Tablet recommendations for nearly 3 year old

[snoringnights]

Looking for recommendations of a tablet/ipad style for my nearly 3 year old? Going on holiday soon, first time on aeroplane and looking for something to help keep him entertained on the plane. ideally something I can download Netflix etc onto for films?

thanks

colouring books, No three year old needs a tablet. There are plenty of ways to entertain a three year old without having to resort to screens.

First post nails it, but if you ignore the advice, please don’t forget to purchase the headphones to go with it.

I have an Amazon fire kids tablet, which we use for travel.

Ignore the holier-than-thou posts - letting your kids watch a few cartoons on a long day of travel is hardly the crime of the century.

My three year old also liked travel Magnatiles and had a ‘airport’ car and plane set which they loved.

Don’t do it. Seriously, no need at that age. once they have one you have a heap of trouble limiting it. Interact with them instead, play cards, colouring, I spy.

Don’t……………
When I took mine at that age, they had small rucksacks with something to do (I.e. colouring, stickers, cars etc) for each hour we were on the plane.

I think Amazon fire kids tablets are good for that age, and a good case and some headphones

If a long enough flight, the plane likely has tv screens that will show child friendly shows. Dunelm do great mini playdoh sets in a travel case, also mini magnetic tiles are amazing! I usually get out a mix of these, snacks and sticker books before putting their headphones into the plane TVs.

Took an 11 hour flight with a 2 and 4 year old recently and we survived without tablets but did utilise the on board entertainment when the other options and naps had been exhausted.

None!

Dont. Use your phone if you must and set time limits. Otherwise have a bag of fidget bits and colouring books, stickers etc to keep them occupied. Ita been a few years since ive been on a plane but dont they have screens with films?

How long's the flight? We did regular long haul with our kids at that age (lived in Australia and came back every year to visit!)
I used to get a few cheap new toys/ crafts they hadnt seen before and then got one out each hour. Also the media package on the plane usually has a library of kids TV shows which helps - take your own kids headphones because the ones the airline provides won't fit them well.

A phone is far worse as they then know that’s an option - vs a ‘travel tablet’ which then disappears when you get home.

Only long haul flights have screens with films.

Stickers, colouring, find things style books, dobble, audiobooks downloaded onto your phone (BorrowBox is great if your local library has it) with headphones, finger puppets...

My biggest regret is introducing a tablet to my DS. Please delay it for as long as possible!!

But if you set a time limit you teach them that they can have it for say 10 minutes then they have to give it back. OP wants a tablet for films, far worse in my eyes to have a tablet they could have for the entire flight vs 10 minutes or so. Also tablet is money that could be spent on Sticker books, colouring books, fidget bits etc.

Also, only ever been on a plane 6 times, all have had screens regardless of time which is why I asked.

Concur with Amazon kids tablets.

Agree with PP. not being “holier than thou” but responding to all the latest research that suggests we keep kids away from tablets and phones for as long as we can!

My 4 year old has an Amazon fire kids for travel (very much a travel tablet but also his school have a phonics app so will be using it for that from September). We also have a yoto player which is great (and a million travel toys). I know people have 3/4 year olds that can travel without screens but my 4 year old won’t sit for 4 hours just with his toys and the yoto player. He gets to watch a movie and everybody gets some peace!

Agree with this. We have a 3.5yo and got an Amazon fire tablet. It got brought out for the last hour of a 5hr flight after all toys and snacks had been exhausted. It got used on the flight home too and then was put away, he has never seen or asked for it again. We downloaded episodes of fairly calm things and it had some cbeebies games on. He does not have a tablet or small screen at home. We plan to refer to it as the aeroplane tablet next holiday and be firm with limits.

iPad pro, 13 inch M5. Banging tablet. Little fella will love it

Usbourne sticker books are brilliant for plane journeys,and the ispy aeroplane books.

I recommend not getting a tablet. Put it off for as long as possible

Amazon fire is terrible piece of rubbish. Don't bother. Get a refurbished iPad off Amazon. Worth it in long run

Please don't. The longer you can go without the better. My daughter loved sticker books at that age.

@snoringnights We have had iPads, Samsung tablets, Lenovo and Amazon kindle fire.

And the winner is... Lenovo! They aren't expensive, you can put Netflix on them, Bluetooth headphones, and 5 years later they're still working fine!

My next favourite was the Samsung - I actually prefer this to the Lenovo but it was more expensive. Once you get used to the Lenovo then there is no difference to be honest. The iPad was fine, but ridiculously expensive with no extra advantage for the price, so a complete waste of money. The kindle fire was crap. Really difficult to get playstore installed etc... very difficult to set up parent controls compared to the others!

But other than the flight, I'd make it clear to your 3 year old that it is YOUR tablet, and as a treat for the flight only. I'm not a fan of kids and tablets.

Don’t you just love all these holier than thou arses who could never possibly give a tablet to a 3 year old?!

Ours have all had Amazon fire tablets. And for what it’s worth have all turned into well rounded teenagers with no social, emotional or behavioural issues because we monitor and respect what and how much they watch!