VTech Innotab 2 Learning Tablet Review

You’ve probably noticed by now that we’re a pretty tech-friendly family. I enjoy gadgets & technology and encourage my son to use them as well- in moderation. I also like to make sure that he’s not rotting his brain while he plays so I get him educational games & apps, and I do limit his playing time as well.

One of Shane’s newest gadgets is the VTech Innotab 2 Learning Tablet! He calls it “Shane’s iPad” & loves to play with it. Right now it only has a couple of games on it because it’s new to us but he has been playing the games that came with it for two weeks now & hasn’t gotten bored yet!

When you first get the Innotab 2, it comes with a few apps already installed. Because the tablet is for ages 3-9, some are too old for Shane {who is 3} like the calculator, calendar, and clock. But even though they’re too old for him, they’re still nice to have so that he can play with them & get used to seeing them, which will make it that much easier when he’s old enough to learn about them. There are some that he can use on his own already, like the camera, e-reader, video recorder, music player, photo viewer, and art studio. The Innotab 2 also comes with one cartridge, which includes an e-book called “What’s That Noise?”, a learning game called Alien Rescue & an art game called Color & Pop.

When you connect your Innotab 2 to the computer & open the Learning Lodge program, you can keep track of your child’s progress as well as download new games, books and apps. Your purchase includes 2 free downloads- I was having issues with the Learning Lodge {totally my computer’s fault} so I was only able to download one so far- a motion game called Face Race that Shane is obsessed with! He loves that it uses a photo of him for the character’s face, and since it’s a motion game he loves tilting the device too much & making the character fall off the tight rope. He knows he’s playing it wrong, but he thinks it’s hilarious, which very much says “three year old” to me.

Some of the fun features of the Innotab 2 include a built-in microphone and a rotating camera that allows you to photograph either yourself or your surroundings. Shane is a huge fan of the camera feature on any device, and this one is no different. He enjoys rotating the camera to different angles- we have several pictures of the ceiling. It allows him to learn about space and how to point the camera where he wants it and how to focus on the item he’s trying to capture. The tablet also has a built-in kickstand for easy viewing and a 5” screen to go with it.

I like the design of the back of the Innotab 2- the cartridges fit into the side where there’s a hole, rather than jutting out past the tablet. This makes me feel more secure that he’s not going to break it if he drops it since it’s not hanging off the side. I also like that there’s a place for the stylus, but I wish the stylus was attached since he has a tendency to take it out & forget to put it away. Luckily, an extra one is included so you can keep it on hand for when your child loses theirs.

While the Innotab 2 only holds 2GB, you can add an SD memory card up to 32GB {not included} to store all of your child’s apps, music, books, etc. If you’d rather just use the 2GB, you can use the Learning Lodge software to select which apps, etc. are on the system at any given time.

Additional accessories for the Innotab include the rechargeable battery kit {a steal at $17.99}, a car adaptor for $9.99 & an A/C adaptor, also $9.99.

Buy It: You can pick up the Innotab 2 at stores like Kmart, Toys R Us, Walmart, & Target or online at Amazon.com or vTech.com. Prices may vary but the MSRP is $79.99.

What is your child’s favorite gadget?

Note: I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for VTech. I received product samples to facilitate my review.