To get my 4 yr old a ipad or DS?

[lisaleelu]

My 4 year old loves going on the cbeebies gameson my lap top. But he does struggle a bit with the mouse. I was thinking of getting him and ipad or Nintendo Ds for Christmas.

I dont want any lectures on kids using computers. I have weighed that one up myself. His use will be monitored and limited.

We are going to visit family in Australia at Christmas and I thought an ipad might be worth investing in (obviously the whole family would use it) as I think you can watch DVD on it - so good for the long flight as would games to play.

I am quite an old mum - 44 so out of touch with computer games and stuff - but I have heard people talkign about DS's get the impression they are small hand held games things. Realise much cheaper than ipad but not as only for games- are the games educational - can you get the cbeebies games - dont want him to play games that invovle shooting people if you get what i mean.

Will a 4 year old likely break an ipad - do they break easy? He is not the gentelest of kids.

Any other ideas - the journey to oz and keeping him occupied is a big part of the decision.

My dh think £400ish to spend on a 4 yr old is obscene but I am think we would all use it i think.

What do you think?

Thank you so much for all your replies (well most of you a few are so judgemental) I am not perfect and I said I have weighed up using computer games/ DVDs not that i had weighed up or even understoond the difference between ipad and ds. Cant beileve the person who said my child was spolit as i was an older mother - how judemental and unreasonable is that!

i did not realise there were other options like ipod, andypad and leap frog. I aslo did not realise you could not play dvds on the ipad. Shocked at that! So i need to do some more research. I should point out if we went for the ipad it would be for the family - but as dh says we dont really need one we would only really be getting it so he could use it - that said i'd 'like' one! If we went for the Ds i'd propbably give him that as a present.

Anyway going to google the other suggestions

I wouldn't get an ipad that young because of the cost and breakage/ loss of it. A DS is a good idea because they are relatively easy to use and lots of choice of games. The DVDs won't be necessary as they play childrens films on the aircraft on screens with headphones to listen usually, especially long haul flights.

or you could just take the laptop and use the arrow keys/ pad instead of the mouse to play games and DVDs, read books downloaded? Youtube for music, childrens programmes using WiFi

I have just had a look at the leapfrog pad - to me it looks fab - think i might go for that.
Doen't solve the dvd issue but perhaps i;ll take my lap top and he can watch the, on that.
whilst i appreciate they show films in the back of the seat- we went last year and he would not watch them - he is now older and maybe more flexiable -but i find he like the familar - mickey mouse club houes, thomas the tank engine - he will watch for hours. which is what you need on a long flight and drive.
Btw i also have a 2 year old and what will be a 9 month old when we go - it will be fun and games!!

MY DS, aged 2, has been able to recognise letter and numbers from early 2 because he plays games on my itouch!! We have an ipad 2 but dcs, 2,5,8,9 are only allowed to play with that supervised.

Is an itouch an ipod?

yes.

ok i'll have a look at those too - dh has an ipod but not a touch one.

I have two friends (one is Alouiseg) whose children attend a state secondary school that has just given every single pupil an ipad. Judging by the squashed, broken and bent state of everything in my children's school bags over the years, and knowing how boys aged 11-14 love to clout one another around the head with their school bags for fun, or use them as temprary goalposts, or leave them on buses, I'd say that they will be regretting that decision by Christmas.

temporary

[hshock]

I think those Leap Pad things look brilliant - has anyone got one? What are the games like? Suitable for a five year old?

not read any of the thread - dont leappad do a childs version of the ipad though?

I have an iPad that DS (almost 4) loves but I'm most likely going to get him the LeapPad. Haven't read the whole thread but glad to see someone else suggested it. From what I understand, it works with all Leapster Explorer games which is an advantage since there are some many different platforms with their own games/books. I also like the fact that it's got a camera built in so that's one less thing to have to get DS. It's also got good reviews on the US Amazon site - the one big issue seems to be battery life. I can imagine switching off with him on long haul flights so he can also watch some of his shows on the iPad while I amuse myself with the inflight magazines or tv.

As it is, DS knows he's only allowed the iPad under strict supervision and only under certain circumstances, i.e. restaurants, hotels and flights. The LeapPad appeals to me because he could also use it during long car rides (we easily drive 3 hour round trip to go shopping - gotta love rural USA). There's no way I'd allow him in the backseat with my precious iPad. [hsmile]

Dont know if anyone has already mentioned it but have you looked at a Vtech InnoTab? I've just been looking at them as thinking of getting one for dd1, they are a kiddies Ipad aimed at 4-9 yr olds and cost around £80.

Sorry dont know how to do a link but just google it and you'll find it.

You know, if you can afford an iPad for your 4 year old, who the hell are we to say you shouldn't. My youngest child had an iPod Touch for his 4th Christmas, as he kept using my iPhone. Now, he steals my iPad, but I don't really use it enough to warrant buying him his own.

If that's what you want to buy your child, buy it! Who cares what anyone else thinks?!

I haven't read the whole thread but if you do get the iPad consider a GRIFFIN GB02480 Survivor Extreme-Duty Military Case. You might also consider an iPod touch. I got one for ds2 last year for Christmas. He had just turned 4 the month before.

Another possibility - the new Kindle Fire.

I think we have pretty much all the gadgets mentioned

There are pros and cons to all of them. I love love love my iPad but my DTs who are 4 are not allowed to use it without my supervision as I am worried they will break it. The battery can drain quite quickly so I'm not sure I would rely on it for a long haul flight.

I bought a secondhand iPod touch on eBay after DS1 dropped my iPhone and broke the screen. Loads of apps for kids, many of which are free or very cheap.

The DS is good and seems more robust. The battery life is pretty good too. Obviously you need to buy games but you can pick them up secondhand.

We have recently bought a leap pad so that both DTs have something to play with on holiday. It is very good, lots of educational games for it and the built in camera is a bonus. The games are not cheap though and you need to buy a few. It also eats batteries so you would need to have a supply for the plane/car as it dies with little warning.

My 4 year old has a ds and loves it. She received it last xmas. I cannot understand why people are so judgemental about it being introduced to younger children. My 2 1/2 year old can also navigate it really well. It's a fantastic method of introducing puzzles and drawing to them. I loved computers and technology from a young age and now as an adult am completely confident in using technology/computer systems/basic computer language. I never really got into gaming but was more interested in the capabilities of IT.

Computer use is a skill, they will be using it in school for projects and homework and most jobs now need a basic understanding of it. I'm amazed how many people in my workplace cannot use a mouse properly or write a simple document in word. Let your children get involved in technology! Obviously I would never let my children use those horrible violent games for hours on end - supervise and decide wht is appropriate as in most aspects of parenting. The judgemental people would let their children do a puzzle or colouring/drawing in a book - so why an earth not on a computer???????????

The judgemental people would let their children do a puzzle or colouring/drawing in a book - so why an earth not on a computer??????????

There be demons in that there technology don't you know [hgrin]

But with the Griffin case you take the whole "they might break it" issue off the table.

zd it isn't about danger in technology, more that an ipad is expensive and I wouldn't want it broken by a handfisted child! They can have as many colouring books, puzzles, pens as they like - huge cost difference

Ipads are excellent, dh and I had them since the day they came out and the Ds have their school ones which are lovingly encased in smash proof, crack proof cases. We love them.

I'd really love to know how many of the people who have wailed 'they break' actually OWN an IPAD.

I have them for my 3YO DS and 2YO DD and they fab. They have been sat on, stood on, squashed, god knows what else.

They are brilliant.

I limit internet access, but the apps are fab. Our particular fave is Peppa Pig's party, where you can make cakes and invites, play games and look at photos.

I know they are quite expensive, but they ARE worth it.