What's age-appropriate for a gadget-nut 4 year old?
November 25, 2010 11:22 AM Subscribe
My 4.5 year old got to play with my friend's Ipod Touch, loved it, and is now adamant that Santa is bringing her one. This ain't going to happen. However, I would like to find her some kind of age-appropriate equivalent toy for Christmas. We don't do huge Christmas celebrations or massively expensive gift-giving, so this will be her big present, even if it's under $75. What can you recommend that won't make her ultra-disappointed (understanding that disappointment is a part of life, yadda yadda yadda)?
or a gameboy DS (used they are like 60 at gamestation)
posted by parmanparman at 11:38 AM on November 25, 2010 [6 favorites]
posted by parmanparman at 11:38 AM on November 25, 2010 [6 favorites]
Leapsters can be kinda cool for this age range, though they cost something like $50 each and games are something like $75 each. So it adds up quickly.
Also: Leapsters are nothing at all like iPod touches. But I don't know of other gaming systems for younger kids that are even close.
posted by bluedaisy at 11:48 AM on November 25, 2010 [2 favorites]
Also: Leapsters are nothing at all like iPod touches. But I don't know of other gaming systems for younger kids that are even close.
posted by bluedaisy at 11:48 AM on November 25, 2010 [2 favorites]
http://www.thinkgeek.com/electronics/musical-instruments/c4e1/
posted by runit at 11:51 AM on November 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by runit at 11:51 AM on November 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
I would suggest the Gameboy DS. I just spent time with children your daughter's age. My iPod Touch was also of great interest to them. But the 5-year old also LOVED the Gameboy, which was much more age appropriate. There are tons of games and it is much cheaper than an iPod.
posted by fifilaru at 11:59 AM on November 25, 2010
posted by fifilaru at 11:59 AM on November 25, 2010
There's a few versions of the Nintendo DS out (not "Gameboy DS," just so you don't get confused.) If she's 4.5, you'll probably want the DS Lite. The original DS is cantankerous and the screen is tiny, and the DSi has, in my opinion, too few games and too many useless features to be acceptably priced.
posted by griphus at 12:19 PM on November 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by griphus at 12:19 PM on November 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
I concur on the DS. And you can get the games used, unlike with the Leapster (which I love.)
posted by SMPA at 12:28 PM on November 25, 2010
posted by SMPA at 12:28 PM on November 25, 2010
You could always get her an old gameboy. Much cheaper and she'll have a ton of games that her friends haven't played (I loved our 10-year-old tech when I was a kid). A gameboy advance will set you back about a tenner and you can get games for £2-4.
posted by teraspawn at 12:37 PM on November 25, 2010
posted by teraspawn at 12:37 PM on November 25, 2010
Why not go older on the gameboy front? She won't know/care if she has the newest thing, and you can pick up, say, a game boy advance with quite a few games for not very much money nowadays. Something like this? She'd probably like a DS better if comparing them side by side but what she doesn't know won't hurt her...
posted by R a c h e l at 12:38 PM on November 25, 2010
posted by R a c h e l at 12:38 PM on November 25, 2010
Would getting a used 1st or 2nd Gen iPod touch be an option? If you look around, you can find one (an 8GB model) for about that, maybe a few bucks more...
I know the iPod Touch is an expensive and extravagant gift for a preschooler... but hear me out: I have a 5.5 year old, and he has his very own 4th Gen iPod Touch (It was a gift from his grandparents a month or so ago). Before that, he had a 1st Gen iPod Touch that was a hand-me-down from my wife after she got an iPhone. I think he was about 3.5 when he received it, and it was very surprising that:
1. It taught him responsibility and caring for a valuable item: in the two years he had it, he was very careful with it, never got a single scratch on the screen, and this was a HEAVILY used gadget (he would run down the battery daily!)
2. There are TONS of preschooler-oriented games and learning apps on the app store, he loved them!
3. We travel A LOT on weekends (we've been living in Europe for the last two years, so we try to see as much as we can while we're stationed here), and NOTHING beats him having his favorite movies loaded on it so he can watch them (with open-air headphones) in the back seat.
He has the DSi and the PSP (it was also a gift), but those get used on and off. The iPod touch, however, is his absolute favorite.
If you are absolutely against the iPod, though, then I vote for the DS lite. The DSi is very nice (has built-in cameras, wifi, etc...), but IMHO, overpriced.
posted by Master Gunner at 12:42 PM on November 25, 2010 [13 favorites]
I know the iPod Touch is an expensive and extravagant gift for a preschooler... but hear me out: I have a 5.5 year old, and he has his very own 4th Gen iPod Touch (It was a gift from his grandparents a month or so ago). Before that, he had a 1st Gen iPod Touch that was a hand-me-down from my wife after she got an iPhone. I think he was about 3.5 when he received it, and it was very surprising that:
1. It taught him responsibility and caring for a valuable item: in the two years he had it, he was very careful with it, never got a single scratch on the screen, and this was a HEAVILY used gadget (he would run down the battery daily!)
2. There are TONS of preschooler-oriented games and learning apps on the app store, he loved them!
3. We travel A LOT on weekends (we've been living in Europe for the last two years, so we try to see as much as we can while we're stationed here), and NOTHING beats him having his favorite movies loaded on it so he can watch them (with open-air headphones) in the back seat.
He has the DSi and the PSP (it was also a gift), but those get used on and off. The iPod touch, however, is his absolute favorite.
If you are absolutely against the iPod, though, then I vote for the DS lite. The DSi is very nice (has built-in cameras, wifi, etc...), but IMHO, overpriced.
posted by Master Gunner at 12:42 PM on November 25, 2010 [13 favorites]
If you're going with an older model, get the Game Boy Advance SP, not the regular Game Boy Advance, like in R a c h e l's eBay post
The regular one uses disposable batteries and more importantly has no backlight. The SP was created to completely replace the Advance. Please make sure to not get the Game Boy Advance Micro, as that's a piece of crap.
posted by griphus at 12:43 PM on November 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
The regular one uses disposable batteries and more importantly has no backlight. The SP was created to completely replace the Advance. Please make sure to not get the Game Boy Advance Micro, as that's a piece of crap.
posted by griphus at 12:43 PM on November 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
Also, if the poking-at-it part of the iPod is what your kid really clung to (as opposed to just wanting to play video games), don't bother with anything except the DS.
posted by griphus at 12:45 PM on November 25, 2010 [3 favorites]
posted by griphus at 12:45 PM on November 25, 2010 [3 favorites]
My son is also very enamored of our iPhones. For his recent 4th birthday, we got him a Leapster2, and he LOVES LOVES LOVES it. LOVES. Did I mention that he loves it? It's the best money we've ever spent on a present for either of our kids, I swear. Our 7-year-old will sometimes pick up and play with it quite happily, too.
On Amazon, you can get the Leapster2 for $39.97 right now. Games vary in price; I ordered some yesterday on a pre-Black Friday sale for $8.99, but some can be up to about $45, depending on the game (I'm not sure where bluedaisy saw them for $75, unless it was a bundle somewhere.) I'd say the average price per game, new, is $15-$20.
What's nice is that since the Leapster/Leapster2 has been around for a while, you can get the games used. I talked to a friend who worked at Leapfrog, who said that while the newest version - the Leapster Explorer - is very very nice, it is NOT backward-compatible, and there are fewer games.
If you do go the Leapster2 route, I highly recommend getting the recharging set-up, because the thing does eat batteries. So an initial investment of about $100 would get you the hand-held, the recharger, and a couple of games. And you get a free down-load game on-line when you sign up on the LeapFrog site, which I also recommend. I've been very happy with the entire thing.
posted by Lulu's Pink Converse at 1:07 PM on November 25, 2010 [2 favorites]
On Amazon, you can get the Leapster2 for $39.97 right now. Games vary in price; I ordered some yesterday on a pre-Black Friday sale for $8.99, but some can be up to about $45, depending on the game (I'm not sure where bluedaisy saw them for $75, unless it was a bundle somewhere.) I'd say the average price per game, new, is $15-$20.
What's nice is that since the Leapster/Leapster2 has been around for a while, you can get the games used. I talked to a friend who worked at Leapfrog, who said that while the newest version - the Leapster Explorer - is very very nice, it is NOT backward-compatible, and there are fewer games.
If you do go the Leapster2 route, I highly recommend getting the recharging set-up, because the thing does eat batteries. So an initial investment of about $100 would get you the hand-held, the recharger, and a couple of games. And you get a free down-load game on-line when you sign up on the LeapFrog site, which I also recommend. I've been very happy with the entire thing.
posted by Lulu's Pink Converse at 1:07 PM on November 25, 2010 [2 favorites]
DX carries an array of 7"-8"Android based tablets for around $100, which would have actual games and whatnot for them.
posted by Orb2069 at 6:31 PM on November 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by Orb2069 at 6:31 PM on November 25, 2010 [1 favorite]
In addition to whatever alternate toy you end up settling on for your daughter, why not present her with a piggy bank with a $5 bill in it so she can start saving up for an iTouch for herself? I saved about $50 on my own when I was her age because I was determined to get one of those electronic diary toys and it taught me so much about saving and earning money. IDK, it might be a good training tool to help her get acquainted with the great feeling that comes with saving up for something big. And you could periodically slip loose change into the bank and help her count it all out so she can hone her math skills as she goes on to kindergarten, first grade, etc.
Obviously an iTouch is flipping expensive and the rate at which she's going to accumulate a savings will be rather slow, but, you never know. Infatuation is a rather powerful motivator.
My vote's for the Leapster 'cause those are awesome. I'd want one if I weren't so sure the people at Target would look at me weird if I immediately started playing with a set if I bought it there...
posted by patronuscharms at 7:27 PM on November 25, 2010
Obviously an iTouch is flipping expensive and the rate at which she's going to accumulate a savings will be rather slow, but, you never know. Infatuation is a rather powerful motivator.
My vote's for the Leapster 'cause those are awesome. I'd want one if I weren't so sure the people at Target would look at me weird if I immediately started playing with a set if I bought it there...
posted by patronuscharms at 7:27 PM on November 25, 2010
have you thought about getting an old ipod touch from craigslist (or other equivalent)? you could find some good deals (a search in my city found several under $100), and if you wrap it up right, i doubt she will notice that it doesn't come in a box. (i am assuming your reticence to get her and ipod touch comes from the price tag, yes?) then you can save learning about disappointment for another year.
posted by andreapandrea at 8:18 PM on November 25, 2010
posted by andreapandrea at 8:18 PM on November 25, 2010
I agree with what Master Gunner said about responsibility. I occasionally babysit a 4 year old who had one, I think a hand-me-down from when one of her parents got an iphone. and she loves it, takes great care of it, etc. plus i always thought it was kinda nice how her dad would get her the same games he had and teach her how to play them. like for example she was really excited about Doodle God and would excitedly show me all the things she'd done on it, and tell me about what her dad had done. Plus, she knew how to watch movies on it, so it was a great distraction. i think if you gave it unsolicited to a kid maybe they wouldn't care so much. but for a kid who has seen it, knows how it works and wants one, they might be more likely to appreciate it and take good care of it. i don't know how much they cost or how much a used/ older generation one is, but she wouldn't know the difference. i think if you can find a way to get a cheap one that would be good. i don't know anything about the DS but ipod touch seems better because you can put movies on it pretty easily . . .
posted by lblair at 8:39 PM on November 25, 2010
posted by lblair at 8:39 PM on November 25, 2010
Another vote for an older iPod Touch if its an option price-wise. My two sons (just turned 11 and 5) have been using handed-down iPhones in that capacity for over a year now. The 5 year old actually does a better job keeping track of his iPhone than many adults.
You will not beat the simple interface, the wide array of (free!) games, apps, music, and movies. These two iPhones both have broken power buttons, and one with a slight scratch on the screen (both from before they were given to the kids), and we have had no major issues. Battery life on the original 4 gig model is less than stellar, but it is not a problem.
Since he was two and a half, my youngest has been able to navigate the iPhone entirely on his own, including changing the wallpaper despite the minor hurdle of not being able to read. My 11 year old likes playing the simple RPG types, plus the ever popular Farm Ville clones.
It was rather amusing to watch the 3 year old sit in front of a portable DVD player and not understand why the movie didn't start when he touched the screen. Darn outdated user interface!
posted by shinynewnick at 6:55 AM on November 26, 2010
You will not beat the simple interface, the wide array of (free!) games, apps, music, and movies. These two iPhones both have broken power buttons, and one with a slight scratch on the screen (both from before they were given to the kids), and we have had no major issues. Battery life on the original 4 gig model is less than stellar, but it is not a problem.
Since he was two and a half, my youngest has been able to navigate the iPhone entirely on his own, including changing the wallpaper despite the minor hurdle of not being able to read. My 11 year old likes playing the simple RPG types, plus the ever popular Farm Ville clones.
It was rather amusing to watch the 3 year old sit in front of a portable DVD player and not understand why the movie didn't start when he touched the screen. Darn outdated user interface!
posted by shinynewnick at 6:55 AM on November 26, 2010
Used iTouch from Craigslist, Android tablet, or netbook. 4-5 years old is plenty old enough for a real computer.
posted by rxrfrx at 11:59 AM on November 26, 2010
posted by rxrfrx at 11:59 AM on November 26, 2010
My kids just received the new Leapster 3 as an early Xmas present and really love it. It was about $60 and additional games are about $20. That said, they worship at the alter of my iPhone and I might seriously consider getting them an older iPod touch based on the recommendations in this thread.
posted by victoriab at 12:05 PM on November 26, 2010
posted by victoriab at 12:05 PM on November 26, 2010
Oh yeah, I'm not sure about the old leapsters but the new one does have a touch screen. The games tend to employ a combination of touch screen, stylus and standard game navigation.
posted by victoriab at 12:09 PM on November 26, 2010
posted by victoriab at 12:09 PM on November 26, 2010
Mod note: few comments removed - question is not anonymous and if you absolutely feel you have to critique people's parenting, take it to email; it's completely inappropriate here and in every other "help me find a gift" question
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 2:50 PM on November 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
posted by jessamyn (staff) at 2:50 PM on November 29, 2010 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by parmanparman at 11:38 AM on November 25, 2010