We love electronics in our house. The kids are constantly asking to use my phone (that’s a big NO, mostly because I’m selfish and don’t trust them not to break it) or they’re staring over John’s shoulder when he’s using his tablet. A couple weeks ago we got a VTech InnoTab 3S Plus Learning Tablet.
The VTech Innotab 3S Plus is a 5″ tablet recommended for ages 3 to 9, and it has an MSRP of $79.99.
I really think the VTech InnoTab 3S Plus is a great first tablet for kids. It seems pretty sturdy, with rubberized bumpers on the corners and a recessed screen, and easy to grip in small hands.
The screen display is colorful and easy to navigate, and the stylus is attached to the tablet with a string and has a slot to fit in the back when it’s not in use. You can create different profiles (so it’s perfect for siblings to share), or users can choose the “guest” profile.
One of the things I don’t love about electronic toys is the battery replacement. It seems like we never have the right size batteries, or I can’t find them, or the battery case requires several tools to open it. (I may be exaggerating just a bit…) Batteries are a pain. The InnoTabs 3S Plus comes with a rechargeable battery power pack so you don’t need to worry about replacing the batteries constantly and it saves money!
One of Dexter’s favorite things to do is take photographs, so I knew he’d like the 180° rotating camera. Not only can he take selfies or pictures of his brothers, but he can also use over 55 special effects to enhance his photos, and make movies with the video recorder.
The highlight of the VTech tablet for my kids is the VTech Premium Kid Connect. Kid Connect is an app that allows kids to exchange text messages, drawings, photos, and voice messages with family members on their iPhone or Android smartphones. I downloaded the (free) app to my Android phone and immediately received a deluge of messages from Cooper, followed by him yelling from the other room, “MOM! Send me email!”
Adding additional family members is pretty easy – I sent them an email invite through the app and then approve them as soon as they sign up.
It’s a lot of fun and the kids really love it. The VTech Premium Kid Connect is great for entertainment and communication, but it makes me feel a little safer, too. I like that the kids have a means of communication in addition to my cell phone should they ever need it.
The Kid Connect features will be enhanced later this fall to include a parent-controlled group chat and a fun multi-player game.
The InnoTab 3S Plus features Wi-Fi and it comes with 16 apps, including the Premium Kid Connect, the My Magic Beanstalk Game, and the Art Studio. It also offers access to more than 800 educator-endorsed, age and stage appropriate cartridges, software, and apps that you can purchase and download from VTech’s Learning Lodge app store.
Kids can even explore VTech and websites with kid-safe Wi-Fi. The InnoTab comes with VTech approves sites kids can access, but parents can also approve additional sites for kids to explore.
Overall, the kids can do pretty much anything I can do with my tablet – play games, read books, communicate with others, take photos, etc. They can even import and listen to their own MP3s with the music player. I love that they are learning while playing, and that they are safe from any inappropriate apps or sites.
We did have one difficulty with our VTech InnoTab 3S Plus. Although we charged the tablet a few times without any problems, we started to have difficulty getting the battery pack to recharge. Our tablet will work without any problems when plugged in, but for on-the-go use we have to use regular batteries for now. Since we’ve always been very satisfied with VTech products we’ve purchased or received as gifts, I feel like this is probably just a fluke bad battery, and I’m pretty confident that VTech will help us to get a replacement if we can’t get it to work.
Want more information or to purchase a tablet? Visit the VTech InnoTab web page. You can also follow @VTechToys on Twitter and like the VTech Facebook Page.
Here’s the part I’m most excited about: one of you will win a VTech InnoTab 3S Plus Learning Tablet! Enter on the form below. The winner will be contacted by email and will have only 24 hours to respond to claim their prize. Winner must provide a mailing address in the United States; the prize can NOT be shipped to a P.O. Box.
My son would love to take photos and make everyone look silly.
I would love to win this for our 4 year old son – would make a great Christmas present. I think he would like the camera the most.
I would like to win this for my niece and nephew! I think they would love it!!
My son would love this! I can see him ‘texting’ his Grandma and Papa all of the time!
if i win fingers cross it would be for my Daughter i think she would enjoy everything on this innotab.
We would love this! My guy would flip out if he got something like this.
We have been looking into this as one of our options for our 3 yr old.
My daughter would love the camera and “having her own computer”
My kiddos would all love this!!
My daughter would really enjoy this, and I would love that she could play educational games and not have to worry about her being able to reach any inappropriate content.
My daughter would enjoy the video recorder.
My grandsons will enjoy this device! My favorite feature is that they can set their own user profiles.
I’d be the best grandma ever! If I was able to give this to
my 5 year old grandson
This would be for my grandson. I like the 180° rotating camera.
My daughter will enjoy this, and I like the camera feature the most.
My Niece Would Enjoy This Tablet, I’m Excited About The Kid Connect Feature!
My son would love this tablet, especially the camera feature.
My cousin would like this. He would especially like the texting and camera!
My Son would love the rotating camera.
My 4 year old would love this! I can only imagine all the pics he would take.
My granddaughters would get this if I won. I like the Wi-Fi and 16 apps it comes with.
This would be for my daughter.
My 5 yr old son. Hed love the games and camera
My 5 year old would be enjoying the Vtech Innotab 3s! I love the rotating camera, and that it comes with 16 apps!
My 4 year old son loves to take pictures so the camera is my favorite feature. He would love this.
My son will be enjoying this a LOT!
My daughters would love this, and I am most excited about the camera. Thank you for the wonderful giveaway.
Erin
This would be for my four year old son!
I know that he will be excited about the camera.
My Grandson Grayson would be using it most and then his little Sister to of cours.
I would to win this for my niece. She would love the camera feature.
I would love to win for my youngest daughter although they other 4 will most likely want to try it out too. Thanks so much for the chance to win this
It would be for my granddaughter and she would love the art studio.
I would give this to my son for Christmas, he would love the camera feature!
My four year old would love this
My two little guys will be taking turns with this If I win. I am most excited for the camera feature.
My 4 year old son would be getting it for Christmas
2 of my boys would love it. I think they will like the camera feature
My son would play this. He would like the camera feature.
My youngest granddaughter would enjoy this. The feature that she would love is the camera as she has been asking for one for about 6 months.
Charlie and Jack! We love it all!!! The camera for sure.
Both my boys (5 and 2) will be using this… and likely fighting over it! 🙂
This looks awesome! My daughter would love it, especially the camera!
My kids would love this!
I like rechargeable battery and all the free apps it comes with and you can get.
My kids would love this.
This looks so cool! I bet my boys would love this!
If on the road an we dont have wifi while we are on the road or visiting, can they still do activities on it?
Yep, you can use it without wifi.