When it's time for a family trip, kids can get bored and cranky very fast. While books and games can hold their attention for an hour or so, the real secret to keeping your kids from throwing tantrums and continuously asking, "Are we there yet?" lies in the palm of their hands. This magical device is a personal video player. Once an adult gadget, video players now cater to the needs of children. Plus, they come with accessories such as headphones, allowing you to get to your destination in peace and quiet.
Personal Players
If you're in search of a personal DVD player for your child, you might want to know what he or she likes. If your daughter is a fan of Hannah Montana, she will probably enjoy the Hannah Montana Mix Max, which plays music, videos, and games. However, you should always make sure the video player is easy to use. You want a player that is simple with clearly labeled buttons. Remember, personal video players give children a sense of freedom, and they will become frustrated if they can't figure out how to play a video. There are video players for children as young as three years old, so choose wisely.
* '''Personal VideoNow Player''': Kids can watch and listen to their favorite shows on a two-inch black and white LCD screen. The VideoNow player even comes with a sampler disc featuring clips of favorite kids' shows.
* '''SpongeBob 1GB Media Player''': This player comes with preinch color screen, 15 hours of audio playback, and the software can be upgraded.
* '''Playstation Portable''': Although the Playstation Portable (PSP) is on the pricey side, it's great for older children who have outgrown kiddie games, shows, and movies. The PSP plays movies, music, video games, and can even connect to the Internet. How cool is that?
Accessories
When you're buying a kids' video player, the number one accessory you must purchase are headphones, which keep the noise level way down. Video players also come with adapters and chargers in case the battery dies while others include USB cables for downloading shows and movies from a computer. Smaller players may have carrying cases to prevent scratches or busted screens.
