All iPads So who else is getting their kids iPads for Christmas?

[1BadManVan]

Having 3 kids, this is definitely one of my larger purchases for Christmas gifts I’ve ever done for our kids but I think it’s finally time for an upgrade. They’ve had their lg tablets now for awhile (oldest one has had his for a couple years now) but they are definitely starting to struggle at some of their games.

I give them credit, they almost never complain about them except on days where they are constantly crashing in the middle of their games and it gets frustrating. They have also taken great care of them, zero broken screens so I feel confident they will care of these. Though they still all got apple care plus, screen Protectors and cases.


Who else is picking iPads for this christmas? Any concerns? Who has set up their restrictions and time limits?

My kids are limited to an hour or so during the week on school days with a bit more freedom on the weekends. If the oldest one had it his way, he would live on it. I don’t want to shield my kids from technology too much as it’s already a big part of schools now out here. But I don’t want them reliant on it either.

We decided on the Air 3 for more future proofing as they will eventually become a larger tool for their schooling as well. So dad is a bit jealous over here with his base model
Ipad 6 lol.

To whoever is in the same boat as me, what did you end up going with for your kids? Is this their first tablet or an upgrade?

 

[gsmornot]

My kids are older now but when they were younger they both had the original iPad minis. Screen time was not an option and they were on them more than an hour per week. Ha. Before there was an iPad, they had iPods and had those before iPhones. So we have been though some devices over the years.

Kids here have been using iPads from the school for roughly 5 years. Neither of my kids use or ask for a personal iPad any longer. They both have and use their phones daily, the older one has a MacBook Air for college. What I found with them is not to over buy. They were happy just having a way to do something with a screen. The original mini was the cheapest iPad option at the time and it was plenty. I dont know at this point where the Air 3 fits into the lineup but I believe there is a more basic iPad. One that sells for @300 ish and at times for less, that is the one I would get. Not saying the Air 3 is a bad choice just saying dont over buy, the kids will still appreciate whatever they get. All of our older iPads are still around the house with the exception of maybe two.

Even now they have iPhone 11s after having their previous phones for two years. With a teen that is in dog years, they were beat up and ready for an upgrade. The 11 is a fantastic device but is also the least cost option of the 3 newest upper models. They are and have been happy just to have a device as always. My point is not to suggest anything about your buying decision, its to say if the Air 3 is a stretch dont feel bad stepping back to the more basic iPad they will be a great option. Unless they are doing something more demanding even older versions will be a great choice. I sit here on a 12.9 Pro and can tell you its way more than I can use but that’s ok, I am the one with the job.

 

[TechRunner]

I would buy them all the 7th gen iPad and put an Air 3 under the tree for yourself. I'm thinking that would make everyone's holiday brighter

Edit: I recently bought a 7th gen iPad, and it's very capable, especially for the price!

 

[FlyingDutch]

Done last Xmas for my little kid (9 y/o), an iPad 2018.
Very happy about it, but I was wrong about the storage: I brought the 32 Gb version, thinking it was ok for him. Wrong.

I don’t know their age, but Air 3 seem to be overkill for kids. Why not a “regular” ipad ?

 

[808drums]

Buy the 7th iPad or the Kindle Fire... The Air 3 has extra features that kids doesn’t use.

 

[808drums]

Buy the 7th iPad or the Kindle Fire... The Air 3 has extra features that kids doesn’t use.

And remember to buy a rugged case for all of them

 

[FlyingDutch]

Buy the 7th iPad or the Kindle Fire... The Air 3 has extra features that kids doesn’t use.

Kindle Fire ? Please don’t ! poor kids... ?

 

[jbachandouris]

My kids (13 and 18) won't even touch my iPad. They've never asked. They use their iPhone 8's.

I bought my son a Kindle Fire a few years back and he never uses it.

My daughter refuses to use screen mirroring even though our Samsung TV supports it. She's rather watch her Youtube videos on her tiny iPhone 8. SMH.

 

[FlyingDutch]

My kids (13 and 18) won't even touch my iPad. They've never asked. They use their iPhone 8's.

I bought my son a Kindle Fire a few years back and he never uses it.

My daughter refuses to use screen mirroring even though our Samsung TV supports it. She's rather watch her Youtube videos on her tiny iPhone 8. SMH.

Strange enough my little son loves his iPad, while my elder son doesn’t want one (he’s using his iPhone for everything). ??‍♂️

 

[hotr32]

I also have 3 kids all with iPads, I upgraded my 10 year olds original iPad Air last Christmas to the 6th gen, after 2 years with that he accidentally dropped in the kitchen (always has a case on it) and it cracked. My 7 year old is getting a 6th gen this year, (I found an amazing deal) coincidently he dropped his iPad mini 2 e same kitchen (with a case on it) and it cracked. And finally my soon to be 13 year old is getting his Air 2 replaced, he cracked the screen earlier this year and I told him I’m not replacing it to teach him some responsibility, he’s taken such great care of it since it broke, and yes it has a case on it and it’s that same kitchen floor that broke this! Lesson learned, they all are not allowed to have their iPads in the kitchen anymore!! LOL!

See my thread on here about what to replace his Air 2 with: Air 3 or 10.5 Pro or 11” Pro.

 

[parker5011]

My 2 oldest (11 and 8) have iPad mini 3s. They are getting a little long in the tooth so next year may be the year for new ones. They have had me down iPhones (as iPods. No service) and honestly atm do not want cell phones. I’m gonna hold them off as long as I can.

If I were gonna buy some for them today I’d buy the new regular iPad at 128gigs. At $300 a piece it would give them everything they need and the storage to do what they want.

 

[1BadManVan]

Reasoning behind my decision was the 32gb base wouldn’t be enough in the long run and the difference between the air and the 128gb base was less than $100 and it seemed worth the upgrade at that price difference. These iPads will double as their gaming devices as well

 

[The Game 161]

Got ours iPad mini 5...we feel will last her until she can afford to buy one for herself

 

[1BadManVan]

Got ours iPad mini 5...we feel will last her until she can afford to buy one for herself

yea for me I felt the processor would become obsolete before the storage going with the 128gb base vs the 64gb air. 32gb was out of the question with all the games and shows.

extra $80 gets me a far better cpu, larger and nicer screen and better front camera. I totally understand most about the base model and I almost pulled the trigger on that as well and I know they would have loved them. but the inner geek in me just wanted to make sure they got something awesome that would last them a long time going forward.

trust me, I already been playing around on them as I’m setting them up for them ahead of Christmas and I’m jealous lol.

 

[The Game 161]

yea for me I felt the processor would become obsolete before the storage going with the 128gb base vs the 64gb air. 32gb was out of the question with all the games and shows.

extra $80 gets me a far better cpu, larger and nicer screen and better front camera. I totally understand most about the base model and I almost pulled the trigger on that as well and I know they would have loved them. but the inner geek in me just wanted to make sure they got something awesome that would last them a long time going forward.

trust me, I already been playing around on them as I’m setting them up for them ahead of Christmas and I’m jealous lol.

Yeah felt the same that 32GB isn’t quite enough for what they tend to use them for

I have the mini 5 myself and I love how portable it is..ticks a lot of the boxes

 

[AutomaticApple]

Yeah felt the same that 32GB isn’t quite enough for what they tend to use them for

32GB isn't enough for most people in general these days.

 

[MacRazySwe]

You seem like a great dad!

I was thinking of gifting myself an iPad, but I think I will wait. My Air 2 is still OK. Decided to splurge on my girlfriend instead, she's getting an Apple Watch under the tree!

 

[1BadManVan]

You seem like a great dad!

I was thinking of gifting myself an iPad, but I think I will wait. My Air 2 is still OK. Decided to splurge on my girlfriend instead, she's getting an Apple Watch under the tree!

Spoiled everyone this year lol. Wife got an xbox one, kids for their iPads and other various toys.

i splurged in the summer with my Durango r/t so I don’t mind leaving myself out for Christmas lol

 

[Thrutheroofnunderground]

I personally don't have kids, so no iPads for Christmas for them, and I just bought my wife a new iPad for her birthday, and a new Apple Watch for Christmas. Maybe I'll upgrade my ancient iPad or finally buy an Apple Watch for myself eventually...

I DO have to say something because I find it absolutely ludicrous:
My sister-in-law is buying her 9 year old daughter a iPad Pro for Christmas. A child who has broken numerous iPads in the last couple of years, is always losing things, and I believe has lost an iPad as well (they don't password protect them apparently, so...) this year.

Why would anyone buy their nine year old child an iPad Pro? I won't even splurge to buy myself one, and it isn't a "they just have it to blow" situation.

 

[1BadManVan]

I personally don't have kids, so no iPads for Christmas for them, and I just bought my wife a new iPad for her birthday, and a new Apple Watch for Christmas. Maybe I'll upgrade my ancient iPad or finally buy an Apple Watch for myself eventually...

I DO have to say something because I find it absolutely ludicrous:
My sister-in-law is buying her 9 year old daughter a iPad Pro for Christmas. A child who has broken numerous iPads in the last couple of years, is always losing things, and I believe has lost an iPad as well (they don't password protect them apparently, so...) this year.

Why would anyone buy their nine year old child an iPad Pro? I won't even splurge to buy myself one, and it isn't a "they just have it to blow" situation.

IPad Pro I pretty ridiculous for an 9 year old, especially if they are breaking and losing their past ones on top of that. Some people have more money then brains I guess

My kids started off on cheap craigslist lg tablets and they haven’t lost or broken them once. If they had? They wouldn’t be getting iPads. They stay within their time limits and when their done, they put them in their designated spot in the main room and plug them in.

They aren’t allowed to keep them in their rooms or use them in the morning before school and no electronics after 6. If they break the rules, they lose them. Got to set rules and boundaries for kids

 

[parker5011]

IPad Pro I pretty ridiculous for an 9 year old, especially if they are breaking and losing their past ones on top of that. Some people have more money then brains I guess

Mins started off on cheap craigslist lg tablets and they haven’t lost or broken them once. If they had? They wouldn’t be getting iPads. They stay within their time limits and when their done, they put them in their designated spot in the main room and plug them in.

Same. We have a charging area in the office at the house. Before bed they plug them in. No electronics in the bedrooms. That may change one day but not in the foreseeable future

 

[Thrutheroofnunderground]

IPad Pro I pretty ridiculous for an 9 year old, especially if they are breaking and losing their past ones on top of that. Some people have more money then brains I guess

Mins started off on cheap craigslist lg tablets and they haven’t lost or broken them once. If they had? They wouldn’t be getting iPads. They stay within their time limits and when their done, they put them in their designated spot in the main room and plug them in.

That's why I had to throw it out there. I was told about it a few days ago and just can't get over how nuts it is to me. I would be buying them a cheap, maybe used/refurbished one, to see if they could actually take care of it. Then maybe buy them a new regular iPad in a year or more. The pro isn't justifiable at all to me, especially when all she'll do is play games and watch videos. I've been wanting one to use for personal and professional use for two years, and can't bring myself to spend the money for it. This just reinforces not taking care of things, and that her mom will replace it, and with something that's much more expensive.

The replies reassure me there are at least some people with common sense left.

 

[1BadManVan]

That's why I had to throw it out there. I was told about it a few days ago and just can't get over how nuts it is to me. I would be buying them a cheap, maybe used/refurbished one, to see if they could actually take care of it. Then maybe buy them a new regular iPad in a year or more. The pro isn't justifiable at all to me, especially when all she'll do is play games and watch videos. I've been wanting one to use for personal and professional use for two years, and can't bring myself to spend the money for it. This just reinforces not taking care of things, and that her mom will replace it, and with something that's much more expensive.

The replies reassure me there are at least some people with common sense left.

Her mom isnt doing her any favours as she grows up. Not going to learn any responsibility and will be in for a shock when she’s older when she now needs to take on those responsibilities her moms shielding from her

I don’t think any big purchases like these should be made without a lot on consideration for the kind of kid they are buying for. Maturity level etc.

 

[AutomaticApple]

An iPad Pro is more suitable for someone who's 13 years or older.

 

[rui no onna]

An iPad Pro is more suitable for someone who's 13 years or older.

Lol, still wouldn't give an iPad Pro to a teenager unless it's a hand-me-down or a heavily discounted older model. If they want a Pro, they can work for it themselves.