Tablet for a toddler? Velocity M-Cruz?

[murphy55d]

What would you all recommend for a toddler? My wife and I both have android phones and we have a lot of apps/games that our 2 year old loves, and we'd like to get her one of her own so she can have all her animal apps and such on her own little device.

I'm not spending a ton on this, Walmart.com has a Velocity one for $59. I don't want to spend much more than that, anyone have anything more specific? I think my biggest concern is that the screen is somewhat responsive, I know my bro in law bought their daughter some kind of tablet thing from Big Lots and she has to use a stylus, which I do not want for a 2 year old.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

No, just no.

 

[murphy55d]

Thanks for the helpful recommendation.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

The idea that any tablet is somehow appropriate for a toddler is just plain crazy. I think you need to reevaluate the world you live in without the aid of electronics.

 

[murphy55d]

Again, thanks for the helpful recommendation.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

If you're dead set there's this. Toddlers learn by exploring the world around them. Tablets/computers/phones all concentrate the users attention in one place isolating focus from the world around them. These are bad lessons for toddlers (or adults for that matter) to learn. I know you didn't ask for philosophy just recommendations but, I see way too many adults who don't have the social or learning skills to interact with the real (not online) world.

 

[s44]

Yeah, I don't think the Vinci's a good deal compared to the Nabi 2 ($200 Tegra3). But I do think toddlers may be a bit young for that.

 

[sswingle]

Get a top of the line iPad 3 because since we are talking about insane things, may as well take it and run with it.

 

[corkyg]

Get her one of those the toddler does E-Trade investments with. I would go with one designed for toddlers. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x0GsNhLt9Ds

http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/2011/12/review-of-tablets-for-kids/index.htm

The long range effect regarding the development of live social skills has not yet been determined.

 

[Mopetar]

I know you didn't ask for philosophy just recommendations but, I see way too many adults who don't have the social or learning skills to interact with the real (not online) world.

Within the next 20 years, the online could very well end up being more real than the 'real' world. People are already spending a huge amount of time on social networks and I doubt it will subside any time soon.

That Windows Phone 7 commercial from a few years back is more true than people would like to believe. People are utterly absorbed in their devices these days.

 

[murphy55d]

I see no difference in getting one of these cheap than an overpriced leapPad($100+) or similar item. I'd rather pay 99 cents for a learning android app than a game for one of those which cost who knows what. It is not a babysitter, we have bought apps for her and would rather her play them on something than our phones. Thanks for the parenting tips, but that wasn't what I was looking for.

 

[MagickMan]

My cousin's daughter is almost 3 and she has a first gen iPad, it was my cousin's until she upgraded to a new iPad. It has all her Sesame Street and learning apps on it, she loves the thing and plays with it constantly.

 

[shortylickens]

Until Motorola makes a Tundra Tab, I wouldn't recommend it.

 

[corkyg]

OK - why not just give her your phone and you get a new one?

 

[murphy55d]

OK - why not just give her your phone and you get a new one?

Not due for an upgrade. If it was an older phone I wouldn't care, but since we aren't anywhere near upgrade status, I don't want our phones ending up in the dog bowl or something. Which is why I wondered on the cheapy tablet from Walmart.

 

[Tom]

I think the Ematic EGL25BL at Walmart for $69 seems better equipped for the money.

Its a great idea btw, lots of clueless comments you've received so far.

For more moeny I'd consider the Nabi2 , an ipod Touch 4th Gen., or a Kindle Fire. All are rugged enough for a toddler.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Within the next 20 years, the online could very well end up being more real than the 'real' world. People are already spending a huge amount of time on social networks and I doubt it will subside any time soon.

That Windows Phone 7 commercial from a few years back is more true than people would like to believe. People are utterly absorbed in their devices these days.

This scares the fuck out of me. Because no matter how real, absorbing or, how many people are using social networks and online worlds. It all disappears when you log out or the power dies. Physical exchanges can never happen online barring replicators.

The real world doesn't give a damn about who or what you are online. Folks who think their online interests, personas and, relationships mean ANYTHING in the real world are just plain crazy. This has nothing to do with 'youts' versus 'geezers,' this has to do with delusional behavior somehow becoming acceptable.

 

[sswingle]

Let the 4 year old play with my Nexus 7. Got dropped in about 5 minutes. Not happening again. Couldn't imagine a 2 year old with one.

 

[Oyeve]

Etch-a-sketch

 

[murphy55d]

I think the Ematic EGL25BL at Walmart for $69 seems better equipped for the money.

Its a great idea btw, lots of clueless comments you've received so far.

For more moeny I'd consider the Nabi2 , an ipod Touch 4th Gen., or a Kindle Fire. All are rugged enough for a toddler.

Saw that one but its a resisitive screen. The Velocity would respond a little better to her little fingers, being a capacitive screen. At least I would think.

 

[mikeymikec]

I think a toddler would get as much if not more entertainment from an Etch-a-Sketch, and those are built for children.

I'm imagining some of the threads to pop up in the next few years:

"Anyone know of a decent tablet repair company?"

"My child has gone through three tablets already, does anyone know of a more durable tablet?"

"Bringing up kids these days is expensive isn't it?"

 

[ponyo]

I don't have any recommendations because I don't have any personal experience with cheap Chinese Android tablets.

I do have experience with iPads, iPod Touch, and iPhone for toddlers and kids. My older cousin's son had his own iPad since birth and is now 2 yrs old. iPad is like second nature to him and he uses it to watch Barney and other shows streamed through AirVideo. My two nephews had their own iPads since one was 3 and other 5 years old. They're both better with iPads than me and use it like it's extension of their hands. The older one who's now 7 has his own iPod Touch which I bought for him and the younger one who's 5 now has iPhone 4 since my sister gave that to him after she upgraded to iPhone 5. They think iPad, iPod Touch, and iPhones are the greatest thing ever and take very good care of it. They might be rough with other toys but not so with the iPad and iPods. My daughter didn't get her own iPad and iPod Touch til she was 7. But that's because the devices weren't out. We have multiple iOS and Android devices in our household so she's very comfortable with both platforms and uses both.

This is just my family and relatives. Pretty much every family we know with little kids all have iPads, iPod Touches, and iPhones for their little ones. They're all fine. The kids all have Nintendo DS too. I personally think iOS devices are better than DS for kids as it allows them to play more than games. They all seem to prefer iOS products over DS based on observed usage.

 

[snoturtle]

What about an older android phone or a older ipod touch?

Should be able to get either with something like an otterbox for under 100

I have a first gen moto droid that one of my kids(6) uses and she loves it
She is a little older though so I don't put it in a case and she has been fine with it

From all of my looking we will probably get her an ipad this year as there seems to be alot more educational stuff on the ipad than android

 

[Nintendesert]

I think a toddler would get as much if not more entertainment from an Etch-a-Sketch, and those are built for children.

I'm imagining some of the threads to pop up in the next few years:

"Anyone know of a decent tablet repair company?"

"My child has gone through three tablets already, does anyone know of a more durable tablet?"

"Bringing up kids these days is expensive isn't it?"

"My child doesn't know how to socialize with other kids."

"My child can't even walk on grass because she's never played with it before."

"My child is always sick."

"My child has ADHD."


Sorry, but electronic devices to include tablets,phones and gameboys retard the mental development of kids. It's addicting and really harmful. This from a person that's been building computers for over 20 years and works in IT and loves technology. Giving kids that young these devices creates too many issues to be worth it. I've seen young kids handed these devices as babysitting tools, they can use them and fly through it all but as soon as you take the device away... it's scary.

 

[Geekbabe]

What would you all recommend for a toddler? My wife and I both have android phones and we have a lot of apps/games that our 2 year old loves, and we'd like to get her one of her own so she can have all her animal apps and such on her own little device.

I'm not spending a ton on this, Walmart.com has a Velocity one for $59. I don't want to spend much more than that, anyone have anything more specific? I think my biggest concern is that the screen is somewhat responsive, I know my bro in law bought their daughter some kind of tablet thing from Big Lots and she has to use a stylus, which I do not want for a 2 year old.

If it were me I'd post on the for sale/ for trade forums here looking for a rooted Nook color, you can probably pick one up really inexpensively.I'd put a really sturdy case on the Nook, you'd have a tablet that would be enjoyable for your child that would also be useful for you & your wife.