All iPads would you get an older iPad for a child?

[TrancyGoose]

We have a 3 year old, that needs to be kept busy sometimes when we have long car rides.

Would you get him an older refurb iPad and a sleeve vs a Android Tablet? Specifically concern is durability and battery life.

I feel that sometimes he watches cartoons on a wifes iPad Pro with magic keyboard, and it's an overkill...

 

[0128672]

Yes an older refurb is a good idea.

 

[1BadManVan]

We have a 3 year old, that needs to be kept busy sometimes when we have long car rides.

Would you get him an older refurb iPad and a sleeve vs a Android Tablet? Specifically concern is durability and battery life.

I feel that sometimes he watches cartoons on a wifes iPad Pro with magic keyboard, and it's an overkill...

Yup for sure. No different then minivans with the dvd entertainment centres in them

Lots of kid friendly cases for iPads out there.

My kids have had iPads since they were about 6-7 year old, had cheap android ones prior to that but they were so glitchy and slow I just spent the extra for the iPads and good cases.

 

[ericwn]

It really depends on the child and their interests. My kids are down with the iPad topic when they’re finished with breakfast and they all prefer playing with toys then. I doubt an iPad in the car would do them much good. On the other hand, if it’s just used as a portable TV, you could probably make good use of a used one and even charge in the car when needed.

 

[TrancyGoose]

It really depends on the child and their interests. My kids are down with the iPad topic when they’re finished with breakfast and they all prefer playing with toys then. I doubt an iPad in the car would do them much good. On the other hand, if it’s just used as a portable TV, you could probably make good use of a used one and even charge in the car when needed.

Mine is obsessed with Bruder toys (trucks and construction machinery), it will be a portable TV for him to watch Bruder's youtube channel. Especially while we drive around 😂😂 Right now, he's doing it on iPad pro, and we object

 

[Atomic1977]

I don’t know if iPad and young kids goes that well together. Although it is a good idea. on the other hand maybe a portable video game system such as the switch or switch liter would be more efficient.

 

[TrancyGoose]

I don’t know if iPad and young kids goes that well together. Although it is a good idea. on the other hand maybe a portable video game system such as the switch or switch liter would be more efficient.

will switch have anything for a 3 year old? Pardon my ignorance, but my journey with consoles ended when we played a Sega once at neighbour kids house!

 

[NYCValkyrie]

will switch have anything for a 3 year old? Pardon my ignorance, but my journey with consoles ended when we played a Sega once at neighbour kids house!

An older refurb iPad is much better for the 3 YO than a Switch. Especially if it's basically a portable TV. There are educational apps they could play with also. And a Mini would be better than a regular sized iPad for those tiny hands. Lots of good iPad cases for kids out there.

But honestly, if you have Prime, an Amazon Fire tablet for kids might be plenty. My Nephew had one and then graduated to a hand-me-down iPad when he was about 6 or 7 and it was a good transition that saved his parents some $ and anxiety about breaking it. lol

 

[TrancyGoose]

Another question!
If we end up getting a refurb standard or mini, should we set it up with icloud acc of one of the parents? if so, how to lock it up tight, or they won't be able to spend any money?

OR will we make an account for him?

 

[Misheemee]

an older ipad/refurb ipad or even last year's model of the basic ipad for a 3yo will definitely work. if you buy new/refurb you can put applecare on it which allows you to replace the screen if dropped. if you buy an older one - once it's dropped it's pretty much finished, or will be expensive to replace the screen. Best thing I did with my kid's ipads was get Applecare

I'd go with this over an android or a switch - there are some pretty hefty kid's cases you buy for the ipad, the ease of navigation on the ipad, so many educational/drawing/painting apps, and the quality of apps are much better than the other 2 options.

 

[Misheemee]

Another question!
If we end up getting a refurb standard or mini, should we set it up with icloud acc of one of the parents? if so, how to lock it up tight, or they won't be able to spend any money?

OR will we make an account for him?

make an account for him - you can lock it down with screen time so he doesn't get into anything he shouldn't, and give him access only to things you want him to have access to

 

[ericwn]

Another question!
If we end up getting a refurb standard or mini, should we set it up with icloud acc of one of the parents? if so, how to lock it up tight, or they won't be able to spend any money?

OR will we make an account for him?

Definitely set up their own account and then check out the parental control settings in iOS to tweak it to your liking.

 

[mectojic]

I wouldn’t give any child an iPad. I’d raise them without technology so they become well-rounded people.

 

[casperes1996]

+1 for setting up an account for him with family options and parental control. The account can be set up as managed by a parent account.
Based on my brothers' children (I am not a parent myself) I would say an old refurb iPad or Mini for now and a Switch for later. There may be one or two games you can get for a Switch that would work for very young kids but I don't think it's ideal until at least 5-6 and up

 

[casperes1996]

I wouldn’t give any child an iPad. I’d raise them without technology so they become well-rounded people.

Well rounded in a world filled with technology.

I'm not saying you're wrong. Limiting technology is a perfectly valid and justifiable position on parenting. But being well-rounded in today's society does include skills in interacting with technology. Those skills can come through limited interactions or be introduced as they are older, but technology, for the majority of people at least, is a fact of life

 

[DD88]

Oh hell no, no iPad should be given to a 3 year old in my opinion. Way too young for one

 

[rui no onna]

But honestly, if you have Prime, an Amazon Fire tablet for kids might be plenty. My Nephew had one and then graduated to a hand-me-down iPad when he was about 6 or 7 and it was a good transition that saved his parents some $ and anxiety about breaking it. lol

Yeah, this is what my cousin got for her younger kids (while mommy has an iPad). For watching videos and casual games, it's good enough. The sub-$100 pricing also makes it a lot less painful on the wallet if it gets lost or damaged.

 

[Tripps9000]

In my opinion for my niece my sister bought her the iPad 9 with an otter box Defender case to let her play with it proved a good choice keeps her interested in playing games on long car rides

 

[antiprotest]

Have you considered Amazon's Fire Tablet for Kids? It's inexpensive. It includes a case. It's physically built to endure some abuse. And there is a warranty that if it breaks they will replace it for free.

The Fire series is very lame, but it's for a 3 year old.

This is the top model I think. There are smaller and cheaper ones if you prefer.

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet, 10.1", 1080p Full HD, ages 6–12, 32 GB, (2021 release), named "Best Tablet for Big Kids" by Good Housekeeping, Doodle

Amazon Fire HD 10 Kids Pro tablet, 10.1", 1080p Full HD, ages 6–12, 32 GB, (2021 release), named "Best Tablet for Big Kids" by Good Housekeeping, Doodle

www.amazon.com

 

[Atomic1977]

Wow there Seems to be a lot of hostility around here. I have to agree that a iPad at age 3 is a little to young.

 

[TrancyGoose]

Wow there Seems to be a lot of hostility around here. I have to agree that a iPad at age 3 is a little to young.

well, this was intended as a portable TV really! Nothing more ... he can watch his trucks and stuff, and me and the wife can heave peace on longer journeys. It's tough to sit strapped in a chair on a car ride that is over 3h long. I understand the judgment from some coming here, i do. But for 2 professionals, and lack of childcare, he really needs to come with us sometimes, and when ur going 120km/h, i'd rather it be quiet.

 

[ericwn]

I wouldn’t give any child an iPad. I’d raise them without technology so they become well-rounded people.

That’s a rather broad statement. No electronics at all? Are you also not bringing them in contact with the internet, mobile phones, microwaves or electricity?
I think like everything else in life we need to teach our children how to use modern day tools and communication devices responsibly.

 

[antiprotest]

OP's question is about a tablet, not parenting.

And he is obviously not getting a tablet for the kid to start using Snapchat and Tinder, but just to entertain him during long car rides.

So just calm down and answer the question if you have an opinion about THE TABLET.

 

[ericwn]

Mine is obsessed with Bruder toys (trucks and construction machinery), it will be a portable TV for him to watch Bruder's youtube channel. Especially while we drive around Right now, he's doing it on iPad pro, and we object

Mine is too btw, the Bruder stuff is pretty awesome anyway. Long journeys are a challenge either way and I’d avoid them for the kid’s sake as much as possible in the early years - just adding so much stress on everyone. What could also help is if someone is sitting in the back with the kid. Best success either way!

 

[nepalisherpa]

There is nothing wrong with a cheap/dedicated iPad for kids as long as the screen time is limited. As adults, we can't be on our phones/iPads while telling kids not to use one.