In a day and age where technology is taking over, we might as well use it to our advantage as a way to help develop our children’s learning.
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The VTech Innotab series is great for providing an outlet for children that provides them with a variety of different learning activities to take part in.
These tablets are aimed at children between the ages of three and nine, and they aim to allow children to learn in a fun and creative way.
There are three Innotab tablets that we are going to review here today, which are the VTech Innotab 3, 2s, and 2.
These tablets were released at different times, with the 3 being the most recent model, and they each have different features and technology that make them unique.
We will be laying all the information out on the table for you to see, so you can make an informed decision on which tablet to purchase.
Here you can find out about all the similarities and differences between the three tablets.
Let’s start with the most recent model of the Innotab series, the VTech Innotab 3.
This tablet is both educational and innovative and is targeted for anyone between the ages of 3 and 9. It is designed to be safe and durable and has a compact and lightweight design, making it easy to take around with you.
It has a directional pad that gives children more ways to play and interact, and it has a 4.3-inch touch screen and sensor for gameplay.
You can read, play, create, and even take photos with its improved 2.0 MP camera that is more enhanced than previous models.
There are hundreds of apps available that you can download, making it impossible for your children to get bored as there is always something new to do.
It allows them to have fun without even realizing that they are learning too.
Pros
- Innovative and educational use of technology.
- Suitable for a range of ages between 3 and 9.
- Touch screen and sensor for gameplay.
- Hundreds of apps available for download.
- Combines fun and learning.
Cons
- Smaller screen than other models.
Following the same learning software is the VTech Innotab 2s. This tablet uses wifi to download a variety of apps from the VTech’s Learning Lodge Navigator.
There is 2GB of memory within the tablet, and it has a 5-inch color touchscreen. There is also a memory card slot and an SD card slot so that you can expand your memory and install more games.
It is also aimed at the same age group of 3 to 9 years old, and it is easy to download games, music, e-books, and more.
The entertainment that this tablet offers is endless and will keep your children’s brains active for a long time. It is a great way to educate your children while keeping them entertained.
This tablet combines a photo/video recorder, animated e-books, and other creative activities with a variety of learning styles.
The device itself is very durable and won't be broken easily, which is a must for any children’s toy.
Pros
- Easy to download games and other apps.
- Offers endless entertainment.
- Expandable memory slots.
- Both educational and entertaining.
- Variety of learning styles available.
Cons
- The touch screen requires firm pressure.
The VTech Innotab 2 has a built-in digital video/photo camera that allows your child to creatively capture their environments.
The camera also fully rotates so that they can take photos of themselves and others. There is 2GB of onboard memory, but there is also a memory card that allows you to add an additional 16 GB of memory externally.
This will allow you to store much more content on your device, but you will have to purchase the memory card separately.
It has a 5-inch color touch screen and tilt sensor that allows for different types of gameplay and interaction.
You can even personalize the tablet for up to four separate users by customizing the wallpaper, user name, and avatar, and you can also change the voice or typed greeting.
The tablet has lots of different apps available, and you can use both game cartridges and app downloads. The recommended age for this between 4 and 9 years old.
Pros
- Built-in digital video/photo camera that fully rotates.
- Additional 16 GB of memory can be added externally.
- 5-inch color touch screen with the tilt sensor.
- Tablet can be personalized for up to four users.
- Both game cartridges and downloadable content available.
Cons
- External memory must be purchased separately.
How to Choose the Best VTech InnoTab Tablet
All of these tablets are similar in the sense that they all provide educational content that will help to benefit your child’s cognitive development and provide them with a fun way to learn new things.
These games range in content from reading to problem-solving to music. There are so many subjects to choose from, and the range of content available means that your child won’t get bored easily.
Durability is very important for any electronic device that is intended for children. All three versions of these tablets have thicker screens than your typical phone, or Ipad, as they are designed to withstand being dropped or being heavily used by children.
This ensures that it isn’t going to break within 5 minutes of being dropped out of the box. However, the different screens also mean that you have to be quite heavy-handed when using the touch screen functions; otherwise, it won’t register what you are doing.
On the subject of screens, the Innotab 2 and 2s tablets have 5-inch screens, yet the Innotab 3 has a 4.3-inch screen.
If you are looking for a bigger screen, you should go with the first two models, though this may not make a difference for some people as the size difference isn’t that big. The smaller screen does come with the advantage of being lighter and more portable.
Age is something that should be considered if you are thinking of purchasing one of these tablets. The Innotab 2s and 3 are suitable for children aged between three and nine, but the Innotab 3 is suitable for children between the ages of four and nine.
While this difference isn’t very significant, it is something to think about. If your child is towards the end of this age range, this tablet may not provide as much entertainment for as long as they will soon grow out of it. You could instead look at something that is more targeted towards older children.
Another aspect to consider when it comes to age is whether or not the apps and games are suitable for your child. For children who are more advanced in their development, this may not be the best option for them.
They could find the games too easy, and they could lose interest very quickly if they aren’t feeling challenged by the tools available.
If you are looking for a tablet with wifi, then the Innotab 2 and 3 will not be the right tablet for you. However, the Innotab 2s does have wifi features enabled.
It is a child-safe version of the internet, and you can choose to accept or deny access to different web pages that you don’t want your child to be looking at.
This is great as it gives you complete control, and you don’t have to worry about what they might be looking at online. The versions of this tablet that don’t have wifi will need to be connected to a pc via a cable in order to download any new content.
Which Tablet Should I Buy?
Essentially, the differences in the models are that the newer models have been adapted over time as new software became available. The Innotab 3 is the newest version out of all three tablets, and therefore, it has some superior features that the others might not.
It also takes less time to start up than the other two models because the processor was upgraded, but the Innotab 2s isn’t far behind. They all offer the same basic idea that they come with educational games and apps for your children to enjoy, but certain design aspects make the newer models more superior.
The Innotab 2s is just an upgraded version of the 2nd model. While the price is going to be higher as it is a better version of the previous model, it might not be worth the price if you aren’t interested in these special features.
The main difference is the wifi capability, which means that you don’t have to go through the hassle of connecting it to the computer. It also makes it easier to sync photos and videos that have been taken on the tablet.
Summary
There isn’t actually that much of a big difference between the three models of the VTech Innotab other than the new wifi feature and a faster processor in newer models.
If you want wifi, then you should definitely go with the Innotab 2s. But if this isn’t a concern, then it is completely up to you which tablet you choose.
As a parent of a five-year-old inquisitive boy, I have gained a lot of experience finding fun activities and toys to help him understand science and understanding our world in general. On this blog, you’ll find an extensive amount of tutorials, guides, and toys about Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math based on my personal experience to help your child develop critical STEM skills.
