Kindle for a 9 Year Old?

Updated on January 11, 2012
A.L. asks from Charleston, SC
14 answers

My daughter's birthday is coming up soon, and we were considering a Kindle Fire as she is an avid reader. Have any of you mamas purchased a Kindle (or Nook) for your younger children and if so, did you like it? She has been interested in a Nintendo DSi, but we're thinking that this would enable her to read, play games, and so much more than just another gaming device. Please share your thoughts!

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M.T.

answers from Memphis on

Two things that you need to consider are 1) unrestricted internet access the Fire would provide and 2) email/credit card information. If the Kindle accounts are set up in the same way the Nook account is there must be an email tied to the account. There also must be a credit card tied to the account. It doesn't matter if you only buy the free content there must be a credit card attached to it. Those are the hard questions for the Kindle. I believe the DSi also gives internet access.

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K.P.

answers from Santa Fe on

I wouldn't get one for my kids at this age. My husband just got me a Kindle Fire for Christmas, and while my kids (ages 7 & 5) have enjoyed playing with it (they've discovered the apps, especially Angry Birds), I wouldn't want them to have their own, because of the risks involved. Your daughter may be old enough to be more responsible, and understand that some books and apps cost money, but my kids don't understand that, and I'd be worried that they'd accidentally download expensive books or apps just because they didn't realize they cost money. Also, there is a web application, and you can download a Netflix app so you can watch videos on your Kindle, and there is an Amazon video and music app, so you can purchase things like that, and again, I'm afraid they'd end up spending money without realizing, and/or watching something I don't want them to watch, but I wouldn't know it because they're playing quietly in their room with it.

But, you also have to think what she's going to read on it. Are you prepared to get her not only the Kindle but also books to go with it? Sure, there are a lot of public domain or free books (the original Wizard of Oz books are all public domain), so she can read those w/o paying for them, but many other books you'll have to purchase, and you can't borrow them from the library or purchase them used on your Kindle, which would be a consideration to me (although you may have more money than I do).

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B.

answers from Augusta on

There is no way I'd buy a kindle fire for my 10 yr old.
If anything like this I'd go for one of the generic ones, like the pandigital nova and get the nook reader for it, The software is free to download.

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B.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

Good question. My 9 year old wanted one for Christmas but I nixed that idea because I thought of them only as an electronic book reader. We do not purchase many books (borrow from the library) nor do we typically reread books so I didn't think it was right for us.

Now I wonder if she was more interested in it for the internet hmmm...

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M.D.

answers from Pittsburgh on

My 8 year old daughter put some of her own money toward the purchase of a Kindle Fire and she loves it! We were thinking more of a Nook, so we got her one and she was not as pleased because all she could do was read books. Now that she has the fire, she reads all the time, plays games, listens to music etc. We did cripple the internet on it because we are not ready for her to have free access to that yet. So I say Kindle Fire is a good choice

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N.C.

answers from Dallas on

My 7 and 6 year olds got Fire's for Christmas this year. They were a fantastic purchase!!

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G.B.

answers from Oklahoma City on

My grandkids got Kindle Fires for Christmas, they are 3 and 4. They are able to manage them and play games. As they get older they will be able to add to them and make additions.

The difference between the DSI and the tablets or pads is that many applications are free and games on the DSI each cost about $20.

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S.P.

answers from Birmingham on

Our daughter LOVES my Kindle. There are many free books you can download but for her class reading, even though they have the book in class and bring home for homework reading, she seems to enjoy reading and is faster on the Kindle (anything to encourage reading right!). Her last book cost me about $5 to get it on the Kindle but was totally worth it. She too loves the games she has downloaded. She only does the free games. I love being able to use the internet while she's in gymnastics. The Kindle is really mine, but honestly, she uses it more than me.

M.D.

answers from Washington DC on

My kids are 4, 6, and 8 and they all got Kindle Fire's for Christmas. They are great with them and they have come in handy so many times already.

My 4 year old had to go to the ER and it was great to grab that and have something for him to do while we waited for the doctor.

My 6 year old is reading more because he can pick his books and download them on his own.

My 8 year old is catching up on some movies she wanted to see (she reads ALL THE TIME already).

I can't recommend a better gift than this! (Make sure to get a case and a warranty...so it ends up being around $300).

A.M.

answers from Kansas City on

I've contemplating a Kindle (no fire) for our daughter for her 7th bday coming up this Spring.

She loves to read and the baggie books from school are not cutting it...and she blows through her two library books she gets on Thursday by Friday!

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M.M.

answers from Detroit on

It sounds like a great gift. She will be able to access the internet on it, play games, but the primary focus will still be reading. Yay!

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J.C.

answers from New York on

I think as long as you oversee what she is downloading and monitor your credit card, you'll be fine.

I have a Kindle Fire - it's no iPad but I love it anyway!

M.J.

answers from Milwaukee on

My friend just bought one for her 8 year old. It's a great gift.

L.L.

answers from Rochester on

A friend of mine bought one for her seven year old son for Christmas and he seems to like it...but keep in mind there are a TON of games out there, still. :)

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