LeapPad Ultra: The Ultra Learning Tablet for Kids

The latest chapter in the kids' tablet saga is upon us, and LeapFrog has truly made a leap, creating a tablet that doesn't require the extra cartridges that were necessary with the two initial LeapPads. This is a real tablet. The icons are much like those of an iPad or other adult's tablet, but the contact is kid-friendly and parent approved. Built to withstand the rigors of child handling, the 7-inch hi resolution screen and Wi-Fi access make this a great option for safeguarding your investment. Kid-safe Web is another important consideration. The entire system is kid-safe from the very moment it comes out of the box. Parental controls provide extra management options. The Kids' tablet provides access to a LeapFrog created library of more than 800 games, ebooks, videos and apps. Onboard are 11 apps to start with or download for free. A built-in lithium ion battery is rechargeable. Front and back cameras provide lots of creative fun, and peer-to-peer play options promote cooperative learning. The system is designed to enhance learning and provoke creativity at an age-appropriate level. The system is ideal for kids from ages 4 to 9 and is available in green or pink.

Preordering of LeapPad UltraCHECK AVAILABILITY

Rugged Tablet and Ereader Cases for Kids

One of the best educational gifts I've gotten for my teenage daughter is her Kindle.  She is constantly reading, and she consistently asks for extra jobs to do so that she can earn extra money to spend on books.  She's working with the basic model of the Kindle, and she likes the fact that it doesn't accidentally change pages with a touch of the screen, something she experienced when borrowing her older sister's touchscreen Kindle.

One challenge with her Kindle, though, is that she's a little careless and forgetful.  I've found it left in unusual spots from time to time, and it's had a few close calls.  I can't recommend enough the importance of two companion gifts if you are looking for a kids' tablet or ereader:  get a good case and a protection plan!

My daughter's case isn't overly rugged, but it handles the job.  However, if it's left on a couch one of these days, I can picture the potential damage.  She's been warned!  Hence, the protection plan.  I could just let her deal with the loss, but unfortunately, I don't want to deal with the cost.  The plan was worth it, and the value with such plans online can be really good.  Amazon, for example, has excellent pricing on protection plans.

My younger kids are still in the handheld console mode:  3DS or DSI systems seem to be constructed for a bit more durability.  However, if you have any child that is careless with his or her things, that warranty is worth its weight in gold.

You can check out Rugged Kindle Cases for Kids, Service Plans for Kindle, and the latest Kindle products and accessories .

Savings on a Kindle for a Child

If you are looking for an affordable tablet for a child, today (12/10/12) is a great day to save on the Kindle Fire HD 8.9" model.  The larger Kindle for a child is a great way to improve visual display and motor skill development with a tablet.  While the 7" is pretty good, that extra little bit of display space is really attractive.  I struggle with challenges on my small touchscreen device, and I really appreciate the size of the larger tablets.  Affordability, of course, is always a concern when the budget is tight.  


The 8.9" Kindle Fire tablet normally costs $299.  With this offer, you can use the code FIREHD89 to save $50 (one per customer).  It's a one day deal while supplies last.  I do recommend that if the tablet is for a child, a protection plan is a smart investment.  Kids can be a little bit rough on tech devices, and this is one you will want to use for years.

Save on Kindle Tablet at Amazon

Use Code FIREDEAL, CyberMonday only, to save on the Kindle Fire

If you are looking for a really good tablet at a great price, then take note of the Cyber Monday deal from Amazon. The Kindle Fire is available, 1 per customer, at a price of $129. The device is highly regarded among its users and was a hit with the tween and teen age range last year in its first year. It's unlikely that you will see this kind of deep discounting with other retailers on their major tablets, and this makes the Kindle Fire a great choice over some of the kids' tablets on the market this year. Check out more details here.

Kindle Ebook Reader Comparisons for Kids

When you are making ebook reader comparisons for kids needs, you inevitably have to think about Kindle ereaders for your children.  The company has a pattern of making significant changes every year, upgrading and improving the service delivered by their ebook readers to people of all ages.  The latest updates are no different, and there are two major ebook reader choices, along with an older version. 

Amazon’s Kindle E-reader devices have really evolved in recent years, and the latest version is proving to be an exciting choice for those who love to read.  The KindlePaperwhite provides readers with access to the massive library of material available for Kindle products and apps while improving the experience from a visual standpoint.  Whether you already have experience with Kindle E-readers or whether you are entertaining the idea of buying your first E-reader, there are many positive design and use elements to explore with the Kindle Paperwhite.

Ebook Reader Comparisons for Kids
There are several choices in Kindle ebook readers,
depending on your pricing needs and the additional features you want
to have available.

 

The Kindle Paperwhite provides a six inch display that includes a built-in light, making it possible to read at any time and in any conditions.  The white background makes the reading experience more like working with an actual book, reducing eye strain.  Weighing 7.5 ounces, the device is lightweight and easy to take with you.  2 GB of storage on the device allows you to download more than 1,000 books, but with Amazon cloud storage, you have access to even more content.  Touchscreen interaction makes this E-reader much like a tablet in terms of use.  The battery life of the new Kindle device is as much as eight weeks, depending on settings.  Wireless and light usage can reduce this time, but the device provides extended reading time between charges.

 

Amazon Prime members are able to rent bestselling books from popular authors on a monthly basis.  There is plenty of content available in the Amazon library, ranging from magazines to blogs to short stories.  Audio features make it possible to engage in multi-modal reading, using audio features to enhance your experience.  If your child is an auditory learner, the Paperwhite Kindle is an excellent way to enhance his or her reading experience. 

With the Wi-Fi version of the device, you can easily access new material when you have a connection.  The 3G design provides the ability to access your reading material or look for new titles without having to track down a Wi-Fi hot spot.  Prices start at $119, making this version of the line of ebook readers excellent in comparison to many handheld gaming systems and tablet computers.

The basic Kindle is a button navigation device, affordable for many at $69.  When it comes to ebook reader comparisons for kids, the Kobo undercuts the Kindle by about $10, but the massive library and services available to the Kindle user promises to grow along with your young ereader, making the Kindle a more lasting investment.

If you want a bit of entertainment to intertwine with your childs ebook reader, the Kindle Fire is priced at $159 and the Kindle Fire HD provides a more enriched tablet experience at $199.  The models get more elaborate from there if you are willing to be more spendy, but it's really nice that there are so many quality options.

Meep Learning Tablet for Kids

Meep Learning Tablet for Kids

If you are looking for something educational and fun, more of a real tablet than a toy, then you will be pleasantly surprised by Meep Tablet from Oregon Scientific. It's only $149 in cost, a price that's a bargain when compared with low end but high quality tablets, new release video game systems and other electronic devices. It's built tougher for kids, it's got parental controls, and it provides a more kid-friendly interface without being overly young. There are many high quality electronic learning devices to consider this year, some of which are developmentally aimed at the elementary school level. LeapPad Explorer acts like a tablet, but it is more in line with the pre-school and early elementary end of the spectrum. Upper elementary, meanwhile, may be a bit harsh on upper end tablets. Middle schoolers tend to love interactive games, and Meep has lots of the popular apps available like Angry Birds and others. It's an Android Tablet, it's a little more mature than the toy tablets, and it's more durable than some of the delicate tablet designs. Great option for 2012 holiday season giving!

Perplexus 3D Puzzle Games

Perplexus 3D Puzzle Ball

One of my daughters picked up a Perplexus ball as a Christmas gift for her brothers last year. It spanned the ages, working as a gift that suited all kids from ages 6 to 15, and while they occasionally challenged each other about whose turn it was, it proved to be a lot of fun. The goal in maneuvering the tiny ball through the maze is not a novel idea, but it is more challenging in the 3D environment of working this puzzle. Occasional successes made it clear that success could be achieved in solving this puzzle, but there's enough challenge to keep it fun for everyone, including the adults in the house.