Would you buy your 5 y.o. a kindle fire?

AggieCouple

If she is generally pretty mature for her age,and takes pretty good care of her stuff?

And if so, would you also buy one for your rougher 3.5 y.o. DS so they won't fight, which they most certainly will?

My main goal is to get reading material on a portable device, but I didn't want something that is just for reading.  We had an iPad for the family, but I gave it to my dad after my sister mooched his off of him.  They fought over it constantly, but it wasn't specifically hers.

Jodi&Joe

Why not the Leappad?

5 and 3.5 are a bit young however it's all about YOUR expectations for it.  I just dropped $154 at Target on basically nothing so um, yea, I'd have no issue spending $200 (I think that's how much it is?!) on something like that.

 

ashleyaugust7

Probably not specifically for one child.  I would buy one for the family but let it be known that it can only be used when the child is responsible enough to use it (so maybe right now ML w/o supervision and TB w/ supervision).

j-w

I don't think I would.  I did, however, just get my 6 year old an Ipod touch, which costs about the same.  So, I can't quite put my finger on why I'm saying no.  I definitely would not get one for my 3 1/2 year old, I can say that!

AggieCouple

Jodi&Joe:

Why not the Leappad?

I read the reviews, and it seems the activities/books sort of stop at the 6ish y.o. level (although they advertise as up to 9 y.o.).  I don't think it would keep ML interested for much longer.  Also, I want them to be able to read ANY books, not just LF books. And keeping track of cartridges is, IME, impossible.

ETA: Also, the fact that it runs on AA batteries is a dealbreaker for me.   I'd prefer something that you can recharge via USB.

AggieCouple

j*w*:

I don't think I would.  I did, however, just get my 6 year old an Ipod touch, which costs about the same.  So, I can't quite put my finger on why I'm saying no.  I definitely would not get one for my 3 1/2 year old, I can say that!

The iPod touch was the first thing we thought of, but I don't want them reading on that tiny screen.   

lildevil968

I bought one for my 7 year old as her Santa gift. It is comparable to the iPad, but alot cheaper. Some of the consumer review sights say that is even better than the iPad.

Jodi&Joe

Well, it's $100 bucks more than the Leappad right?  I'd do it.  I just bought Joey an iPod Touch for his bday.  I bought a one year warranty for $35 more that guarantees it will be replaced with a new model for ANY reason (even if he throws it on the floor and stomps on it).  I like that the "higher end" accessories can be warrantied.  Amazon has AMAZING customer service (from that perspective).

I, however, am not sure I would get one for the little guy.  I am making Cam wait for the iPod Touch.  I told her when she is 7 she can have one.  She has accepted that without hesitation.  I might get her one for her next bday (so 6) but we'll see how Joey fairs with his and how much use it gets.  The poor kid -- I haven't been able to load it yet (it makes you connect to iTunes before allowing you do anything) and we don't have cable/internet.  He's been SO patient - so proud of him for that!

AggieCouple

lildevil968:

I bought one for my 7 year old as her Santa gift. It is comparable to the iPad, but alot cheaper. Some of the consumer review sights say that is even better than the iPad.

Yes, this would also be her/their Santa gift.  Or maybe their one present from us.  

 

AggieCouple

Jodi&Joe:

Well, it's $100 bucks more than the Leappad right?  I'd do it.  I just bought Joey an iPod Touch for his bday.  I bought a one year warranty for $35 more that guarantees it will be replaced with a new model for ANY reason (even if he throws it on the floor and stomps on it).  I like that the "higher end" accessories can be warrantied.  Amazon has AMAZING customer service (from that perspective).

I, however, am not sure I would get one for the little guy.  I am making Cam wait for the iPod Touch.  I told her when she is 7 she can have one.  She has accepted that without hesitation.  I might get her one for her next bday (so 6) but we'll see how Joey fairs with his and how much use it gets.  The poor kid -- I haven't been able to load it yet (it makes you connect to iTunes before allowing you do anything) and we don't have cable/internet.  He's been SO patient - so proud of him for that!

TB gets soooo upset when he can't do/get things that ML does because of his age.  I realize it's a fact of life he's going to have to accept, but I hate to make him feel we are being unfair.  He tells us all the time he's also 5, and also a Kindergartener.

Once you have Joey up on the touch, you can text him from your iPhone! 

Jodi&Joe

FWIW, and I know you know this, but it's not unfair for her to get things that he can't have.  It's a fact that she IS older.  Cam wants to be a boy (at times) and wishes she was born first (at times).  I get that.  I was a middle child.  But it is what it is (and I hate that saying).  LOL

Of course, it's ultimately up to you.  I don't take these things lightly however I try not to focus *too* much on cost.  I want my children to respect their things - whether that's a $10 squinky or a $200 iPod Touch.  IMO, there isn't much difference.  That's not to say I don't stress the fact that "this is VERY expensive" but I expect the same care, regardless of price.  Because of that, I try not to avoid things JUST because of price (of course, with the understanding that they ARE kids and crap IS going to happen and I have to be ok with being out the $200.  But from THEIR perspective - we respect and care for all of our possessions, regardless of cost).

happy_momma

If it were in the budget, I would. I'd love to get one for my 6 year old but it isn't really in the budget. We've been looking at some cheaper 7" tablets to see if there is anything decent closer to $100 or so.  I would not get a second one for a 3 year old, though. If I wanted them to each have something, I'd probably get a leappad for the younger one.

jlw2505

My 1st gut reaction was no but the more I think about it, the I could see it working well with my girls.  My kids both got iPod touches last year for Hanukkah and if I had the same basic type of rules around them (I hold them and we have set times when they can and can't be used and since the iPods are more for music, movies and games, they are not used often).  I could see a Kindle being kept in my room and my DH and I using it with the girls at night or quiet time or letting them use it on their own at those times or in the car on long drives.  It could be a great tool in getting kids more into reading.  I know my girls love flipping through actual books and I have not seen in person how the kids books look on the Kindle but I know the Nook is really cool and the interactive stuff is nice.  I could see it - not yet with my girls but in a year or two, I can see going to that especially since I have an ereader and DH uses the ereader app on his tablet.

nire99

No, I'd just buy them books.

My kids have a laptop that they use to play games on occassion, but that's as much technology as I want them exposed to right now.

bebemama

I would.  My DS is 4 and getting an ipod touch.  I like that it can grow with him and the apps are cheap and many educational options.  He has used my iphone responsibly for over a year.  I would also get your 3.5 year old one if it is in the budget and if he seems like he would be careful with it.   DS will not be allowed to play the ipod whenever he chooses, it will be limited and just be used for rewards and as at different times I feel it is appropriate. 

We have a leapster explorer and I hate that I have to spend 20 dollars every time we want to get a new game for him.  I think the kindle is a better option then the leap pad.  

DandelionMom

My 5 y/o = no.  But if it is in your price range, you are okay with it being smashed, and you are confident she'll understand how to take care of it then go for it.  I would not buy the younger child one though.  Maybe the leappad would be better for him. 

CleoKitty

Yes, I would provided that she is responsible and takes care of things.

FWIW, I'm actually considering an iPad (used) for my kids for Christmas for many of the same reasons. I hadn't realized that the Kindle Fire can pretty much do most of the same things, I'll have to look more into it now.

Goose51504

Considering my 5 and 2 year old are each getting an iPad for Christmas, I think getting your older two Kindle Fires is perfectly acceptable.

jnicks19

I wouldn't but that's just me.  You said you wanted something that does more than just books.  I just bought my 6yo a Nook (and not the color one) because I ONLY wanted it to be about reading.  I give them "screen" time when I want them to have it so I didn't want her to have 24/7access to the games, videos and apps that a Fire/Ipad would have.  

But for your 5 yo, I would.  For me it was only about access to the other things, not her age/responsibility.  I probably wouldn't for your younger one though.   

Lantaria

I would. My 3 year old uses my iPad on a daily basis. We have it insured with worth ave group.  They fix or replace it if something happens to it.  I dropped it a few weeks ago and cracked the screen. I was so glad I got the insurance.  I am considering getting both of my boys (5 and 3) the fire. I am tired of fighting hem for my iPad. 

AggieCouple

happy_momma:

If I wanted them to each have something, I'd probably get a leappad for the younger one.

But the cartridges for the LP are $18+ each.  Books for the kindle are as low as $3.99'ish, and I can check them out from the library, so potentially free.   It'd pay for the difference in as little as 5-6 books, not to mention the batteries, so if it was just about cost, it'd still be better to get him the KF.  But of course, the LP is probably better built for toddler hands.

I'd love to get them iPads, but that's way out of our budget.  I wish I had kept the other one for ML, but it's done now, and it would have been a major issue giving her one, and nothing even close for TB.