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Original poster

Best tablet for primary age kids?

13 replies

Wenchelda · 01/10/2018 14:54

Thinking about getting tablets for my 2 DCs (age 7 & 9) but no idea where to start.

I have an iPad mini, DH & I both have iPhones so I'm a bit lost when it comes to anything that isn't Apple. If money were no object, I'd get them both iPads too but I think that's way out of budget.

Whatever tablets we get need to have enough memory for games (Minecraft in particular, plus other more educational stuff!), I also want them to be able to store ebooks and audio books.

Is the Amazon fire the best alternative option? Thanks.

OP posts:
JeSuisPrest · 01/10/2018 14:59

DD aged 8 has had a Kindle Fire for a couple of years. Great little tablet, BUT I have had issues with the charging and headphone ports, both of which have been replaced. Solved by using a magnetic USB (she was a bugger for using it whilst it was charging which ruined the charging port), and she now uses Bluetooth headphones so no wires attaching to it at all. Touch wood no problems since. Even better value if you can get it on a Black Friday deal.

fraggle84 · 01/10/2018 18:00

Kindle fire

Misty9 · 01/10/2018 19:40

I've looked into this lots and have concluded that the iPad is probably the best option. The kindle fire is often suggested but has quite a lot of negative reviews about its downloads limit, not being able to view when out of Wi-Fi after 48 hours, and not being compatible with other app stores. I also hate Amazon Grin

I considered refurbing my iPad mini and giving dc that (and getting myseld something else) but in the end decided I'd hold off individual tablet ownership for as long as possible. That and the fact it would cause ww3 with his 4yo sister if ds had his own! But he's a young 7yo and isn't that aware of technology yet. I'm leaning towards a camera instead.

winesolveseverything · 01/10/2018 19:47

I had same dilemma last year. Didn't want to spend £££ on an iPad for an 8 yr old.

On advice from a friend I got a Lenovo 10-30...It has the same spec as the Samsung tabs but without the price tag. Think it cost £120 ish.. I was put off the kindle fires as there are some things you can't get on them..

It's been great- exactly what he needs at this stage. I have parental controls on it and I also use the norton app lock so he can't access the App Store or settings without me.

Will prob replace with an iPad when the time comes as he has proved he can look after it.. (although this prob won't be for a couple of years at least)

nocutsnobuttsnococonuts · 01/10/2018 19:49

My dds have had Amazon fire tablets for a couple of years now, they are still going strong.

They have loads of games, an easy to do child lock - so they can only access at certain times, and for a set amount of time, plus internet is limited to what websites I allow.

On black Friday they go down to around £30 an absolute bargain first tablet :)

WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 01/10/2018 19:52

If it was affordable, I'd say iPad mini. Perhaps refurbished ones from somewhere? We're all apple in our house, so if there's ever any issues with DS's iPad mini I find it's usually easy for me to sort out - I'd be lost on something else. We also have a family appleid so share music streaming etc. The latest iOS update has new features for controlling screen time too but I've not looked into that yet. That said, various nieces and nephews all have kindle fires and get on well with them.

Original poster
Wenchelda · 01/10/2018 19:56

Thanks all.

That's my feeling about iPads - I know how they work so would be fairly confident with the dcs using them; plus I'm loving the latest update which controls screen time. Any android tablet I'd be lost. But they are so expensive. Hadn't thought about refurbed ones so will investigate that further.

Not heard of the Lenovo before so I will look into that too :-)

OP posts:
WhatWouldTheDoctorDo · 01/10/2018 20:14

Music magpie do refurbished ones with a 12 month guarantee. I haven't bought from them, but I sell my old phones etc to them and always find them reliable. If you're looking at refurbished models watch out for the memory size though - look for at least 64gb.

Angelcd · 11/10/2018 20:53

My younger kids have amazon fire they are really hard wearing they dont break that easy, my daughter is a sn child and she throws hers alot ,id get a cover for them.watch out in argos they sometimes go down to £30 x

PrivateParkin · 11/10/2018 21:04

My DS has a Fire as well - really robust, and we bought a cheap SD card to download films/Audible books etc. So it has loads of storage on it using the card.

I actually got one for myself for my commute -we have an iPad mini which is a bit nicer to use/bigger screen etc, but I prefer carting the Fire around on the train because if that gets bashed it's not as much of a problem!

TooTrueToBeGood · 11/10/2018 21:06

Another vote for the fire tablet. I've bought one each for 5 of our grandkids so far. They all love them and none broken yet. Should be deals come black friday on Amazon.

sylvannia · 31/12/2018 00:19

We have reconditioned ipads which worked fine however the children put passwords on and forgot them and cannot get into the ipad anymore. Any suggestions. thanks

Angelinthenight · 07/01/2019 21:33

My lot have amazon fire tablets they are hard wearing and in sales they go down to £30 so if they do break it isnt a big deal.

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