Fire-Kids Or I-pad MINI

I wouldn't go with either :)
My kids love minecraft and other games. I gave them the choice of iPad minis or iPod touches. We went to the Apple store to try them out, and they chose iPod touches over minis. They said that it was too hard to hold the mini and reach the controls for the games with their thumbs. The minis are easy for adults to handle, but not so easy for kids.

If you aren't so interested in games, but really want to read and watch videos/movies, then I'd go with the full size iPad to really see the videos and/or text.

Either way, get an Otterbox so it won't break if dropped.

We have Kindle Fires for the kids. I love that I can check out ebooks from the public library and Amazon store (I'm a prime member) for their kindles, and the parental controls are great. They also watch Netflix and Amazon Prime videos with them and I have been pleased with the video quality. We got refurbished Kindles for them and they come with the same warranty as new. We did have one problem with the battery on my son's Fire HD, but they replaced it, no problem. Amazon's customer service is great.
I honestly think it comes down to a personal choice. We have android phones and, while I have owned Apple devices, I'm personally not an Apple person. When it boils down to it, Apple devices are just pricey for children my kids' age. I'd rather save $100 and go with the Kindle.

We have an iPad air and an iPad 2nd gen for our kiddos to use. The mini is kinda small for littles .... Our kiddos are 4 and nearly 2. Both iPads are in a LifeProof case and the kids have specific times they are allowed to use them. When it's not time to use them, they stay in our room. The 4 yo has been using the 2nd gen iPad since he was 2. It has been dropped multiple times and has survived easily because of the case. We gave him the Air for his birthday .... Defintely check out the last version, rather than the latest. Refurbished through Apple or Best Buy also lowers the cost. We bought the Air as open box at Best Buy. There are a ton of educational games and I maintain control over all the settings.

All of our school divisions are using iPads and iPad Mini's now, so that is what makes sense for us to have at home. What do your kids use in school (or what will they use in school)?

I like the ipad mini. I have a ipad 2nd gen and my son has the mini. I prefer his mini. I like apple because we have itunes and iphones. They are all compatible together but if my phones were android then I would probably like a tablet compatible with that. Both have what you are looking for, now its just time to think about overall what you prefer, apple/android. He will like either. Just make sure you get a good case.

For me to buy the Leap frog stuff would be too expensive because I have to buy for 2 kids, but for one I don't think it would be too bad. Plus they have all the stuff my kids would want, Paw Patrol, Transformer Rescue-bots and things like that.

We have the original Kindle for our kids (6 and 3). I don't even think it's a Fire. (My husband has a Fire for himself). My kids love it but they don't know any different. If you do get it there are some good games from Duck Duck Moose, Bugs and Buttons is another one my kids like and Toca Builder. I think these games each cost about $2.99 each

I think the ipad will have more selection of games.

We have apple products here. They all share the games, etc. they download. I just figured if we have all have apple, it makes it easier (my son just got a iphone too).

My kids like playing games on their ipod Touches - nice size to hold, take around etc.

They both got ipad minis this year for birthdays and helped pay for them. That's what they would take to school. In middle school, my eldest uses it to research stuff online, and play math games the teacher assigns etc.

My youngest can navigate my Ipad (full size) easily.

I would say ipad mini for books etc. We have overdrive which lets us download books from the library for free.

Depending on the age of your children you may also want to consider a Nabi. It won't really allow you to watch netflix, etc. but they are VERY durable, aren't that expensive, and have some pretty good features. (My son got one from grandma when he was 2yrs old)

My kids have both - the iPads get used ALL the time and I haven't seen the Kindles in some time. We will probably sell them when we find them.

We went with the full-size iPads for them for movies, gaming, and reading. They play a lot of games for school on them too, so the bigger screen is nicer.

Our kids were 6, 8, and 10 when they got their iPads for Christmas. No issue with them, they are responsible with them (in Otter boxes), and they use them with respect. We don't regret getting them the iPads for one second.

If you can afford it, but the ipad mini! I have the ipad and love it. We bought 3 kindles (Fire HD) for the kids. I wanted the ipad minis, but the cost was just too much. I wish we would have bit the bullet. I do not like the kindles at all:(

Ipad mini. My girls have been playing with them for I think 2 years. So since they where 5 and 4. My son has his full size ipad for 4 years ! We've had no issues with it. We've done ebook book learning apps and general entertainment. Also I'd say a Mini is easy for a 4 year old and up to hold and use the buttons. Get the a hard core case.

My boys both had an iPod Touch to start with. I bought Otterbox cases and they are still going strong after 4 years. This year we bought them each a Samsung Galaxy Tab 4. They are 12 and 13. I wouldn't have purchased tablets for them 4 years ago. The Touch was perfect.

In retrospect, instead of the Apple branded product, I wish I had gotten them a small Android tablet or mini. There are so many more free games and apps in the Google Play store than on iTunes.

We have an iPad mini (it's mine but my daughter usually takes it over). I like that there are so many options for educational apps (some free and some not) and games. I would think that the iPad is something your child can grow with. I'm not sure about the Kindle Fire (I don't have one), but I think you can get some of the apps like Netflix.

I forgot to add that there is a Kindle app for the iPad.

Ipad mini. Both my 4 year old and 20 month old love it.