Random question re: LeapPad Tablets

[prettyinpearls]

Are they too old for DS? (he'll be 3 on Dec. 31st) I feel like he'd be better to use one about halfway through the year when he's 3.5...but I'd rather one of the grandparents buy it for him for Christmas because let's face it, I'm cheap.

Thoughts from the moms?

[aerochyck]

They are ok but here is my experience with them. I bought one for my DS when he was 4 and while he liked it, he wasn't that interested in it for long. DD (2.5) now plays with it but it still doesn't hold her attention for long.

The games are not cheap and if I had to do it again I don't know if I would purchase it.

[naeljun]

I have never seen this in action but I would skip it.
DD got a leapster when she was 3 and still plays with it from time to time though she has a DS and Kindle Fire too.

[doriswe]

I like stuff like that, but I think they're pretty short term things....I've gotten my kiddos lots of stuff like that and they always lose interest in them.

[formerlyak]

I'd just get a Kindle Fire. They will be able to use it a lot longer. I got ds his last year for Christmas and he uses it almost daily to either play a game or read. It was also FABULOUS when we flew cross country this summer, because you can buy movies for it on Amazon (for about the same price as a DVD). That was so much easier to carry on the plane than the portable DVD player thing.

[prettyinpearls]

Oct 18, 2012 11:34:11 GMT -5 formerlyak said:

I'd just get a Kindle Fire. They will be able to use it a lot longer. I got ds his last year for Christmas and he uses it almost daily to either play a game or read. It was also FABULOUS when we flew cross country this summer, because you can buy movies for it on Amazon (for about the same price as a DVD). That was so much easier to carry on the plane than the portable DVD player thing.

This is a really good idea, but my only concern with this is the durablilty factor. Maybe it's because a Kindle Fire is an adult "toy" and the LeapPad Tablet is a kids toy.

I have a Nook Color, so maybe I'll download some games on that and see what his interest level is...

[formerlyak]

You can get pretty protective cases for the Fire.

[doriswe]

Do they make durable cases for Kindles? Maybe that with a case would work. Or only let him play with it when there's adult supervision or on the couch or at the table or something, kwim?

[prettyinpearls]

Great suggestions, thanks ladies!! I think 3 is a little young to get him a Fire, but I'll definitely start letting him use my Nook more and see what his interest level is. There's always next Christmas

[naeljun]

I would just skip the Leap Pad thing all together this year and wait until he is old enough for a tablet. DD wanted a digital camera when she was 4 so I bought her a real one (cheap of course) instead of the kids one. They always seem to be better in the long run. She still has it actually.

[formerlyak]

Oct 18, 2012 13:23:46 GMT -5 jellymankelly said:

My 2 year old loves our iPad and Kindle Fire, but be careful with the Kindle...it stores your amazon info and I've gotten receipts emailed to me where DS has downloaded game add-ons and upgrades without me even knowing! LOL

You can avoid this by adjusting your Kindle settings in the "my account" section on amazon.com. I think within the Kindle settings you have to turn of 1-Click Buying or something like that.