if you bought your kid a tablet....

[Anonymous]

Thinking about getting something for my 6 year old for Christmas. We already have an ipad, but it's mine and I really only let her use it while we're traveling to watch videos, etc.

Would something else be better for her -- Leapfrog, Kindle Fire or other?? Want to be able to put some learning apps on, early reading stuff and fun stuff too. Has to be pretty easy to use because I'm technologically challenged (and DH doesn't have a clue) and with easy-to-manage parental controls.

Also, how do you implement time limits on screen time at home? My kid is pretty active, but she would love nothing more than to stare at a screen from the time she gets home from school til the time she goes to bed.

[Anonymous]

We have a Kindle Fire and I despise the thing. NOT user friendly at all, especially in FreeTime mode. Mine also tends to pick and choose when certain apps work. If you have the funds, go for the iPad mini. Seriously.

[Anonymous]

We limit ipad time to 30-45 minutes while I make dinner. Usually she is pretty hungry for dinner so minimal whining about stopping. We don't do screen time after dinner except an occasional movie night.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We have a Kindle Fire and I despise the thing. NOT user friendly at all, especially in FreeTime mode. Mine also tends to pick and choose when certain apps work. If you have the funds, go for the iPad mini. Seriously.

I totally agree with this, the Kindle Fire is a PITA. It's fine for me for reading books but a complete waste of money for little kids. FreeTime crashes constantly, WiFi is inconsistent, apps don't load half the time, storage is constantly full and it's a time consuming process to get out of FreeTime to delete things. Mine have a hard time getting them to plug in to charge also, so they're constantly low on batteries. One of ours just died a few days ago (thank you 7 year old and magnets from the museum gift shop ) and we're going to get another iPad to replace it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thinking about getting something for my 6 year old for Christmas. We already have an ipad, but it's mine and I really only let her use it while we're traveling to watch videos, etc.

Would something else be better for her -- Leapfrog, Kindle Fire or other?? Want to be able to put some learning apps on, early reading stuff and fun stuff too. Has to be pretty easy to use because I'm technologically challenged (and DH doesn't have a clue) and with easy-to-manage parental controls.

Also, how do you implement time limits on screen time at home? My kid is pretty active, but she would love nothing more than to stare at a screen from the time she gets home from school til the time she goes to bed.

Honestly, I wouldn't. Why does she need more screen time? And why would you want to set yourself up for arguments over screen time?

[Anonymous]

Once you've been on an iPad, it's hard to go backwards and use something else.

[Anonymous]

go for the ipad mini. Then, when school starts sending home Raz Kids and Lexia Core reading apps and iready, you can use it for that.

[Anonymous]

we bought a kindle fire on prime day for like 40$. it's not user friendly as others have said but we don't have to stress about a child breaking it the way we would with an ipad mini, because it's plastic and relatively cheap.

[Anonymous]

Grandma got us an iPad mini (and a case) after we told her not to and the kids fight over it - but it is great for Minecraft and TombRunner, and Netflix when someone else is using the computer or TV, or you can prop it up on the dining table and watch a cartoon while you are eating.
What you should be asking yourself is why can't you think of something else to get your kid, are you defaulting to the iPad because it seems cool and you can't think of anything else? Get an easel or a bike or a good set of Legos.

[Anonymous]

Samsung tablet is easy to use. But if you are familiar with ipad might be easier to stick with that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Samsung tablet is easy to use. But if you are familiar with ipad might be easier to stick with that.

This. Bought a Samsung Galaxy Tab S2 for my DS when he was 4, now 5. Very easy for him to use/navigate. While the tablet is his, I did setup a user account for me, and he knows how to switch from my user account to his to access his apps.

He also has an Amazon Fire, but I got the Samsung tablet to replace it and just haven't gotten rid of it yet. He also has a Leap Frog Leap Pad 2, but doesn't use it as much since we don't always have batteries on hand to replace the dead ones.

But as previous poster said, if you're used to iPads, you may want to stick with getting your child the same.

[Anonymous]

Google nexus tablet. Son has had it for 4 years now and loves it. Very easy to use.

[Anonymous]

iPad mini

[Anonymous]

I'm very confused about why you'd want to get something like this for her. It sounds like you know it could already be an addiction. Why fuel it? There are so many wonderful tactile learning games that won't set you up for screen time agreements. She'll quite possibly have most of her school and working life to share at screens. Don't distract her further from outdoor play or real life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thinking about getting something for my 6 year old for Christmas. We already have an ipad, but it's mine and I really only let her use it while we're traveling to watch videos, etc.

Would something else be better for her -- Leapfrog, Kindle Fire or other?? Want to be able to put some learning apps on, early reading stuff and fun stuff too. Has to be pretty easy to use because I'm technologically challenged (and DH doesn't have a clue) and with easy-to-manage parental controls.

Also, how do you implement time limits on screen time at home? My kid is pretty active, but she would love nothing more than to stare at a screen from the time she gets home from school til the time she goes to bed.

I have an app called OurPact. When activated all third party apps "disappear" (so only mail, music, calculator, etc.). I have a schedule enabled and you can also manually grant time or block.

My 6 yo is like yours and was really hooked until I implemented this program. We don't to any iPad time during the week and limited TV. On the weekend I don't restrict much but more often than not, he'll get bored after a while and do something else.