Tablet for toddler

Quazzie

I have a three year old son who loves to sit down and play games on my old iPhone 3GS. Because of this I've decided to buy him a tablet for Xmas. My first choice would be an iPad, if for no other reason that I could sync it with my account and use it myself. Unfortunately a combination of funds being tight and me being unwilling to hand something worth just shy of €500 to a three year old means I won't be getting an iPad.

This leaves me with an option of buying a cheaper tablet which runs Android. This is the one I've been looking at and I've settled on this basically because its so close to Xmas, so online delivery couldn't be guaranteed, and its in a store that I can bring it back to if I have problems.

First up I'd welcome any comments on this tablet, or any other suggestions for alternatives.

Secondly, and the main reason for this thread. Can anyone suggest any apps that would suit a 3 year old buy. I know the selection probably isn't as vast as on the iPhone, but I'm totally clueless when it comes to android so I really am open to anything that can be suggested.

Wile E. Coyote

Are you serious? He's a child, buy him toys that will get him out in the fresh air not something that'll turn him into a zombie.

justified

they see me trollin'..... ?!

Quazzie

He gets plenty of fresh air. The object of this is that he will get use out of it, playing games, warching movies, etc in the evenings when he is on his wind down or when in the car which is usually the hardest time to keep him awake.

I'm sure there is a parenting forum around here if you feel the need to continue broadcasting your useful tips, but can you please leave this thread to what it was intended for.

dazed+confused

Seriously, can we move this thread to the parenting forum to see what kind of a reaction it gets?

A tablet for a three year old? That's just vulgar!

Buy him some Lego FFS!

4zn76tysfajdxp

robinph

BBC News covered tablets for kids in this weeks episode of Click:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/9663418.stm

Atomic Pineapple

There's loads of book and learning type apps available on Android making a cheap tablet a good learning tool for toddlers through to young kids.

I don't get the idea that giving a toddler a tablet is a bad thing it's essentially a modern way of providing the same learning toys I had as a child through story book apps, spelling apps, visual representation apps, sound apps.

Describing it as vulgar is an extremely backwards way of thinking in my opinion. And a tablet won't turn any kid into a zombie with correct usage, same as a console.

wnolan1992

Wish my parents had bought me a tablet when I was three....

get him one of those fake laptop things from like Leapfrog or something with all the educational games and let him off. A lot cheaper, and will do virtually the same thing, keep him entertained in the car, in the evenings, etc.

Atomic Pineapple

Here's some example apps that were in the 10 cent sale last week (back to full price now unfortunately) to give you an idea.

https://market.android.com/details?id=tipitap.coloring.phones&feature=apps_timed_promotion

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.oceanhouse_media.bookbbbedtimebattle_app&feature=apps_timed_promotion

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.outfit7.talkingtom2&feature=apps_timed_promotion

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.intellijoy.android.reading&feature=apps_timed_promotion

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.toddler.spanish&feature=apps_timed_promotion

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.anahoret.android.dots&feature=apps_timed_promotion

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.oceanhouse_media.booklcjustmeandmymom_app&feature=apps_timed_promotion

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.oceanhouse_media.booklcwhenigetbigger_app&feature=apps_timed_promotion

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.oceanhouse_media.booklcallbymyself_app&feature=apps_timed_promotion

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.tipitap&feature=apps_timed_promotion

https://market.android.com/details?id=com.outfit7.talkingbenpro&feature=apps_timed_promotion

Quazzie

wnolan1992 wrote: »

Wish my parents had bought me a tablet when I was three....

get him one of those fake laptop things from like Leapfrog or something with all the educational games and let him off. A lot cheaper, and will do virtually the same thing, keep him entertained in the car, in the evenings, etc.

That was my thinking till I thought about it. They aren't either of those. Ok the initial cost is cheaper, only €50 cheaper mind, but its buying the additional materials like apps and cartridges that will cost the most money. I've read online of some of the cartridges costing up to Stg£30. With a proper tablet a lot of the games/apps will be free, or at least significantly cheaper. My son also loves watching TV shows, and cartoons. The second major benefit of getting a full size tablet is that he can watch these shows on the move, or even just lying up on the couch for a half hour before bed when he needs to wind down.

Thanks Draffodx. That list is exactly what I was hoping for.

wnolan1992

Quazzie wrote: »

That was my thinking till I thought about it. They aren't either of those. Ok the initial cost is cheaper, only €50 cheaper mind, but its buying the additional materials like apps and cartridges that will cost the most money. I've read online of some of the cartridges costing up to Stg£30. With a proper tablet a lot of the games/apps will be free, or at least significantly cheaper. My son also loves watching TV shows, and cartoons. The second major benefit of getting a full size tablet is that he can watch these shows on the move, or even just lying up on the couch for a half hour before bed when he needs to wind down.

Thanks Draffodx. That list is exactly what I was hoping for.

When you explain it like that, I guess you've got a point, especially for the TV shows, movies aspect.

Looking at that tab, I reckon it's pretty good value for what you're paying and for what you want it for. Definitely a better option the iPad imho. The ebook reader I'd imagine will come in handy.

justsomebloke

truthfully I think you are going to be slightly screwed due to the fact that you are now dependent on bricks and mortar shops if you are looking to get it before christmas.

I think this is probably the best value for money tablet at the moment at the budget end http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056475836

Quazzie

justsomebloke wrote: »

truthfully I think you are going to be slightly screwed due to the fact that you are now dependent on bricks and mortar shops if you are looking to get it before christmas.

I think this is probably the best value for money tablet at the moment at the budget end http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2056475836

I agree, and I spotted that thread. Unfortunatel my procrastination means that I've hummed and hawed for too long and I'm now in this prediciment.

TheReverend

Just check in the likes of Pc World for the cheapest android tablet, he is just a kid so speed and stuff wont matter much

justsomebloke

Quazzie wrote: »

I agree, and I spotted that thread. Unfortunatel my procrastination means that I've hummed and hawed for too long and I'm now in this prediciment.

He is 3 just buy him a couple of action men for Chrimbo and then just wait for delivery and give him the tablet in a couple of weeks. He is too young to know you forgot about him

Quazzie

justsomebloke wrote: »

He is 3 just buy him a couple of action men for Chrimbo and then just wait for delivery and give him the tablet in a couple of weeks. He is too young to know you forgot about him

I didn't forget about him. Just a combination of being undecided about what one to buy, and waiting for money to come through meant I've missed my chance to buy online.

pickarooney

The tablet in the OP is actually running Gingerbread (2.3) and not Honeycomb (3.2) as advertised. Other than that (and the fact it's out of stock) it looks like a decent buy.

I probably would have been appalled at the thought of a 3 year old having a tablet a year ago but my son uses mine a bit and it's fantastic for car journeys and other times when they need to be distracted and can't move about.

Quazzie

There are 3 in stock. in Rathmines (2), and in the City Centre (1)*. The 10" version is €209, and the 7" version is €149 and both are available easily. I think I'll go with the 10" so I can use it myself sometimes to watch movies.

*stock correct as of yesterday at 11am.