Over the last couple of holidays between Christmas, Easter and Birthdays, my kids have asked for tech gifts. They wanted new phones, tablets, laptops of their own and other devices. It’s been a balance between allowing them screen time, not creating a tech handicap and normalizing what I find to be an acceptable degree of internet consumption and tech dependence with everyday life and growing up as a modern kid. It’s a day to day balance and test of staying ahead of the technological advances, watching them closely and staying curious and open to what is new and how my children interact with the devices that they have.
A tech-heavy family, between my work needs and our communication needs, this year we landed on we landed on updated phones and Chromebooks for the big kids, a Kids Kindle Fire for the youngest and an Echo Dot {after having an Echo Show in the kitchen for a good minute} and Nest Home for the bedrooms. Some we have loved more than others, but here’s the take on what I as Mom dig about these and which have been the kids favorites.
Hands Down House Favorite: The Amazon Echo Show
We use it every morning. I listen to my morning news podcast, check the forecast and get random trivia that I like to listen to while I drink my morning coffee. I set routines, timers, reminders and alarms. We watch videos and listen to music daily. It is easy to say that Alexa has been integrated into our lives and we love it.
As mom, I love that it was easy to set up and is easy for the kids to use. I love that I can keep track of what the kids are watching my using the app. I use it with Amazon Prime and Amazon Music because it works for our household, but as long as you have a free-flowing internet connection, you’ll be good for this one. Find it here
Big Kid Mini-Sized Device Favorite: Google Nest Mini
The big kids love this one for the bedroom. I set parental controls, and they listen to music and set their alarms. I love how this one easily integrates into the other google based products and services that we have and how easy it is to use — “Ok, Google.” keeps it simple. Find it here.
Favorite Entry Level Tech Device: Fire Kids Edition
As my kids get old enough for devices, the Fire Kids Edition is typically their first. It seems to have been a pattern with all of mine, as seen with my youngest in our cover picture, and our nieces and nephews too. Why? The price is right, and the battery life rocks. The parental controls are easy to use and give me a bit of peace of mind around the whole tech-tablet situation. Also, Freetime, Amazon’s kid safe digital hub that makes a designated place for them to hang out on the tablet, is my jam with younger kids, like my 6 year old. An extra bonus is that Kindle Fire tablets in the cases are almost life proof, and trust me we have put it to the test. Find it here.
