Kindle Fire or Leap Pad 2 for Christmas

inside_lap

Grandma and grandpa want me to buy our daughter her Christmas present for them. They will put $100 towardds whatever we pick. It doesn't have to cost $100 or less, that's just the amount they will put towards the gift. I want some opinions! Should we get her the nw Leap Pad 2 which is right around $100, is kid tough, and has apps for her to play with. OR should we get her a Kindle Fire (with us paying the rest of the cost) which with my Amazon prime will get her videos/movies and apps. Of course the Kindle is less kid tough so we would have to get her a good case. Parents out ther with kids that have either the Kindle Fire or Leap Pad, what are your thoughts on the products??

poodlelaise

I don't have young kids, but I have seen both products, and actually own multiple kindles. I love the kindle, it is so versitile. But unless you also intend to enjoy it, I would go with the leap frog. She can use it more on her own, and you won't worry about it so much.

inside_lap

Thx Poodle! I have a regular kindle and love it. But I also have an IPad as well. Though they have IPad kid cases, I'm not too keen on the idea of giving my daughter my IPad to play with... lol. Also, unfortuately, the IPad will not play the Kindle videos :P. Part of the reason I was thinking about the Kindle Fire. However, the LeapPad would be less for me to worry about in regards to breakage. But alas, no videos. Thus the debate!!

kirstyg1980

if she is under 8 or 9 I'd recommend the leap pad 2, my son (age 5) has the first one and its great and he loves it

edited to add - it's specifically geared to teach kids and advance their skills in maths, language and science where as the kindle isn't

although if you go for leap pad get a rechargeable battery set

hausofnichele

My son has a lot of Leap products.. not the Leap Pad 2 but I'm curious if it plays a lot of ads like the Leapster. That was definitely a big annoyance for me.

I LOVE our Kindle Fire. It has so many free apps that are kid friendly - plus you can use it too. I would spring for the Fire if you can.

inside_lap

My little one will be 2.5. Right around the right age for the LeapPad. Sounds like both options are great for kids apps. Would HAVE to get a heavy duty case for the kindle fire... maybe something like the Gumdrop. The plus side of the kindle fire is the video/movies which will come in handy for plane rides (we have a scheduled trip abroad to see great-grandma and great-grandpa in April). However, the kindle fire is significantly more expensive. Plus side, I'm sure I will be using it on occassion as well... lol!

Tebbspcad

I've got 3 kids (6,9 & 15). The leappad is great for little kids & is tough as you say but they get BORED with it unless your getting new apps for it all the time (& how expensive!!!!) so i'd go for the kindle fire - I have one and all my kids use it & they never get bored as there is always a movie or a game or book for them or they can go on facebook (my eldest anyway) or surf the web!

The kindle fire wins hands down for me but probably more suited for older kids (probably 5+) as they will get more out of it (i.e. being able to read & follow instructions etc) unless your little one is super careful with their toys? Failing that you can use it with them until they are old enough to be left alone with it.

_binary_jester_

The Fire is much more versatile and will continue to be useful long after the leap pad as lost its novelty.

Charlie003

My 7 year old has the kindle fire. She used it to play games and watch disney xd online. She knows that she can only use it while sitting down and when it is not being used it goes in the cabinet. As long as you set rules of conduct it should be fine. Of coaurse, you should be present when the kid uses it to monitor internet use. I have not yet checked if there is parental control. If someone knows about it let me know.

_binary_jester_

My 7 year old has the kindle fire. She used it to play games and watch disney xd online. She knows that she can only use it while sitting down and when it is not being used it goes in the cabinet. As long as you set rules of conduct it should be fine. Of coaurse, you should be present when the kid uses it to monitor internet use. I have not yet checked if there is parental control. If someone knows about it let me know.

The Kindle Fire HD comes with parental controls...the Fire does not

Charlie003

I do find the Kindle fire overly complex for my little mind. I bought the ipad 3 for myself. Yes, I know it has many limitations, I hate itunes, but I love the ease of use and the fact that a chimp could use it. I still need to figure out how to put movies on the fire. Being in Canada, I cannot use it for much.

inside_lap

I'm eyeing the Kindle Fire HD 4G if we go that route. Anyone with any experience with it? Not too worried about parental controls at this point... lol. Though structure sounds like an absolute MUST! Only sit and plan nice with the new toy! Worse case senerio, if she's having a hard time operating it. I could always switch with her and let her use my iPad. It's in a tough case though I don't usually let her use it. Doesn't work with Amazon prime though... grr... would have to be netflix which we also subscribe to anyways. By the way, Charlie, I LOVE that pic!!

Charlie003

I'm eyeing the Kindle Fire HD 4G if we go that route. Anyone with any experience with it? Not too worried about parental controls at this point... lol. Though structure sounds like an absolute MUST! Only sit and plan nice with the new toy! Worse case senerio, if she's having a hard time operating it. I could always switch with her and let her use my iPad. It's in a tough case though I don't usually let her use it. Doesn't work with Amazon prime though... grr... would have to be netflix which we also subscribe to anyways. By the way, Charlie, I LOVE that pic!!

Thank You. If you go with the fire hd, splurge for the extra gigs. I kick myself in the nuts all the time for being cheap and only getting 16 gigs. Should have gone for 64. My Ipad is my life. Greatest thing ever. It gave me back my youth. I now have comics and cartoons and video games, plus budget apps, migraine app. Best investment ever. However, for those who have a better understanding of tech, I believe android based tablets are a better buy.

Linli_Anne

We gave both of our kids Leap Pads for Christmas last year, they were 5 and 3 at the time.


I love that it really grows with them - we can down loan games/apps etc. for age appropriate skill etc. My 6 year old just got a Scholastic puzzled game for her birthday and both her and her brother take turns playing it.

You can use the Leapster Explorer cartridges with it too.

My husband has a tablet, and we have some kid games on it - but ours gravitate towards their Leap Pads more.

kappyblu

:flowerforyou: My two cents: For any child 10 or so and under, go with the Leap Pad 2. The coolest feature is that LeapFrog tells you their progress with learning. They can make their own animation, learn, watch videos, draw pictures, it has two cameras, and there is so much more. Go to the Leap Frog site and see what it can do. For a 2.5 year old, I would definitely get the Leap Pad 2 which is designed to be kid tough. It is designed for a child whereas all those other items being discussed are not. I am getting my three little ones each a Leap Pad 2 for Christmas and would not even think of giving them a tablet designed for adults that is not designed to stand up to kids. Go with what you think is best, but as a mother of 4, (19, 9, 8, and 6) I have seen my share of expensive electronics end up destroyed, which is why I try to buy them gifts that are aimed at kids, not adults.

Charlie003

:flowerforyou: My two cents: For any child 10 or so and under, go with the Leap Pad 2. The coolest feature is that LeapFrog tells you their progress with learning. They can make their own animation, learn, watch videos, draw pictures, it has two cameras, and there is so much more. Go to the Leap Frog site and see what it can do. For a 2.5 year old, I would definitely get the Leap Pad 2 which is designed to be kid tough. It is designed for a child whereas all those other items being discussed are not. I am getting my three little ones each a Leap Pad 2 for Christmas and would not even think of giving them a tablet designed for adults that is not designed to stand up to kids. Go with what you think is best, but as a mother of 4, (19, 9, 8, and 6) I have seen my share of expensive electronics end up destroyed, which is why I try to buy them gifts that are aimed at kids, not adults.

I agree with this assessment. The youngest I would get the fire for is 7. Under that age, leapfrog.

Charlie003

My little one will be 2.5. Right around the right age for the LeapPad. Sounds like both options are great for kids apps. Would HAVE to get a heavy duty case for the kindle fire... maybe something like the Gumdrop. The plus side of the kindle fire is the video/movies which will come in handy for plane rides (we have a scheduled trip abroad to see great-grandma and great-grandpa in April). However, the kindle fire is significantly more expensive. Plus side, I'm sure I will be using it on occassion as well... lol!

You can buy a portable dvd player for the trips.

_binary_jester_

I have the Kindle HD and my daughter (who is 7) is getting my old Kindle Fire for xmas.

Charlie003

I have the Kindle HD and my daughter (who is 7) is getting my old Kindle Fire for xmas.

Smart move. Can you share apps on multiple machines? Or do you need to purchase them again?

12skipafew99100

Why would you put want to put money towards a gift from someone else? Go with what Grandma's money will buy for her gift.

_binary_jester_

I have the Kindle HD and my daughter (who is 7) is getting my old Kindle Fire for xmas.

Smart move. Can you share apps on multiple machines? Or do you need to purchase them again?

Amazon marketplace is like google...you purchase the app, it will go on either. But for the Kindle, I stripped out Amazons hacked version of Android Ice Cream sammie and put in Jelly Bean...I also installed a mod so the kindle reports itself as a nexus 7 so everything I bought on google's marketplace is available.

Charlie003

I have the Kindle HD and my daughter (who is 7) is getting my old Kindle Fire for xmas.

Smart move. Can you share apps on multiple machines? Or do you need to purchase them again?

Amazon marketplace is like google...you purchase the app, it will go on either. But for the Kindle, I stripped out Amazons hacked version of Android Ice Cream sammie and put in Jelly Bean...I also installed a mod so the kindle reports itself as a nexus 7 so everything I bought on google's marketplace is available.

I need to look into a way to make The Kindle Fire work here in Canada. Do not want to bother with a vpn and go through the hassle of a obtaining a pre-paid american express.

inside_lap

Hum... sounds like both devices are a great investment. 47by47, I'm not so much worried about who "gave her" the gift more that it's something that she will play with, learn from, and enjoy. At 2.5, I don't think she really grasps the gift concept beyond "mine", "share", and "no"... lol! However, I can see it potentially becoming stickier as they get older... It sounds like unless someone else in the household really needs a tablet, the LeapPad2 might be a better idea until she gets older. I really just wish Amazon video would play on on iPad! Anyone figure out how to work that mircle yet?

Charlie003

Hum... sounds like both devices are a great investment. 47by47, I'm not so much worried about who "gave her" the gift more that it's something that she will play with, learn from, and enjoy. At 2.5, I don't think she really grasps the gift concept beyond "mine", "share", and "no"... lol! However, I can see it potentially becoming stickier as they get older... It sounds like unless someone else in the household really needs a tablet, the LeapPad2 might be a better idea until she gets older. I really just wish Amazon video would play on on iPad! Anyone figure out how to work that mircle yet?

My son is two and a half, he still runs into walls.