Read MNers’ feedback on the Amazon Fire Kids Edition tablet. Non-testers, £300 voucher to be won! NOW CLOSED!

[AaronMumsnet]

This is the feedback thread for those 30 MNers who tested the Amazon Fire Kids Edition tablet.

Here’s what Amazon has to say about the product: “Fire Kids Edition tablets are built around three ideas: 1) kids break things, 2) kids want real tablets, not a toy, and 3) parents don’t want to worry about the bill. Each full-featured tablet comes with a kid-friendly case, and a 2-year worry free guarantee—if they break it, we’ll replace it, no questions asked. The device also comes with a year subscription to Fire for Kids Unlimited for unlimited access to thousands of kid-friendly books, movies, TV shows, educational apps, and games, and best-in-class parental controls to manage usage limits, content access and help set educational goals.”

Testers, please answer the questions below:

• What does your child think about of the Fire Kids Edition tablet? Did they enjoy using it?
• What did you think about the protection package that is included with the device (i.e. the kid-friendly case and 2-year worry free guarantee)?
• How easy did you find the parental controls to use? If so, what were your favourite features?
• Was your child happy with the content available through the 1 year Fire for Kids Unlimited subscription? Did you/they feel anything was missing?
• What did you think about the Parent Dashboard?

Non-testers, what parental control features would be most important to you in a child’s tablet?

All non-testers who post below will be entered into a prize draw and one person will win a £300 voucher.

Thanks and good luck!
MNHQ

Standard Insight T&Cs apply

Tester - Boo Roo and Tigger Too

• What does your child think about of the Fire Kids Edition tablet? Did they enjoy using it?

The colourful kid-proof case caught their eye immediately and were eager to see what apps, games etc it held. Once their profiles were set up, they loved being able to scroll through the different content categories to download the apps, games and books that caught their eye.

• What did you think about the protection package that is included with the device (i.e. the kid-friendly case and 2-year worry free guarantee)?

No matter how careful your child is and how much you try to instil how easily things are broken there will always be that 'accident'. The kid-proof case looks as though it will save many an 'oops moment'. Whilst I can rest assured that should it break that I can return for a repair.

• How easy did you find the parental controls to use? If so, what were your favourite features?

Setting educational goals was possibly my favourite, especially as we have just had new targets set by the school. This enables me to encourage activities at home whilst they are using the Amazon Fire Kids without them being all too aware.

• Was your child happy with the content available through the 1 year Fire for Kids Unlimited subscription? Did you/they feel anything was missing?

Given the amount of content that we have seen so far, I can't see the children getting bored of what is available within the Fire for Kids Unlimited subscription. It houses all the family favourites as well as introducing some new ones ready for us to fall in love with.

• What did you think about the Parent Dashboard?

Although we don't set screen time limits as such in our home, it was lovely to be able to get them to switch between reading and other content through the settings on the parent dashboard.

Tester -

• What does your child think about of the Fire Kids Edition tablet? Did they enjoy using it?

My kids have absolutely loved using the Fire Kids Edition tablet. They really like the variety of activities and games available to them.

• What did you think about the protection package that is included with the device (i.e. the kid-friendly case and 2-year worry free guarantee)?

Amazing. Such a great idea. My children are forever dropping things and we already have another tablet with a huge crack on the screen thanks so my son, so this guarantee gives me peace of mind.

• How easy did you find the parental controls to use? If so, what were your favourite features?

We found the parents controls really easy to use. I liked that I can control the amount of screen time my children are having.

• Was your child happy with the content available through the 1 year Fire for Kids Unlimited subscription? Did you/they feel anything was missing?

They were really happy with it and didn't feel anything was missing.

• What did you think about the Parent Dashboard?

I think it's a fantastic feature and really easy to use.

None tester.

I would like controls over downloading apps and in app purchases.

What does your child / children think about the Fire Kids Edition Tablet?
It took a few moments to get used to operating it, as it's a different operating system that they are used to, but they loved the functionality and the fact they don't have to ask mum and dad to input a password if they want to download an app or a game.

What do you think about the protection package?

AMAZING!! This is worth its weight in gold, I got a new iPad in the summer and it was broken within two weeks when my 4 year old got hold of it. Now he has his own tablet with a super padded cover I don't need to worry about mine!!

Was your child happy with the content available??

Yes!! I have three kids age 9, 7 and 4 and all are very happy with the content available and love that they all have their seperate accounts so they each can't mess up each others game!!

How easy are the parental controls??

Super simple. Normally I rely on hubby to set things like this up, but it was so self explanatory that I did it myself in minutes!!

What do you think about the parental dashboard?

Easily synced to my Amazon account and super simple to understand and use!

Tester - Ali Williams aka Mum in a Nutshell

• What does your child think about of the Fire Kids Edition tablet? Did they enjoy using it?

My 3 1/2 year old finds this tablet much easier to hold than our iPad, its perfect for small hands and lighter. He can navigate his way around easily too. He still needs help finding his profile and helps to swipe the screen up but this means he can't help himself and I still have an element of control over his screen time. The choice of books and videos means he's finding new programmes and stories to read which he absolutely loves at bedtime story time.

• What did you think about the protection package that is included with the device (i.e. the kid-friendly case and 2-year worry free guarantee)?

This is such relief and means I'm happy to take it out of the house. The case really does its job, we've had a few near misses already with it falling off the sofa or being dropped. Also having a case already fitted meant it was a total set up and go job! No danger of buying dodgy / cheap cases only to find they don't fit properly and save pennies here!

• How easy did you find the parental controls to use? If so, what were your favourite features?

setting to maximum time and tweaking the controls for weekend and weekdays was my favourite feature. Its also really easy to change. We've had a couple of early starts or later bedtimes but a few swipes and I could extend the time for our bedtime story or grabbed an extra 20 minutes in bed with a quiet video. My son gets that it won't let him sign on when he's had enough time on there and it's also stopped me sneaking in some extra work. It's a great time management tool fir us both and thus stops the mum guilt when I realise I've let him use it for longer than I intended.

• Was your child happy with the content available through the 1 year Fire for Kids Unlimited subscription? Did you/they feel anything was missing?

The choice is fantastic and really helps my son out of his Paw Patrol comfort zone! He was watching awful YouTube Kids videos which, unless I watched him like a hawk, he only watched over and over. Having stories (which we read together, so he's seeing the kindle as something we share rather than a solo toy.) videos and apps means he's much more active and independent. Even at storytime, he swipes each page and we read something new each day.

• What did you think about the Parent Dashboard?

An absolute doddle to use, there's so much you can tailor to your child and easy to change or update. It really does take the stress and guilt associated with letting your child use a tablet.

I'm so impressed by the Amazon Fire Kids Edition to the point of giving our iPad away. My son was the only one using it and its made me realise how vulnerable he was on there now I'm used to the parent controls on the Fire.

Tester:

• What does your child think about of the Fire Kids Edition tablet? Did they enjoy using it?

My eldest loves having unlimited reading and being able to listen to music on it. My middle child enjoys the educational apps especially anything to do with coding. Then my youngest really enjoys seeing her favourite characters on there.

• What did you think about the protection package that is included with the device (i.e. the kid-friendly case and 2-year worry free guarantee)?

Love it! Having had a tablet before that only lasted a couple of weeks before an unfortunate drop, having a worry free tablet is great.

• How easy did you find the parental controls to use? If so, what were your favourite features?

Very easy. I was quickly able to set up three different profiles for three different ages. Being able to set unlimited reading but with a turn off time so they weren’t reading too late I think is excellent.

• Was your child happy with the content available through the 1 year Fire for Kids Unlimited subscription? Did you/they feel anything was missing?

They were all happy with the content and it puts your mind at ease as a parent to know it’s all age appropriate.

• What did you think about the Parent Dashboard?

I’ve been using it myself and it’s really easy to use. I’ve linked my prime account so I can stream programmes on it and with the 8inch screen it’s perfect.

Tester:

1. What does your child think about of the Fire Kids Edition tablet? Did they enjoy using it?

I have twin boys who — up to this point — have never owned a ‘proper’ tablet.

They do have supervised access to one at school but I’ve always been a little bit hesitant to let them use my iPad at home, as they’re sometimes quite rough with things and it’s such an expensive item to replace if it gets broken.

They were over the moon when we unboxed the Fire Kids Edition and have really been enjoying getting to grips with using it — without me stressing that they’re going to break it or come across something that isn’t suitable for them!

1. What did you think about the protection package that is included with the device (i.e. the kid-friendly case and 2-year worry free guarantee)?

Fabulous. The case has been totally designed with kids in mind and it gives parents such peace of mind.

Even the most careful child can sometimes be a little rough or absent minded sometimes. And very young children — like my two — sometimes don’t quite understand the difference between toys and technology. It’s nice to let them play without having to oversee what they’re doing the whole time, just in case they break it!

The case — combined with Amazon’s amazing guarantee — is a brilliant selling point. Two years of worry free use is big incentive to buy the Amazon Fire Kids Edition tablet, over another tablet aimed at children.

1. How easy did you find the parental controls to use? If so, what were your favourite features?

It's very intuitive — I found it very easy to navigate round and set up a profile for each of the twins.

Being able to limit the screen time is such a brilliant feature — as is the default option to not allow in-app purchases too.

I love the fact that it requires a password to access the parent dashboard; knowing that the boys won’t be able to accidentally log-in and alter anything gives me such peace of mind.

1. Was your child happy with the content available through the 1 year Fire for Kids Unlimited subscription? Did you/they feel anything was missing?

The boys are only 4 and, as I mentioned — apart from school — they have never really had much access to a tablet so they were absolutely thrilled with all of the available content. They’ve spent so much time on the CBeebies and Phonics apps that they’ve really only just scratched the surface of what the tablet has to offer.

They were very very excited to see lots of characters that they’re familiar with — all their favourite Marvel superheroes, Thomas and CBeebies characters.

1. What did you think about the Parent Dashboard?

I’m really, really impressed. It’s very intuitive and user friendly and I absolutely love the fact that it supports my own Amazon account.

Any content that I’ve loaded onto my own Kindle — or our Amazon Fire stick — for the boys, can be synchronised with their tablet.

Overall, I'm really, really impressed. I can't think of any other tablet — specifically geared to children — that would be a better buy. I love the fact that it grows with the child too and you can alter the age categories as your child gets older.

We love it so much that we’re going to buy another, so both twins can have one each!

• What does your child think about of the Fire Kids Edition tablet? Did they enjoy using it? Toby is 3.5 and immediately loved using the Fire Kids Edition! He says that it's fun and has "lovely" games.

• What did you think about the protection package that is included with the device (i.e. the kid-friendly case and 2-year worry free guarantee)? I think this is a huge selling point - we all know how brutal children can be with things, and the protection package gives me extra peace of mind that I can give him some freedom to use his Fire independently.

• How easy did you find the parental controls to use? If so, what were your favourite features? It took me a bit of getting used to, but that could be because I'm not familiar with the operating system. It's pretty self explanatory though, and it's brilliant being able to set a daily time limit to ensure that Toby isn't using it for hours on end! I feel better knowing he can't access any inappropriate materials or download apps, too.

• Was your child happy with the content available through the 1 year Fire for Kids Unlimited subscription? Did you/they feel anything was missing? Very happy! Toby is really keen on books, letters, and numbers so there are some brilliant resources which keep us both happy - he's entertained and I know that he's learning some really good skills before heading to school in September.

• What did you think about the Parent Dashboard? I think it's really user friendly and easy to navigate - even if it's your first time using an Amazon product on this operating system.

Tester:

• What does your child think about of the Fire Kids Edition tablet? Did they enjoy using it?

Both of my kids, age 4 and 6 absolutely loved it and we will definitely be looking at getting a second as they get older and have one each but the kids love that they have their own profiles to make it their own while they are using it. They thought it was amazing how you can pick a character and find apps, games, books and videos all around their favorite characters.

• What did you think about the protection package that is included with the device (i.e. the kid-friendly case and 2-year worry free guarantee)?

This was huge for me with two little ones and a baby on the way toys and tablets get broken. Knowing I am worry free for the next 2 years is a huge bonus for me Thanks Amazon. I am thrilled with this guarantee.

• How easy did you find the parental controls to use? If so, what were your favourite features?

I thought the parental controls were user friendly as some can be complex to setup and get right. I love that you can have different settings for each child profile. Being able to limit time and downloads is such a great feature for parents to know their kids are safe and not over using their devices.

• Was your child happy with the content available through the 1 year Fire for Kids Unlimited subscription? Did you/they feel anything was missing?

Both of my kids were super excited for the content both their favorites and some awesome new characters and shows to fall in love with and watch and interact with too.

• What did you think about the Parent Dashboard?

I love being able to go to the parent dashboard to check content, usage and downloads any films or anything extra that are purchased. It's great that you can add things if you have other amazon account with films on it easily to the tablet.

Overall I was really impressed with the quality, user friendly for both my 4 and 6 year old as much as it was for me as a parent setting it all up and using the parental controls. I also loved the durability of the case and the felt the kids unlimited subscription was perfect for my kids and will be renewing and getting another one of these for my other child too. I can definitely recommend.

Non tester. Missed this, would have loved it!
I would like to have remote control. Neither of mine have a tablet at the moment but it's inevitable they will want one soon. I would like to be able to control the content remotely. In an ideal world they would only ever be using it right next to me!!

I would want to be able to block certain types of age inappropriate websites/apps, the ability to look through history of what has been done on the tablet would be great, definitely a block on anything that requires payment

Non-tester

Being able to restrict access to the internet and being able to lock them into a single app if needed.

That there are plenty of apps to choose from but good parental controls

Non tester - the ability to control exactly which websites my child could visit, this would be very imprtnsbt to me

TESTER
What does your child think about of the Fire Kids Edition tablet? Did they enjoy using it?
My five year old really loves this tablet as he thinks he can download whatever he likes from the one year subscription (little does he know its all controlled by me). It gives him the freedom and me the piece of mind.

• What did you think about the protection package that is included with the device (i.e. the kid-friendly case and 2-year worry free guarantee)?

Monkey broke his first tablet by throwing it on the floor in a strop when we were just about to board an eight hour flight. So the case scores very highly in our book as the rubber edges are deep enough to keep the screen away from the floor even if it falls flat. The 2 year worry free guarantee is genius

• How easy did you find the parental controls to use? If so, what were your favourite features?

I did wonder but they are so simple. I love that I can limit the time he is on it without the continuous battle or being thought of the meanie.

• Was your child happy with the content available through the 1 year Fire for Kids Unlimited subscription? Did you/they feel anything was missing?

Monkey prefers the games to the books so I am actively encouraging him to do more with those. The apps and videos are all age appropriate. We have been downloading some videos for our road trip at the end of the holidays.

• What did you think about the Parent Dashboard?

I like that I have my own personal space and that it syncs with my amazon account as it means things we have brought previously can be added to Monkey’s area.

Its been a real hit in our house, it won’t be long until his younger brother is asking for one too!

Non tester
The ability to have a quick summary of what my children have accessed. Also the ability to customise the parental block to make it age appropriate to each child who is using the tablet.

NON TESTER

for me it is the ability to control settings in games- eg turn off messaging/friend adding

monitoring/limiting internet usaged

Non-tester - we have 2 of these and I am very happy with the parental controls. I can rest assured that the kids are in a safe environment & I really appreciate that I can control timings for different functions of the tablet

Non tester

I would like to be able to control what my children can download

Non tester - being able to restrict which pages they can see on the internet. YouTube is now banned here due to the lack of good parental controls!

Non tester - in our house we have a kids kindle (1st edition) newer normal fire and iPads. My DD is 5 and has used tablets since she was around 3. The kids kindle is great due to the content and the fact that we can totally trust it, I also like that you can remove unsuitable content, never used the guarantee. Her kids kindle rarely gets used any more due to no SD memory expansion and small screen (as I say old model). I have kept for more for kids as it's cheap with prime and she sometimes likes to use my kindle. She prefers apps like sky kids, Disney life and cbbc on the iPad, I think the bigger screen helps although I do wish I could set profiles on the iPad like the fire! I don't like the fact that as accounts are linked my kindle memory fills with all her stuff. All in all, is a good cheap kids tablet and the subscription is very good but the iPad is preferred in our house

Nontester-we have 2 of the 7s here. We've found a couple things that load up and then say they are not available for our area. We are in London. Most noteably the Monster High stuff - which really upset our 8yo.

Anyone else found this on things?

This was the character one that linked to videos, karaoke and music.

Non tester here but my DC use Kindle Fires with the kids' profiles.

They really like them but my main gripe is that Amazon Music is not available when logged in as a child - this seems like a huge flaw as one of the main things my kids want to do is listen to music! We have installed Spotify instead. It seems madness that Amazon limits the music app in this way - they're missing out on our subscription money!

Secondly and bizarrely, some of the parental controls only work when the tablet is used in the adult profile - for example, tracking usage of individual apps. I know you can set time limits for apps in the kids ' profiles but not on an individual app level; I am quite happy for them to use a music app, for example, but don't want them overusing gaming apps.

Non-tester

3 things would be important to me -

• being able to put good parental controls on to block any harmful sites/viewing any inappropriate material/'chat' facilities
• being able to password protect purchases
• having a restricted time setting so it will only work in say 1 hour slots unless you enter the password or switch off between certain hours