V Reader-- Age Appropriateness?

My 3 year old is an avid book "reader" but the V tech is still a bit beyond her. We've had one since she was 2 and she likes to push the buttons occassionally but loses interest quickly. Same thing with the little phonics style computers, she is just now starting to like playing with those regularly. One tip I do have is to find a consignment sale when you're ready to buy those toys, I've bought ours for a couple dollars at most and they usually have piles of them at each one I have gone to. For the long (over 3 hours) car trips we take a magnectic drawing board and portable DVD player. Even though we watch limited TV at home the DVD is a life saver for us on those all day rides.

We've looked at the V Reader for my 3.5 year old and I don't think she'd be able to operate it with out a LOT of help. Kids love to push buttons on anything and everything, but I don't think he'd be able to really "get" what the toy is for. Maybe next year.
This past summer we took a 6 hour trip with my 3 year old and my (at the time) 1 year old. It wasn't nearly as bad as I thought it would be. We had a portable DVD player for my oldest and she watched movies almost the whole way. The baby slept almost the entire time. Just make sure that you're stopping every few hours to stretch and change diapers, unless he's sleeping.
I know a lot of parents that travel in the middle of the night so the kids can sleep in the car. One parent sleeps while the other drives. I don't know if that would work for your family. Personally, it wouldn't work for us.
On car trips you really have to think about what your child is interested in and what he can do on his own. If he likes movies, get a DVD player. If he doesn't, it might be a waste of money. If he likes to color, take crayons. If he doesn't, it's a waste.
Good luck and have a safe drive :)

I would think it might be a little too early for the VReader. My daughter is just turning 4 and she has been a road warrior pretty much since birth. We take lots of long trips, usually just the two of us. I would say the portable DVD player is your best option, you can get one that's around $50-60, don't bother with one of the "baby" ones, just get a real DVD player and something that will let you strap it on to the back of the seat, I wouldn't let him hold it. (I always look for a DVD player that opens up completely flat so it will lay up against the back of the seat).
My trick is just to bring a backpack full of lots of new and very cheap books and toys (even happy meal toys work for 15 minutes or so!) and just keep a steady stream of things for when he gets bored. I usually start out just letting her hang out until she asks for something to do, I try to hold out on the DVD for a couple of hours and use it for when she's starting to get really bored. The color wonder sets and things like that which are mess-free are great for road trips. Also, you will have some nap time and snack time that will help take up some of the time too. And, plan in time for running around at rest stops occassionally - or stopping somewhere that has a playground to eat. I've had to get much more patient with my stops, but it definitely makes her happier in the car when she's had a few minutes to stretch her legs. Good luck!!!

we have purchased it, but my daughter is 6--I am not really sure that he will be able to operate it without ALOT of help from you...When we took longer trips when my girls were around that age, we would take colorwonders, a portable dvd w/baby einstein, lots of things for little ones,(since you don't have one, see if a friend has one you can borrow, but if you are going to be taking trips a few times a year, it is definetly a great investment). Typically if it is greared for 3+ that is a good guide. Good luck with the trip, takes lots of his favorite snacks and his lovey----