A tablet for my 2yo?

jd05ic · March 2013

I can't believe that I'm even about to ask this question but here goes: I've downloaded tonnes of (educational) games onto my iphone and my toddler absolutely LOVES them. I don't mind them too much because they're all educational and I limit his playtime to car rides, plane rides and other times where i absolutely need quiet entertainment. I'd really rather buy him his own tablet that is less expensive so that I dont always have to give up MY entertainment. Can anyone recommend a SUPER CHEAP tablet that will allow me to download games and other apps from an appstore (and store movies/tv shows) in the same way that I can with my iPhone/iPad?

I'm not interested in any of the leapfrog products simply because cartridges are SO expensive and I'd rather be able to download apps than go to a store an dish out $40 for a new game that he'll be bored with in a week!

Thanks for your help!

st.augbride · March 2013

We basically just bought a tablet for the sole purpose of entertaining our 2 yr old when we travel. We got a Samsung one for about $250. It was really a good deal and clearly we can use it for other things too, but we needed it for him since we are about to go on a plane.

Kougl Wife to Be! · March 2013

Great question...I'm looking into this as well! Can't wait for the responses!

mexicolombiana · March 2013

We bought our 2 yr old a used nook color a few months ago and now she rarely plays with it. There's a slight delay when you play games and since it's really made to be a reader it doesn't handle apps very smoothly IMO.

So then I bought my husband a really nice Samsung tablet for like $475.00. It was meant to be for him, but guess who uses it the most? Yep. the toddler. She knows how to navigate it and we've downloaded great apps for her.

There are a lot of rules on the table since we're afraid she'll break it. We don't leave it around the house and she can't play with it during the day while the nanny and her granddaughter are at home because I don't want it to break while she's with the nanny and then the nanny feels bad about it. Also since sharing is so hard for toddlers I don't want the other little girl getting jealous.

So she only uses it while supervised by us and at night in bed or in the morning in bed. It's never left laying around the house and the baby isn't allowed to play with it unsupervised either.

All of this has actually worked really well for us, but the table was NOT cheap.

So I would say maybe try the kindle fire but again IMO an actual tablet will work more smoothly for apps. Good luck!

alake · March 2013

My kids get money for Christmas and birthdays and almost any other holiday from my parents and my in laws. The five and seven year old just bought themselves I Pad minis with some of the money. We fly lots. Since the week before Halloween they have been on 8 international flights with at least one layover per flight. They flew Wednesday the last time. They have had I-pod touches for the last year and they decided to get the I-Pads.

1026pumpkin · March 2013

ItsAllGravy7:
Kindle Fire....$199. My 2.5 year old plays tons of games on ours.

My friend has this and her DS loves it. If you already have apple apps, maybe you can get a refurbished older ipad or ipod touch and be able to put the apps you already bought on it???

brettsmama · March 2013

I read really good reviews about the Innotab 2 on here. I don't think it needs cartridges. We found several Android tablets online for under 100 dollars. We haven't bought one yet, but hopefully will soon.

dragon_chica · March 2013

Whatever you decide I suggest you buy used. When I was looking at tablets for my dad I went on craigslist and there were tons for sale because someone got it as a gift and didn't like it or they bought one themselves and then got the same one as a gift. DH bought my Kindle off of craigslist, brand new.

logoz80 · March 2013

My 2 year old took over my Kindle Fire and loves it.

rayandbrit · March 2013

DH surprised DD with a kindle. I was pissed at first because I thought it would turn into a really bad habit, but it's actually very easy to monitor. There are tons of parent safety locks & settings, so she can only access her books and games. Additionally, unlike the tv, we can put it up and away when we need to. It's been great for travel and is easy to bring along when she accompanies me to long Dr. Appts, etc.

DH would never let me hear the end of this if he saw me typing it, but I'm actually really glad we got it & would recommend it to toddler parents.

PunkyBooster · March 2013

Ds has a lesppad. His apps are abt 7 each.

I actually set up kid time on my kindle fire and he just takes that. He's more proficient on the iPad but that was also more expensive so I'm more apt to give him the lesppad or fire.

meheron80 · March 2013

Our two year old has an inotab 2s. We love it. You can download all the games vs going to store. It has a university program that you can register for which has given us about six free apps. The generic apps are around 3 bucks. The namebrand like disney are 20 to 25. Each week I usually add a cheap game. It has a camera, video camera, coloring. My only issue is it runs on batteries. I purchased a car adapter and home adapter but it just saves battery life. In one month we went through one set of batteries. I just need to purchase rechargable for it. We also bought a case for it which stands up. Only difference between it and my nook is no netflix watching but for most part she plays in the car on our daily hour drive to and from sitter.

shaw · March 2013

We found an ipad 1 on Craigslist and negotiated the price of $160. Apps are free! IMO, who would pay for the leapfrogs AND GAMES when there are plenty of educational FREE apps out there.

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