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

I'm really not trying to be holier than thou but have older kids (8 and 10) and would really recommend never getting into tablets being an expectation. We've never taken one on any journey and they've therefore never grown to expect it on journeys or at any other time.

Colouring books, books, sticker books, magazines, pen and paper, mini magnetic tiles, mini figures etc (plus lots of snacks!) were all great at occupying our two. We bought a yoto for my youngest when she turned 7 and I really wish we'd bought one years ago - they'll both list to audio books and music on that (2 sets of headphones plugged in with a separator cable).

I empathise. We are taking our nearly 3 year old on his first long haul flight this summer. In business class so we won’t actually be able to see each other during take off and landing. I worry he won’t stay in his seat and have considered a tablet. However, we have decided against one, cost being a factor. Books, LCD drawing pad, colouring, fidgets etc is plenty.

Oh yeah, I knew there was another big hit (still being used years on) - LCD drawing pads. Would defo recommend one of those.

Absolutely this. I always used to
buy my two children new sticker books, colouring books or
comics. A new teddy or little toy sometimes

A yoto and headphones

kindle fire has worked well for us. My daughter has had one since around that age and is now 7. She’s not addicted and it’s not an issue. She does a LOT of non-screen activities too.

The problem is that those who give tablets to young children see "nothing wrong with some cartoons..."

Don't do it.

I took my 3 year old on holiday on a plane over 40 years ago. There was more than enough to interest him.
Just make sure your child has something to suck on take off and landing to balance out the ear pressure.
Get him a book on flying.
How long is the flight!

Another holier than thou person here... why do you need a tablet? People have managed to entertain children on flights for decades, why do they suddenly need their brain to be fucked up now?

A tablet for a small amount of time on a plane isn’t going to fuck up anyone’s brain. Some people on here are so over the top. She asked for recommendations for a tablet for travelling, not hard drugs

Mine have had ipad minis since that age - they're bullet proof in a case.

plus headphones obviously.

I've never had issues with them putting it away when told, because it was non-negotiable. They all have no trouble with concentration, a wide range of interests, polite, well behaved, doing well at school. One's a reader, one isn't etc.

There's no way I'm letting a kid get toy cars and cards and crayons out on an airplane. I remember eldest had a favourite car once, and he dropped it so often, had to ask people rows up if it had rolled up under their feet etc. Tablet was much better.

It isn’t about ‘letting your kid watch a few Netflix cartoons’, it’s about introducing a 2 year old to an iPad is an awful idea, incredibly lazy parenting, and you will absolutely regret by the time they’re a teenager. It should be banned, and probably will be soon. As a teacher, I can tell you that ‘something’ that has happened in the last decade has had a devastating affect on children, many of whom are now completely incapable of learning; the introduction of iPads is a good guess, amongst others.

No 2 or 3 year old should have a tablet

It's insanely lazy parenting

It's never a 'small amount' of time though. Just lazy parenting IMO

What would he have done on a journey 50 years ago?

incredibly lazy parenting

ROFL - tell me you don't keep the tablet locked down, monitor what they're watching, engage them in conversation about it, play games with them on it without telling me huh!

Anyone who thinks that a 2 year old will just be 'watching cartoons' on their tablet just hasn't put any effort into their 2 year-old's tablet.

I wish I’d never given mine a screen at that age. Nightmare to regulate. Sticker books, colouring, simple card games. Picture books. Travel games.

Of course you know every parent ever can’t enforce limits 🙄

None

Well, 40 years ago, we listened to the same tapes over and over, and threw up into tupperware.

These days my kids listen to something they're actually interested in (as do I, since they can watch their own thing - although I do sometimes earwig on my elder child's stuff as he listens to some very interesting you-tubers) and have travel sickness tablets (I could never swallow them when I was a child).

I just wouldnt even go down that route. We've taken ours away 6 times and never used one. We pack toys, colouring books, games, snack boxes etc. The problem isn't watching things, it's that once you've opened the door to devices its going to be hard to go back again. If the flight is longer haul, they'll have screens in the back of the seats. If short haul, you can probably manage with above suggestions. Failing that if you do choose to get a device, headphones are a must.

I think there’s a happy middle ground here. Your child’s brain won’t fall out its ears if you use a tablet occasionally when travelling.

Personally I’d draw the line at getting them their own tablet. My son watches films on our iPad when travelling but he very rarely watches it at home and we also limit TV.

I really really tried to avoid the iPad travelling - I did all the sticker books and fidget toys and a drawing pad and all of that but they just didn’t hold his attention long, he’s just a really active kid and, with the exception of watching something, he doesn’t do sitting down focusing unless it’s after activity. Also it’s my holiday too - sometimes it’s nice to be able to read my kindle or nap on a flight 🤷🏻‍♀️

His brain appear to be doing ok. And we’re currently doing no TV except for Friday film nights and he’s been out riding his bike after nursery for three nights in a row.

I tried the Amazon fire brand but found it quite limited so I bought DS an iPad mini when he was about that age and downloaded various educational apps and games on it and played them with him.

He was reading fluently and had excellent basic number skills before starting Primary school and despite what some people think, having tech at a young age has been incredibly beneficial, especially as he has been diagnosed with autism in his teens.

We use our iPad for our 4/5yr old. They only have it on the plane, we’ve never used it anywhere else. They’re so excited about watching Octonauts and they tell me all about the sea creatures and animals (they know more facts about them than I do). It makes plane journeys a delight for everyone. They’ve not asked for it anywhere else, we go out for long dinners and lunches and they’re engaged and chatty (no need for toys or crafts).

Personally I don’t see an issue as it works well for our family. As long as you have headphones, I’m not really sure what business it is of anyone else. Just do what works for you and your child. Yes, people didn’t use them years ago, but I’m not sure the behaviour of children on planes was any better without them!