Which gadget for a very low-tech family with 6yo and 3yo boys?

[littlecrystal]

So far we have stayed away from today’s world of gadgets. All we have is a second hand laptop, cheap Windows phone with couple of free games and a child computer (which has a super small white-black screen and does not appeal so much). I have never held any apple product in my hands – always seemed too smart for me!

DS1 started asking for DS or Xbox or Ipad, in fact he does not know what is what and nor do I, but he gets the idea of this being fun from school/friends.

I am finally ready to buy them something to play games on, perhaps some FAMILY games, have a bit of educational value and enable to watch children stuff, something that is not super expensive and can possibly be used when out and about (on long journeys etc.)

What is this thing that I need to buy?

Names Ipad mini or Kindle Fire come to my mind. Xbox, DS – I have no idea what it is to be honest and how it compares to Ipad (sorry for being so daft).

Should I dedicate a piece of equipment specifically for the kids?
If there any advocates for staying away from the gadgets, I would love to hear your arguments.

Any piece of advice would be super helpful!

Why not buy a wii or a wii u? Most nintendo games are family friendly and it is much less likely to get trashed. I know if I let my 6 yo have charge of a tablet, it would be broken within a week. Also, they have no idea how to limit time on the games so often suffer with "tablet rage" when you ask them to come off.

Lots of children in my 6yos class do seem to be getting them though. Dd is getting lego and a board game.

Just thought of something else, if you do go down the tablet route this one is british made and if you have a windows phone, why not get a windows tablet so that they sync?