I have an iPad. Last Christmas I got the Leap Pad for my DD (4), thinking that she'd enjoy it more than mommy's iPad. Nope....sure she still plays with the Leap pad once in a great while but the iPad rules. She plays games on it, reads books, watches shows (which comes in handy on long car trips). I have the iPad3 with a Griffin survivor case (very study and kid proof).

Anonymous wrote:I wanted to get something for my 3.5 year old DD when her new sibling comes next month, but I'm very reluctant to buy an expensive grown-up tablet. I'd love to hear your experiences with the toddler versions - LeapPad, vTech, etc. - versus a Kindle or the like.

I'd like to know this too. Is 2.5 too young for an ipad or tablet? We'd use it too but, truth be told, I could live without it and it would primarily be for DD.

I wanted to get something for my 3.5 year old DD when her new sibling comes next month, but I'm very reluctant to buy an expensive grown-up tablet. I'd love to hear your experiences with the toddler versions - LeapPad, vTech, etc. - versus a Kindle or the like.

Anonymous wrote:age and use case? School work? Just games and movies? Travel or mostly at home?

The one advantage my iPad (1st Gen) has over DH's Kindle Fire is battery life. Makes a big difference on a long day of travel. Downside is that Flash websites (such as the math program DD uses for school) don't work on the iPad.

FWIW, in our house, DD (age 7), does not have her own tablet, laptop or MP3 player. She gets to use ours on occasion. She just doesn't need one for herself, and I feel better if I know when and how long she is using it. We'll see when and how that changes as her needs change. And when she does "need" her own tablet or laptop, she will probably get one of our old ones while we upgrade.

This is my feeling too, although we are considering giving my 10 yo an ipod touch this year.

I'm getting the iPad mini for my kid for Christmas. Really, Really want one for myself but can't justify getting it. I already have the iPad, iphone, etc.

age and use case? School work? Just games and movies? Travel or mostly at home?

The one advantage my iPad (1st Gen) has over DH's Kindle Fire is battery life. Makes a big difference on a long day of travel. Downside is that Flash websites (such as the math program DD uses for school) don't work on the iPad.

FWIW, in our house, DD (age 7), does not have her own tablet, laptop or MP3 player. She gets to use ours on occasion. She just doesn't need one for herself, and I feel better if I know when and how long she is using it. We'll see when and how that changes as her needs change. And when she does "need" her own tablet or laptop, she will probably get one of our old ones while we upgrade.

I think the iPad mini (with a case) is great for a school-aged kid, if the extra $100 isn't a big sacrifice...especially, as others have pointed out, if the rest of the family uses Apple stuff. If not, a Kindle or Nexus or Galaxy tablet is a good alternative.

Whatever you get, be sure and get a sturdy case!

Depends on how old the child is

Neither. Get them a book.

Anonymous wrote:We just got my 9-year old the newest Samsung Galaxy tablet. My husband said he wanted something that would allow for a memory card to be added and both rear & front cameras. It fit the bill and I like the size instead of the larger iPad (of course they have a smaller one now but the price is still too high).

PP, my son loves the fact that it can act as a very cool remote control for the TV & DVR. Not sure if the apple can do it but the interface is really awesome.

We just got my 9-year old the newest Samsung Galaxy tablet. My husband said he wanted something that would allow for a memory card to be added and both rear & front cameras. It fit the bill and I like the size instead of the larger iPad (of course they have a smaller one now but the price is still too high).

I knew what you meant OP--ipad vs. tablet.

Here's a good overview:
http://reviews.cnet.com/best-tablets/

(Some of these aren't technically tablets either.) I think it depends on how much you want to spend. Also, I wouldn't get a tablet if you want it for keyboarding/typing. A slim laptop would be better.

We got an ipad and there are a lot of really good educational games. (There are some games just for fun too.)

An iPad is a tablet...

If you aren't already invested in the IOS ecosystem, then I would go with either a Kindle or Nexus 7(Although I'd wait for the announcement for new Nexus models next week). They are much cheaper, so less worries about breakage. Any of them will work well, so to me, price is the major consideration. The iPad Mini is overpriced, IMHO, so I wouldn't consider that one unless you specifically wanted a smaller iPad. If you do go with the iPad, you can pick up a refurbished iPad 3 for about $379 right now from the Apple store.

Which would you get and why?

If a tablet which one?

For ipad does the generation matter?