If you’ve been thinking about an iPhone or iPod Touch, or already have one, here’s some pretty cool things you can do that will provide even more value to you as you extend it to your family; I’m talking about making it “kid-friendly”.

ipodtouchI moved from having Palm PDA’s for years to an iPod Touch. The Touch does all the things I needed my T|X to do (wireless, applications, calendar, note taking, etc.) but with a much better web browser, incredibly easy-to-use iTunes integration, and — with using Plaxo — syncing my calendar between work PC and home Mac.

But the apps are what really make this thing kid-friendly. My two and a half year old sees me working on it and says “I play papa game!” He loves to try out the fun of using that touch screen to make things happen. And, as I’ve learned from other parents, having an iPod Touch/iPhone that can hold MOVIES can be PERFECT for long flights, like to Japan! This device has probably helped lower my blood pressure level significantly (no more wandering child, screaming of boredom).

So, here are a couple of great toddler-friendly things for your iPhone or iPod Touch:

Music:
Not surprising that you can get tons of music on iTunes; songs both you and your child will like (Wiggles) or music only they will like (Barney). Find music on Amazon also that works great with these devices.

Movies and TV shows:
Most of the Pixar movies (Cars, Wall-E, Finding Nemo), Disney, and TV shows like Little Einsteins are available for sale in iTunes; very simple to add them right into your device. Prices run from $2/episode to $15/movie.

TubeTV:
is a freeware application for Mac that, when you find a video on Youtube you like, will download, convert, and add it to your device. So, those short clips of Pingu, Anpanman, or even old Spiderman cartoons, can be added for free.

Podcasts:
Podcasts are short shows that iTunes has made incredibly easy to subscribe to. There are podcasts on things for Dad (Dad Labs), Mom (Mighty Mommy’s Tips), and children (Sesame Street) — and, they are all FREE!

Apps:
within iTunes there is an App Store where you can find things like preschool educational games. This company in particular: 3DAL, LLC has great products that my son loves to do; bright, colorful, lively music, and educational, including: Preschool Adventure, Preschool Music, Make a Martian, and BumbleBee Touchbook. Those apps are only $.99 each, so it won’t break your budget too quickly. Often companies will make a free “lite” edition so you can test it — those include Shape Builder Lite and iDoodle2Lite. Other good apps for toddlers include Wheels on The Bus, an interactive version of the popular children’s song, and Koi Pond, nice for both children and adults. Many of the movie studios make an app now that should work well with children: there’s an Up app where the child pops balloons (free) and a free one for Bolt (for slightly older children).

Protection:
we’re talking about a $200+ device that you are leaving in the hands of children — be sure to buy some kind of sleeve, touch-screen or silicon wrap protection for it. There are hundreds of different kinds. A quick visit to an Apple store or online to Amazon and you should be able to find a style that will help protect against small bumps. A $30 investment that might help you if you later want to resell it. (Yep, if they drop it, you could lose it, so, keep an eye on what they are doing — child supervision. ;) )

Anyway, hope that helps; you AND your kids!

(If you live in Honolulu and would like to learn more about your Apple products, check out the Hawaii Mac and Apple User Society: HMAUS.com.)