VTech Innotab 3S with Kid Connect: Review and Giveaway
The last time you heard me talking about the VTech Innotab 3S, was when I was telling you to pre-order it, because we loved our Innotab 2S so much! Well, we've gotten very cozy with our new 3S and the compatable Kid Connect that is available for parents to be able to text back and forth with their children without having to get them a PHONE on top of a tablet. It also features a tablet to tablet connect as well, and both tablet users need to be on WiFi connections in order to text to either the tablet or the mobile phone.
I won't rehash the specs of the Innotab 2S with you, and will only be sharing what the 3S brings to the table instead. Is that okay?
The number one item that makes the Innotab 3S tablet better than it's predecessor is the fact that it comes with a portable charging cord, so no more buying batteries over and over again! It was one of the things that I was really frustrated with not having in our previous tablet. 
It comes with 4GB of memory and can be expanded up to 32 GB with a microSD card.
KidConnect - as explained above, it is a way for the children to feel a little more tech savvy without having to get them their own mobile phones OR let them use mom or dad's. It works perfectly for homeschool as well, during self guided sessions as the ladybug can attempt to text me to let me know that she is finished with one of the eReader apps (which by the way, are FANTASTIC!) and wants me to come and check. I love that she can feel independent in her tablet usage, and isn't always having to use my tablet and accidentally purchase any of the games that may pop up in the store. All communication from tablet to tablet can be approved by mom and dad as well, so no worries with inappropriate messages!
Kid Connect is also a great way for children to stay connected to their parents when they may be on a visit with other family members, and may need a quick, but private message that they are loved and missed.
Web Safe Browsing - This is what I LOVE! I can rest easy knowing that all we browsers are parent approved and kid safe. No matter if they try to type a new browser into the window, the site would have to be vetted by parents, and if it isn't, the child will not be able to surf it. This saves so much time and worry about your child accessing inappropriate subject matter, or spending money on apps attached to your credit card. Not that this has EVER happened to any of us tech savvy mamas!
I also love the problem solving games and and stories that you can download from the Learning Lodge, which is an app that you need to download onto your desktop , and which allows you to connect to the tablet to download more games and eBooks before going on errands or road trips. You can also sign in to see how your child(ren) are progressing with a particular book or game. The Learning Lodge gives parents and children access to purchase hundreds of engaging, age-appropriate games, videos, e-books and music, endorsed by VTech’s team of educational experts. By the end of the year, the Learning Lodge will expand from its current library of 350 titles to over 600 titles that teach reading, math, social studies, handwriting, science, problem solving, geography and more.
Featured throughout the downloads and software cartridges are popular characters such as Team Umizoomi™, Dora the Explorer™, Thomas & Friends®, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles®, Jake & the Never Land Pirates™ and Sesame Street®. New titles for 2013 on the Learning Lodge include Monsters University®, Turbo®, Planes®, Doc McStuffins®, Sofia the First® and more.
If that hasn't convinced you, here is a video review from Time To Play on the specifics of the Innotab 3S and all of the greatness that it has! All of this for MSRP of $99.99 $79.99 for the holidays! Remember that it's geared for children 3-9 so even the littles can get in on the fun. It also comes in colors other than pink, so if you're not liking that particular color, no worries.
But wait! There's more! I'm giving away a great pack just in time for the holiday season!
Tell me how Kid Connect would work well for you and your child - that's it! Giveaway closes Friday, November 29, 2013 at 11:59 pm!
The VTech product, information, and additional gift pack have been provided by VTech.
This has so many things to love, all the various apps you can purchase to keep them entertained, it is educational, They would love the camera/movie maker this comes with and my niece & nephew like to be on the phone with their daddy so they could send him messages and pics while he is at work.
This would be an awesome educational tool for my daughter. I look forward to the reading and writing apps.
My 3 year old grand son would LOVE this .My twins have a different tablet for kids and he plays with it when he comes over. This would be much better for him. I have been stalking this for hm for Christmas and would Love for him to grow with this. *fingers crossed*
This would be such a blessing in our home! We are pushing hard for a spot in the local private school, however, if denied we will be home schooling. AND my little miss has stated she "haves to have this one, mom. Then I can text you" Goofy kid. I think it would also allow her to connect on an academic level with her dad and myself since we both spend HOURS each week working on homework either online or on our laptops.
This educational item would be great for my 3 year old. He has mastered my Kindle Fire. Which is now loaded with a majority of games and puzzles for him. I love to see my child learn and ask for help when he needs it. Great article!
Kid Connect would be so useful when I am out of the house but need to check in with my kids. We would be able to text them and check in. It would also be a fun way for them to connect with grandparents and other family members.
This would be great for either my 4 year old or soon to be 2 year old. They have so much interest in smart phone and computers and this would be a way to couple the two to their liking. The educational opportunites are plentiful and they would greatly enjoy it.
This would be perfect for my son. He is very interested in learning aps but has bought several aps while playing...oops.
I am wanting an Innotab 3s so that my children can learn on a safe tablet. I have been doing a TON of research on them and besides the great points you mentioned above (esp Kid Connect!) I love that I can put music or educational videos on it. It has everything I want in a tablet for my children-Educational games but with enough "oopf" to not "feel" like a game, ruggedness for a four year old boy, and ways for my children to feel "in" without me being out every time they buy a game on my tablet! Thank you for the oppurtunity!
I would love one of thesis for my granddaughter so we could always be in ouch. Thanks for the opportunity.