Great toy\real tablet. It is basically a real Fire 7 tablet, with kid's built-in entertainment center. There are 2 modes here: Parent (admin) and Kids (one or multiple accounts). When in Parent mode (password protected), the Fire 7 looks and feels just like an Android tablet with all of the Fire 7 functionality (Facebook, Netflix, Books, blah, blah), so all of us Android users feel right at home. In the Parent mode you can also manage kids accounts: how much they can use the tablet per day, what they can and cannot watch/play, manage their installed apps, ect. When in kid's mode, the tablet behaves just like it is on the pictures, easy-to-use, colorful interface. You need to click switch user to switch from Parent to Kids accounts.
Some confusion here I got from reading other reviews- the kids apps are not pre-installed; the main interface is an app store, just like Google Play, ect. The apps here are unique to this Kids Account, and are all free with the included subscription; which includes don't know how many games, Amazon Videos, reading and audio books. You still have to download each app before using it, so make sure to stock up on apps before going on a road trip.
Parents! Are you tired of your phone or tablet being commandeered by drooling sticky handed bandits? Are you done with your apps and photos disappearing after a 40 minute Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Appisode binge? Are you fed up with cracked and damaged phones by no fault of your own? Well, let me tell you about the Fire 7 Kids Edition Tablet! At 1/7th the cost of an iPad and Lifeproof case, you can prevent your phone from becoming a $700 sticky cracked brick. The Fire 7 is your affordable answer. At just under $100, for the 16GB model, you can entertain your child for up to 8 hours. However, our professional toddler testing center has seen times closer to 6 hours in real world testing. Additionally, the charging time is a little slow; taking a few hours to charge fully. However, no child needs to spend 6 straight hours looking at a screen. The weight is lite, and with the case, it can withstand most drops from toddler height. We have only had it for a week, but our team of toddler researchers will continue to test to bring you the best insight to this device.
We have always used Samsung tablets and so this took a little while adjusting how to navigate.
So, far we have been using this for about a week and it does take some time to set-up. You will need to go through and make sure all the settings are correct for your kid, and this will take some time (I think the effort is worth it)
This review is specifically for the Kids Edition tablet:
The tablet:
The tablet itself, is a good size for my (almost) 3 yr old. It is not heavy and seems to be the right size for him to handle. The protective case has definitely done its job because we have already had a couple of incidents. (update: this has been thrown against a wall and landed on tile, and no cracks or breaks) The viewing quality is decent. Otherwise, it is what you would expect from a tablet. I have not had another Fire before, so I can only compare this to a Samsung Galaxy, and so far, it is what I would expect from a tablet of this class.
The features (the real reason for the purchase):
is it worth it? YES. DEFINITELY
Previously, we had been sharing our tablet and our phones with our little one, but more and more he would get into content he should not be getting into - everything from buying stuff and watching content not appropriate for his age - ie our downloads of Deadpool and Logan because these look like 'superheroes' but they are not the appropriate ones for kids - (side note: I loved how they portrayed Deadpool and Logan - we are big comic fans and they finally got their characters right!).
I have even deleted YouTube from our tablets and hidden the app in our phones in files so that he can't get at them...
But this tablet has been a game changer. It has GREAT parental controls. I love being able to hand him the tablet and not worry about what he is going to come across. (if you have a little one, you will still need to go through and filter content because there are older kid content that may be too much for the younger ones). Personally, I spent about 2 hours going through the content. I wish they had a better way to filter through the content - like have subject sections - ie math science history... Most of the content is great and educational, but some, like learning about adverbs and adjectives is just not where we are at currently. Filtering the content, I was able to let my little one get to the videos games and books that he would be most interested in faster without having to scroll through too much stuff. There is also a feature that allows you to limit how much content, which content, and for how long they can do stuff. You can have unlimited reading time, and limit the videos and apps(games) to only an hour or so. I have set the tablet to lock down 30 mins before bedtime to until mid afternoon (after nap time) which allows for real play time in the morning and then he has the tablet to occupy late afternoon as I am getting dinner ready and cleaning up around the house.
CONS: download speed. much content needs to be downloaded and that takes time. The books apps and videos are not already pre-loaded and if they want to watch read or do something new, it will need to be downloaded. We have a hotspot on our phones for road trips and I do take a lot of plane trips with the little one, so I would suggest pre-downloading favorites for the trip.
update: Does not work with Chromecast - I think this this goes for all Fire tablets. Even though they are an android, it looks like you would need a Fire stick. This is not a deal breaker for us, but it is nice to be able to mirror the content to the tv.
CONCERN: I would say at this moment, my main concern is I love the "FreeTime" feature, but how much is this going to cost me when my free year is up?
I have already been recommending this product to my friends with young kids.
There are some cool content for older kids, but depending on your child's interest, a regular tablet would most likely be more appropriate.
I paid for my product and there has not been any incentive for me to do this review. I don't work with Amazon nor am I affiliated with them.
Updating my review bc of the incredibly fast resolution from customer support. The charging ports went out on them both within a few weeks of each other, in less than a year of owning them. While they are supposed to be built for child endurance and I checked my kids did not abuse the ports from liquid or physical damage (which I know from my own cell experience ports do not have much longevity), I thought these would last much longer. But customer support was great and within hours of my request they processed replacements to be shipped. Wow.
For the tablets themselves, I like them for my kids on road trips, and have recently used them w my kids as a reward system for going above and beyond their normal chores and behaviors. They can earn tablet time for 'extras' in which they go out of their way unexpectedly (mind you, not what should be expected normally). When I notice a surprise behavior I'll add an additional 5 min via another marble in the jar and you'd think they won the lottery. It's a great motivator when needed.
Firstly, we love this tablet for our 8 year old. He's had one off and on again for a few years now, and we know this thing inside and out by now.
Occasionally you have to delete the cache to get more space, but a decently sized micro-sd card works wonders for this.
A magnetic charging cable is also ideal because he's rough on the port, because let's face it, he's a kid. He doesn't have the fine-motor skills for a delicate hand about it, so it happens.
The only issue I really have is the homepage carousel where he can literally load the friggin thing up with the most space-wasters available, and at any whim he pleases. Man, I hate that. I don't know how to change it, but I vow it will be doomed if I can manage it.
Kid's non-verbal on top of it. While he has an Ipad at school, we prefer the Kindle Fire. It's more user-friendly and we've found he's more willing to communicate via the Fire than he is the Ipad. A little less expensive, as well. Certainly the accessories and the apps are far more expensive on an Ipad.
What I'm seeing here in the reviews is a lot of people having beef with the 2 year warranty.
People. They are NOT going to send you a free tablet just because you tell them yours is broken. They pay for the shipping, you print out the label, slap the device in a box, tape the label on, and as soon as they get it (it's pretty dang fast, don't fret) they send you a replacement.
For two years, they'll do this.
They're not going to let you keep the broken tablet. That is not part of the warranty. Honestly, how often do you think people would take advantage of this?
Pretty often.
Kid's drowned one in a tub, cracked a screen of I don't know how many, threw one off a moving bus on his way home from school (HOW?!), and they've replaced them every single time, with no stress.
I love this tablet, hate the home-screen, but love this tablet. My kid's talking now, actually talking, and I firmly believe his tablet use, especially in therapy, has been a HUGE break-through in that.
So, yeah, all-in-all, I would recommend the heck out of this device. If your child is on the ASD spectrum, it could very easily become an essential tool in their daily life.
We've tried many devices, including the dreadful Nabi, and honestly, I think the Fire is absolutely perfect for what our kiddo needs.
Feature Product
- Contains two Fire 7 Kids Edition tablets (16 GB): one with a Blue Kid-Proof Case, and one with a Pink Kid-Proof Case
- Not a toy, a full-featured Fire 7 tablet with a 7" IPS display, 16 GB internal storage, and up to 8 hours of mixed-use battery life. Add a microSD card for up to 256 GB of expandable storage
- The included 1 year of FreeTime Unlimited gives your kids access to over 20,000 popular apps and games, videos, books, Audible books, and educational content from PBS Kids, Nickelodeon, Disney, and more. Your subscription will then automatically renew every month starting at just $2.99 per month plus applicable tax. You may cancel at any time by visiting the Amazon Parent Dashboard or contacting Customer Service.
- 2-year worry-free guarantee: if they break it, return it and we'll replace it for free. No questions asked.
- Introducing Spanish language content in FreeTime Unlimited - kids can now enjoy over 1,000 books, movies, and apps in Spanish that include titles and characters like Sesamo, Dora, Diego, Frozen, and more.
- Kids can listen to thousands of hours of fun, educational and inspirational Audible books like Beauty and the Beast, The Snow Queen, Peter Pan, Rip Van Winkle, and more - professionally narrated by their favorite characters, authors and celebrities.
- Add even more content to your child's profile in FreeTime to give them selected access to apps in your personal library, such as Netflix and Minecraft
- Easy-to-use parental controls allow parents to personalize screen time limits, set educational goals, filter age-appropriate content, and also manage web browsing and content usage. Parental controls can be set on device or online through Amazon Parent Dashboard. Additionally, access all tablet features in the adult profile by entering your passcode.
Description
Powerful, full-featured Fire 7 tablet--with 1 year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited and a Kid-Proof Case--for a savings of up to $129--plus a 2-year worry-free guarantee.
Content kids crave
Amazon FreeTime Unlimited is an all-in-one subscription that brings together all the types of content that kids ages 3-12 want, with over 20,000 books, movies, TV shows, educational apps, games, (and soon, Audible audiobooks!). Fire Kids Edition includes a year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited at no additional cost.
Built for even the toughest kids
Each Fire Kids Edition tablet comes with a Kid-Proof Case and a 2-year worry-free guarantee, giving parents peace of mind and kids freedom to play.
Easy-to-use parental controls
Manage and customize your kids' experience with up to four individual child profiles. Set bedtime curfews and employ tighter controls on screen time and content. With Learn First, you can block access to videos and games until educational targets, such as reading goals are met. Parents can exit Amazon FreeTime using a passcode to get full access to all tablet features including settings, apps, and Alexa in the adult profile. While in Amazon FreeTime, kids do not have access to social media, the internet or Alexa, and they can't make in-app purchases without parental approval.
Kid-safe browser
The web browsing experience keeps out the inappropriate content by using Common Sense Media’s and our own expertise to hand-select tens of thousands of websites and web videos. Parents can also easily add more websites.
A case designed to protect against big drops
The Kid-Proof Case is designed to be the perfect solution for parents who need worry-free protection against drops, bumps, and the typical mayhem caused by kids at play. Designed to be durable and lightweight, the Kid-Proof Case fits perfectly in their hands without adding unnecessary weight to the Fire tablet.
If they break it, return it and we'll replace it. No questions asked.
We all know accidents happen. The 2-year worry-free guarantee includes coverage for anything that happens to your Fire tablet. Just return the tablet and we’ll replace it for free.
Best selection of hits kids love
Fire 7 Kids Edition includes a year of Amazon FreeTime Unlimited at no additional cost. Amazon FreeTime Unlimited offers books, movies, and TV shows. Titles are age-appropriate for kids from 3-12.
Introducing Spanish language books, videos, games, and more
Amazon FreeTime Unlimited now includes more than a thousand Spanish-language titles. Kids can enjoy books, videos, apps, and games in Spanish with popular characters and titles like Sesamo, Dora, and Sonic the Hedgehog and brands like Nickelodeon, Disney, and more. Kids also have access to kid-friendly, hand-curated websites and videos in Spanish.
Customize what they can see
Age Filters ensure that your child sees only age-appropriate content. Parents can add content to their child’s profile to give them access to more, like Netflix, YouTube or Minecraft in FreeTime mode.
Discover content (and soon, Audible audiobooks) in FreeTime Unlimited through Parent Dashboard. See child activity and manage settings that include adding content from your personal library and more. Discussion Cards help parents start conversations and connect with kids about these titles.
My three-year old loves it. We got him one just before a trip and it was perfect to keep him occupied. The Freetime is great as all the apps are age appropriate and no need to worry an app is not appropriate (the most frustrating thing with other tablets in downloading an app that is too advanced and my kid getting frustrated). The case is thick yet lite, perfect weight and size for his little hands (and nice to know it has a replacement warranty).
I ordered two of these for my boys ages 2 and 4. We don't do a lot of screen time but I bought these to replace our DVD player in the car that recently bit the dust. DVD players seem to cost about as much as these did, so we decided to get these so they could do more than watch movies.
I love the Freetime!! Love it. My oldest little boy has recently gotten into minecraft and could play all day. I love being able to easily limit him without having to fight him on it. He knows when his time is up it is up.
I love that you can easily control the content they see. Most everything I've seen so far is kid friendly. I extensively went through it before giving them to my kids. I found just a few things I didn't want them to have access to and removed it.
I love that they can be sitting in the back seat and I don't have to worry about them getting into a weird YouTube channel or anything.
The case is great. Lightweight but very sturdy.
I also love the access to books! We've recently moved and our book box somehow has been lost in the depths of our garage. So we have been reading the same 6 books for weeks. I think we read that many new ones just this morning.
I'm still learning and figuring it out. And will try to update this review as I learn more
The apps don't shut off when you hit the power button. This is a bug that can easily be fixed, but until then our kiddo inadvertently drains the battery because of it. Otherwise it's perfect!
My daughter is 1 yes old and she loves it. It is so easy to use. And the over night shipping was great since we where on vacation when I brought it.
Update (Same day):
Amazon called me within a couple of hours of making this post & is replacing the device since it's still under its 2-year warranty. I had no idea about the warranty, which is fantastic if you think about how much kids beat these up, & have modified my review to reflect that (they didn't ask me to). While the power connector issue is a real one, they took extensive notes on our call to be given to their development team. I don't doubt they'll get it sorted in a future model & for the interim, the warranty they offer makes this a pretty solid purchase - not to mention the fantastic customer service. If only all companies took such a proactive approach...
PROS:
* 2-year replacement warranty!
* The device itself, when working, is great.
* FreeTime allows the kids to download whatever games/apps they'd like from the Amazon library.
* The silicone/rubber exterior does what it's supposed to & protects the device from your standard drops, scratches, etc.
* The kids love it
CONS:
* No SD expansion slot
* The device will eventually stop holding a charge, even if the power connector port hasn't been physically/visibly damaged.
Original Review:
This is our 3rd Fire, & 3rd time we've had the issue of it deciding to randomly no longer hold a charge. This wasn't preceded by a drop, power outage/surge, a breakage of the charge port or "act of God" - you just wake up one day & it's bricked. I know for a fact it's not power outlet related because this has happened in 2 houses, & we've always run the chargers off an APS. Our other 2 Fires weren't used by the kids & have the exact same issue. None of the devices made it a year before encountering this problem.
Our son's just broke & while I want to replace it since he loves it so much - I can't justify the expense again. Until Amazon addresses (publicly) & fixes the issue, we'll be buying our devices elsewhere. It's a shame because these have real potential. I don't mind paying $100+/yr for my Prime membership but I'm not going to pay another $100+ to replace a faulty device.
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