmile (and maybe even the dvd player) on trips.

I did get the Kindle Fire (for myself) and love it You can download your own movies, has games the kids would like and Amazon has been putting out free kid books as their free app of the day - so far I got Kung Fu Panda 2, Charlie Brown Christmas and Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer. If we had not bought and set up the Leappad already I would get DD a Fire

 

[mrodgers]

We bought a car DVD player set (2 screens) and the first time the kids used it was driving 19 hours to Disney. It ran the whole time. They also had mp3 players and DS.

On the way home, not a single electronic was turned on the entire 19 hours. I couldn't believe they entertained themselves for the 19 hour drive straight through from 3 AM to 10 PM.

Just sitting around an airport waiting to board? How long can that possibly be? The normal DS (every kid has one of those, don't they?) should be plenty. I think my kids would be mesmerized on the plane itself looking out the windows.

 

[DISdreamin']

Just sitting around an airport waiting to board? How long can that possibly be? The normal DS (every kid has one of those, don't they?) should be plenty. I think my kids would be mesmerized on the plane itself looking out the windows.

We've had unexpected layovers to the tune of 6+ hours all the way up to overnight. DS games, crayons/markers and paper, DVDs and books come in very handy killing time!

As far as the plane ride, my kids do like looking out the window when there is something to see, but all too often we fly at night or we hit overcast days, and both make for boring viewing out the window. The other issue can be window placement, too sunny, or no window seats available. When it is a 4+ hour flight, having something to do is key.

OP, there are much more economical options than an iPad - hope you either find a deal or find another solution!