I think this has been asked a few times but am asking again since new devices come out so quickly. Last year we got our daughter a nexus 7 for xmas. She loves it but has already managed to crack the screen. She wants something with a camera too. Was going to try something different and try the leeppad ultra but am afraid she will outgrow it shortly. Any suggestions?
I would consider the Nook HD, because it's MUCH cheaper than the Kindle Fire or the IPad. It uses Google Aps (previous Nooks used only Barnes and Noble Aps) and does most of the things the other tablets do.
I would not buy a kids tablet, because she really will outgrow that very soon. There are plenty of kids Aps on the regular tablets.
Target has the 7" Nook HD on sale this week for $100.
We got our 6 year old an Ematic because it was inexpensive and had a 1.5GHz quad core processor, a camera (though not a great one), runs on Jelly Bean, and came in her favorite color.
Whatever you decide to get, purchase the extended warranty if you are concerned about breakage.
Personally, I think the Leap Pad, while 'tough' isn't the greatest deal because it runs on its own system and therefore requires most content to be purchased separately which can get really pricey. $25 for a Bubble Guppies game? No thanks.
She broke her first one in less than a year and you want to get her another expensive paper weight?
I wouldn't.
My kids are 10 and 6 and don't have any kind of tablet. My 10 year old has a Kindle, the very basic one, that has some VERY strict rules of usage. He's had it for a couple of years now, and has managed to lose all use of it multiple times.
My 6 year old has a Leapster that she doesn't play, and a Leap Pad that she doesn't use. The rules for her are a LOT different than the 10 year old. She's a LOT better about taking care of her stuff.
We just bought the iPad mini for our 7 year old son for Christmas. He is on my iPad ALL the time and I was tired of sitting next to an outlet by the time I got to use it. I bought the Otterbox for it to keep it protected. It is the perfect size for smaller hands but, is everything an iPad is.
If you're a fan of Apple products, Craigslist is full of 1st Gen iPads for around $100. No camera though.
what about the kindle fire hd or the hdx? Im not sure if they have cameras but I know my nephew loves his. whatever tablet you have spend the extra $$ and get a heavy duty case for it to prevent the screen from cracking. My kids have ipod touches and they have the otterbox case and when I take the ipods out to wipe them down they look brand new.
We just got a tablet from Target yesterday for my 8 year old. I opted for no camera though b/c I didn't feel he needed it. They do have one for $120 with a camera and more memory
kindle fire. Get the 1st generation - they are selling refurbished ones for $100 at GameStop and brand new you can get them for $130. My parents got them for my daughters ages 6 and 7. They have been playing mine and my hubby's for months but they will flip to get their own. And I'll finally be able to read a book on night without finding my battery drained!
She will outgrow the leappad quickly plus my kids want to play the games their friends play - temple run, angry birds, jetpack joyride etc. You cannot do any of these on leappad.
I got my daughter a tablet for making good grades in school when she was 7. I chose to get her one thinking it would be a helpful learning tool. I bought her a REFURB Kindle Fire from Amazon for $80 to see how well she would do. She LOVED it but 1 year and a 1/2 later, she broke it.
My advice would to buy one that is good, but cheap, unless you can afford to get one that has an *otter case* and is child proof from bumps and scratches.
RECCOMEND: Kindle Fire and Samsung Galaxy Tab 3
You can not go from a nexus to a leappad they are two completely different things and your DD would be bored!!!!'
Go Kindle for that age group. I just bought a first generation for $100 on amazon, actually they have been having a huge sell on all of their Kindles.
For my son's 7th birthday this past August, we bought him the Samsung Galaxy Tab 2 or 3, not sure which one. He looooves it. When I went into Best Buy, the lady asked what he used it for most, games of course, she suggested the Samsung. The Kindle and Nooks don't have as fast downloads and internet as the Samsung per the lady at Best Buy. I would suggest going there and telling them what it will be used for and getting suggestions from them. good luck!
Our son is getting a Kindle Fire. We debated on it long and hard. We purchased an otterbox for it. Expensive for sure. But we researched it and it seems like it may be worth the investment to protect the pad.
For about half a second we considered getting our five year old a tablet. We ultimately decided she wasn't ready for one. But when we were considering the idea, we were going to purchase the RCA tablet offered by Walmart. Mostly because it is only $69 and we could get it in pink. It does have a web cam. I am sure it is not nearly as fancy as the kindle and it won't have all the bells and whistles as other tablets, but it would have done the job nicely for our kiddo. And if it got destroyed, cracked or broken, it wouldn't be such a sting to our pocketbook.
Since she is not ready for the tablet, we opted for a cheapy smart phone (only $20). We downloaded the apps she would enjoy and some reading programs she uses on my nook. We activated the phone, but we did not pay for any monthly plan. It uses wifi at the house. And the aps that don't require wifi will work just fine outside of the house. It will be perfect for doctor offices and long car trips without the huge investment of the tablets. We'll save that for when she is more responsible and a stronger reader.
My kids have Kindle Fires and they love them. They will be getting iPad's next week - and they are two completely different devices. So it really depends on what she plans to use it for as to which is the better deal for you.
My two boys 7 & 9 both have their own Samsung Galaxy Tab 2. They bought these earlier this year with saved birthday and Christmas money. I did the research and chose for them to buy this tablet, specifically because it has a front AND rear camera. So they can take pictures and video with it and also video chat relatives on skype or take selfie pics/video. I can tell you that they LOVE having this ability and take A LOT of pics and videos around the house. I am always hearing them replay videos they have taken. Getting a tablet with a front and rear camera has really paid off! We have parental controls on the tablets, so that is offered with these.
On a side note, my 7 year old recently left his tablet outside and it rained! When it was discovered (wet), I immediately wiped it down, and went to the store and bought a bag of rice. We kept the tablet in a container with rice for about 6 days. Can you believe it still works?!! I don't know if it was just luck or the Samsung brand. But I'm pleased!
