Being Mrs C

An insight into the things in life that make me smile

VTech InnoTab – Review

Little Miss C and I were both absolutely thrilled to be asked to review a VTech InnoTab by the wonderful people at Cuthberts Toys. LMC has always loved technology and like many children picks things up naturally, especially when she has seen adults using iPhones, laptops and iPads. 

The InnoTab is a fantastic bit of technology, all wrapped up in a super child-proof case. Featuring a 5"colour touchscreen and coming with loads of applications already loaded it is bound to keep any child occupied and entertained. There is a mix of games, animated books, drawing and painting applications as well as utility things like a calendar, contacts and a calculator.

InnotabGame

It is also possible to download or buy additional applications and games. The InnoTab comes with a USB cable to connect it to your computer and there is also an SD slot as you need to purchase a separate SD card if you want to download games and applications so that they can be stored on it.

It's fair to point out that the InnoTab is aimed at children aged 4 to 9 years, meaning that LMC is younger than the recommended age range, but she was still able to get a huge amount of out it and in the couple of months that she has been testing it I have been amazed at how much more she has learnt to do on it. The eReader has become a firm favourite, as has Art Studio, a drawing application.

InnoTabDrawing

If you've ever used an iPad it is very very hard not to try to compare the InnoTab to it. It's a very unfair comparison to make especially when you consider the price difference between the two. Stood on its own the InnoTab really is quite remarkable, but even when LMC saw it for the first time she called it and iPad and tried to find her favourite In The Night Garden app which her grandparents have on their iPads for her.

The InnoTab's user interface is a bit clunkier though and it's processor is not as fast as that as an iPad, meaning that LMC did try telling it to "hurry up" when it was loading applications! The InnoTab's physical design is far better suited to children as despite LMC's destruction testing of throwing it across our living room mid-tantrum it is physically still intact. If you could afford to buy your child an iPad (and to repair it every time it was thrown across the room!) then I'm sure that would be the thing to do, but realistically the InnoTab is an amazing toy and learning experience for children.

InnotabDraw2

One feature that I did really like was that you can put photos and videos on an SD card and then view them on the InnoTab. LMC loves looking at photos of herself on my iPhone and she was so excited to be able to see the same photos when I loaded them on to her InnoTab for her. For younger children this is an ideal way of keeping them amused, but it can be a bit hard for little fingers to swipe through photos and it certainly doesn't do so as smoothly as an iPad does.

There is no doubt that LMC has tested the InnoTab as much as she possibly can in the last couple of months. It's true to say that if there is any way to break something then most children will try to find it and I thought LMC had succeeded when she came over to be with the InnoTab and I read this on its screen one day…

InnotabCrash

I'm delighted to say that the age-old engineering trick of turning it off and back on again sorted the problem and no matter how much both LMC and I tried we were unable to replicate the problem again.

Overall I think that the InnoTab would make an amazing gift for any child. The things you can do with it are endless and there is plenty of scope for extensions via either downloads or physical purchases. It also teaches children both through the games and apps, and in terms of using the technology itself. I'm delighted that LMC had the opportunity to review this one.

InnoTabPink

Disclaimer

One VTech InnoTab was provided as a prize by the lovely people at Cuthberts Toys. Cuthberts is an independent toy shop with physical shops in St Albans, Letchworth and the Hatfield Galleria, as well as an online shop on their website. We were also given an InnoTab for this review.

Comments

  5. Maya Russell says

    Looks like a really great toy. I’d love to win one. I’d save it up to give as a present.

  14. Sharne Stiggants says

    Fab give-away, my two toddlers keep looking at this in our local Toy shop. Liked on Facebook already and following on twitter @stiggants

  21. sarah clegg says

    always on the lookout for educational toys and this looks fab! i would absolutely love to win this for my daughter

  28. cheryl kean says

    also followin on twitter @madjakel
    and facebook cheryl price kean

  31. ian henderson says

    this really is so like the ipad, a great idea for the little ones and i know 2 who would love this

  33. Kerry Brown says

    love it! i dont care if its a girly colour, im sure my boy would love it!

  37. Tracy Hanley says

    Looks like a great Educational toy , my grandaughter would love it

  39. katie walters says

    would love to win this, great prize. i already follow cuthberts toys on facebook

  40. claire bailey says

    have liked and followed cuthburts for a long time now!! love reading their updates. xx

  42. Faye Mace says

    Would love one of these for my little lady.
    I follow Cuthberts Toys and Games on Facebook.

  43. claire bailey says

    brilliant review. i have been ummmmming and arrrrring over one of these for my 4 year old son since christmas. reading your review has made me decide it is something i will be purchasing (if i dont win the comp that is!!)

  44. abby bookham says

    Super prize, with 3 little girls this would be perfect.
    Thanks!
    Abby

  51. Tanya barker says

    This is so fab my 2yr old nicks her sisters all the time and I so want to get her one but just don’t have the penny’s at the moment so winning this would make her day

  54. Victoria leedham says

    Would love one of these! Think my little two would love it! X

  55. laura pyper says

    looks fab!!!! great review will need to put this on my little girls birthday list

  59. anna says

    i would love one of these for my boys (dont think they would mind the pink they would still enjoy it lol)

  68. Sandra Lane says

    This lovely girly pink vtech would be much appreciated by my little niece.

  73. claire woods says

    I would love to win one as I’m sure it would keep my son entertained for a while!

  77. sarah Jessica says

    I love the InnoTab, there seems to be a lot of great things on it!

  92. sophietrinder@rocketmail.com says

    Wow, what a lovely prize, just what is needed for my 4 year old stuck indoors with all of this rain 🙂

  93. sophietrinder@rocketmail.com says

    I am following @Cuthberts_Toys on Twitter (@SophieDophieT)

  94. sophietrinder@rocketmail.com says

    I have Liked Cuthberts Toys & Games on Facebook
    (Sophie Trinder)
    Thanks!!

  100. Alexis Pettie says

    I’m loving this! The kids might play on that and leave me and my iPad alone lol Good review to, and a fab prize, thanks x

  101. Alexis Pettie says

    I’m loving this! The kids might play on that and leave me and my iPad alone lol Good review to, and a fab prize, thanks x Forgot to say following on twitter and tweeted comp @alexis1976 and liked on Facebook as well as sharing x

  109. sueseaman1@hotmail.co.uk says

    what a fab prize, winning this would make me aunti number one x

  111. mywaypkb@aol.com says

    MY DAUGHTERS WOULD LOVE THIS GREAT PRIZE.
    HAVE ALWAYS LIKED AND SHARED ON FACEBOOK

  112. catherine beckett says

    Wow this looks great, if i dont win then its definately on the xmas list x

  113. catherine beckett says

    I`m not on twitter (yet) but already liked on facebook xxx

  115. hayley payton says

    wow fab competition x i wanted 1 for a xmas pressie but it was sold out everywhere so got my fingers crossed for this x

  116. Diane says

    These tech toys are brilliant, not only do they help familiarise young kids with gadgetry, and lets face it it’s a gadget world, but they are also about 100 x worth of fun games in one all in a compact space with no bits to lose. Kids learn with these and they dont even realise it. It’s a win win.

  122. Caroline Williams says

    This would be a fantastic gift for my 5 year old daughter, Thankyou for a great competition 🙂
    Like on Facebook
    Follow on twitter @cazwil27

  124. Liz Robinson says

    I have two little boys who would love this! great competition – many thanks!

  128. Tracy K Nixon says

    I would love this for my youngest daughter! She feels left out because her older sister and two brothers have games consoles that are too hard for her to play! This would be perfect!

  130. Tracy K Nixon says

    I am already a fan of Cuthberts Toys on Facebook Tracy K Nixon

  131. Louise Connor says

    Following on Facebook now. This looks a great item for my 3 year old to play with and also help her to learn new skills…… Great prize

  139. Jacky Cole says

    This looks brilliant and could save the relationship between father and son. My son is very determined to get his hands on my husbands iphone! Liked on FB.

  140. Karen Carpenter says

    Great review thanks, my DD (also an LMC…!) has a Storio which is fab but I’m thinking about the next more grown up thing. Only thing I find with the Storio is that I have to remove the batteries when not in use, otherwise they continue to run down. Off to follow Cuthbert’s on Facebook & Twitter!

  142. Karen Carpenter says

    Now following @cuthberts_toys and @mrsc on Twitter as Karen1Carpenter

  144. Jo Boyd says

    Great little gadget – allowing them to learn about today’s technology without the dangers that letting them loose on a ‘proper’ computer can pose.

  149. bubbleybooboo@yahoo.co.uk says

    This is a fab competition and my daughter would love this. would save her wanting to play the games on my mobile!!

  152. gemma blake says

    this looks fab! my niece would love it, shes always trying to get her mums phone!

  155. steve thomas says

    Fantastic prize, fantastic device, my son would be over the moon!

  156. Alice says

    I really useful way for children to get used to technology and have fun. I would love to win this for my daughter.

  157. Zoe G says

    This looks great, my daughter who is 4 is very quick with technology. She amazes me at times.

  158. Jill Webb says

    Looks like fun and a great way for Kids to learn how to use modern technology

  165. Christine Matthews says

    Would be great for my little nephew, he’s all creative and willing to learn atm so would be ideal. Thanks for a great giveaway.x

  166. Carrie Brimmell says

    My little boy is such a little techie already. He’d love this!

  169. Joanne Baldwin says

    My daughter has been pestering me for an innotab for ages, would be brill to win!

  180. Hilda Hazel Wright says

    Thanks for the competition! I would love to play with this errm I mean I’d love to win this for my grandaughter!

  181. Hilda Hazel Wright says

    I’m already following Cuthberts Toys on facebook. @WrightyH

  214. Katie M says

    this would suit my grandson so much. He loves to try and play with my laptop

  222. nichola armstrong says

    I have liked on facebook and following on twitter as nicholaarmo. My little girl would love this, thank you for the chance x

  223. Georgina Foote says

    These look great. My daughter uses my iPad occasionally, but its risky business when toddler hormones can cause irrational rage and the want to chuck it half way across the living room. She needs one of this ASAP! She loves painting and generally learning through all these touchscreens. iPhone is yet another hit with her in our house. It’s a technological generation!

  227. Susie M says

    Lovely to have something for the little on that’s her own “‘pooter” (and keep her away from the iPad!).

  234. NATALIE GOATLEY says

    Great giveaway. Thank you so much. My daughter would love this.

  244. Sarah Ballantyne says

    Please add my name to the draw. My niece came for a visit last month and brought her InnoTab and my daughter loved it – I was amazed how much she could do on it. My second baby is due at the end of May and I’m sure the InnoTab would be perfect for C to cuddle up with me on the sofa and she can play while I feed the baby.

  245. Sarah Ballantyne says

    I am following @Cuthberts_Toys on twitter (@rugbylovingmum)

  246. Sarah Ballantyne says

    I follow Cuthberts Toys & Games on Facebook (Sarah Jane Ballantyne).

  247. Ian Goodyear says

    I know it is cheeky but can I have three please do stop my children fighting over it?

  253. steve holman says

    looks like a great idea to keep the kids quiet.
    following you on twitter (@stevescomp)

  255. Duncan says

    pink or not, my 2.5 year old son would love it!!! he keeps using our ipad, so having his own would mean the world to him 🙂

  258. Michele Elton says

    What a great review. My daughter keeps looking at these in Toys R Us, I would love to win one for her please.

  260. Michele Elton says

    I have liked Cuthberts Toys on Facebook.
    Fab comp – thank you xx

  263. Elaine P says

    Forgot to say Thank you for the competition, what a fabulous prize and in pink too 🙂

  265. Kelly Reeves says

    I’ve liked Cuthberts on Facebook 🙂 Looks like a fab product, my little girl would love one of these 🙂

  266. Steven Lee says

    What a great prize, would love to share it with my niece and nephew

  268. M Evans says

    Fab prize. GOODLUCK ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

  269. mariel pereira says

    Fab competition – would really love to win this for my children

  271. Nathalie Taylor says

    Following on Twitter as @nathalietaylor7 and liked on Facebook 🙂

  273. Helen says

    Fantastic prize, I would love to win this for my niece who is just 3 and would love her own child friendly laptop and save me cleaning all the sticky fingers that end up on mine, ha ha

  284. JoC says

    This is brilliant…there’s nothing a kid like more than sticking their mucky paws over all over tv or computer screens – so what better than to give them there own to practice on? 😉

  285. hannah staveley says

    This looks amazing would be fab for my daughter and her learning problems .xxx

  296. Arabella Bazley says

    Sounds like a great introduction to the world of technology!

  298. Arabella Bazley says

    And I already follow Cuthberts on Facebook, Arabella Bazley. Many thanks and kind regards.

  299. Rebecca says

    Love the look of the Innotab…. I think Isabella may face some competition from her Daddy on who’s turn it is!

  300. Rebecca says

    I also ‘Liked’ Cuthberts Toys on Facebook… and liked them when I went in to the shop this morning 🙂

  301. kelly dutton says

    This looks fab and it might mean I get my iPod touch back hehe!
    @kellywd

  331. LESLEY RENSHAW says

    My daughter turns 4 years old around Christmas time so I’d love to give her this prize as a present. Not only would she love playing with it but it’s an excellent educational tool.

  338. Hannah Beadle says

    These look great my little boy is getting so interested in this sort of thing 🙂

  341. Laura Sanderson says

    The kids are going to know so much more about electricals than we do!

  345. Sarah martin says

    I would love to win one of these top aid my sons development 🙂

  347. Sarah martin says

    I have liked Cutherberts Toys on Facebook as Sarah moley martin

  358. rachelfenneycomp@hotmail.co.uk says

    Looks like a lovely prize. I think my son would love it x

  359. Elaine Kidd says

    I can’t believe that when I was little a Square being batted betweel two lines seemed so great. I sound like an old granny, better get back to my knitting before anyone realises.

  366. k walsh says

    Now this is the sort of thing I know Id be ‘trying out’ for hours too 🙂

  368. Tiffany Spence says

    I have also liked Cuthberts Toys on Facebook as Tiffany Spence

  369. Victoria Davis says

    I would love to enter, I have never managed to see one to play with, wanted to buy one for my daughter at Christmas but could not buy one anywhere 🙁 thank you for running this fantastic giveaway. I am following on Facebook and twitter #vharbourne

  375. A Chandler says

    My son would love this! He loves my iPad, I fear for it’s survival :-/

  380. Sharon McGuinness says

    This toy is robust, a gentle introduction into gaming, education and computers. Ideal for the age range. My daughter would love this. Fingers crossed and good luck everyone xx

  406. Debbie Louise Davies says

    Fantastic prize, my little un would love one of these! xx

  408. Karen Colquhoun says

    Have liked in facebook and twitter @hunnycat
    lovely prize 🙂

  411. sharron page says

    My daughter keeps on begging me for one of these but I can’t afford it at the moment. It would be the best surprise present ever for her if I win.

  415. sharon woodruff says

    WOW….would loveeeeeeeeeee one of these for my daughter.. shes 4 in july and this would be perfect for her… her older brother and sister both have ds’s so she feels a bit left out… XXXX

  416. sharon woodruff says

    liking cuthberts toys on facebook as sharon gutteridge woodruff xxxxx

  420. Catherine Miller says

    This looks great and a brilliant subsitute for the iPad so they don’t mess with dad’s!

  424. Katherine M Penny says

    Following on Twitter (@katster10)
    Fab prize!! My daughter would love this 😀

  428. Hayley Todd says

    Wow, what a fantastic competition! My little one would love this!

  432. Sarah Redfern says

    My son would love one of these, might keep his dirty hands off my phone aswell………lol x

  436. Mandy Roberts says

    Oooh this looks fab, my Grandsons would love it! I am following on Twitter @piggylady29 and have liked your lovely FB page too, thank you x

  443. Claire Nelson says

    I always think these look great when I see them and your review confirms that!

  446. Kelly Hooper says

    Thank you for an amazing giveaway, please include me in the draw @lilysmum2008

  448. Kelly Hooper says

    already a fan of cuthbery toys on twitter and facebook @lilysmum2008

  449. E Lawrence says

    My daughters best friend got one of these for Christmas and now she really want one as well!

  456. sue willshee says

    Wow! What a brilliant prize – my two would love this!
    I had to smile at your comment about thinking it was broken. I used to work in IT and I had a t shirt that said ‘have you tried turning it off and on again?’
    When anyone came to me to say they had a problem I used to point to my t shirt and it always made people smile (and 9 times out of 10 it worked 😉 @piperanddaisy

  457. sue willshee says

    already a fan of Cuthberts Toys and Games on facebook as sue willshee @piperanddaisy

  473. Troy McCarthy says

    About time V tech moved on to colour displays I am more impressed with this product than many of their older products.. Thats a fact. Also touchscreen looks very neat …

  482. Gillian Holmes says

    Cuthberts Toys & Games I like your Facebook page as Gillian Holmes

  486. Lisa says

    This looks totally fab and great for little inquisitive fingers. No need for little ones to be left out when mum or dad are on the laptop and then we wont have to keep saying please don’t touch.

  488. MICHELLE BAMBER says

    Fab prize things have certainly come a long way since I was a kid I suppose his is the modern day equivalent of the Etch A sketch:D

  491. MICHELLE BAMBER says

    Also liked Cuthberts Toys & Games on Facebook
    Michelle B Bamber

  497. Maria Knight says

    Please enter me into this amazing prize draw. I have a two year old who would grow up with this very nicely 🙂

  508. Robyn Logan Clarke says

    This looks like lots of fun, my gecky husband would love to have this for our son to play with.

  513. James Donovan says

    Hi i would like to be included in the competition
    my twitter name is @jimmyadon05

  515. Cheryll H says

    My girls are always trying to pinch my iPad so one of these would be great – would definately save a lot of grey hairs anyway! 🙂 @pipersky1

  517. Cheryll H says

    I already like like Cuthberts Toys & Games on Facebook 🙂 @pipersky1

  518. Laura Barrett says

    Great prize. Enter me please! Follow on facebook as Laura Ward-Jones Barrett

  532. JACKIE says

    WOULD LOVE TO WIN THIS FOR MY GRAND DAUGHTER WOULD REALLY REALLY LOVE IT

  537. Olivia B says

    What a wonderful educational toy.. Would love this! Thanks for the fab giveaway 🙂

  544. Dave @Meks666 says

    Its a tablet pc for kids… might mean they will leave mine alone if i won! lol

  550. linda curtis says

    i would love this to play with my grandson when he stays over
    from mrs c !

  551. mand24472@aol.com says

    looks sturdy and great fun my little grandaughter would love one

  552. Mandy Waller says

    Fantastic review thanks, liked on facebook, my daughter would love this as she loves a challenge and this seems to have loads to do

  554. Leigh Larkin says

    Lovely prize! It is truly scary how quickly children pick up new gadgets!

  562. Else Hepburn says

    What an excellent product – fun, educational and entertaining – a smart device for kids!

  576. Rachel Vass says

    What a great learning tool – this would be very useful in my house! Thanks for a great competition.

  579. Teresa Measures says

    Great Prize, followed on twitter @stresbringer & Facebook Micky Ricketts

  588. Jo Maxted says

    already following on fb…following on twitter @jo4chelsea
    My daughter would love this…another excellent competition xxx

  594. Joanne Blunt says

    This looks really good. My boys do like the iPad but I would prefer them to have something of their own and this feels like a safer option.

  597. Abi R says

    Oh wow, this would definitely get me back the use of my iPod as my 3yo seems to think it is purely for her entertainment! I had an iPad for a short time and she adored that too! She’s definitely a techie lol

  618. Lesley Bain says

    Anything that would make my wee girl all happy thinking she had her very own ipad is a great idea in my book 🙂
    Great competition and review thank you 🙂

  630. Pinzog says

    Liked on Facebook too! (L Park on FB, forgot to mention twitter feed is @Parkotwit.)
    Thanks for the comp!

  638. joy dehany says

    Hiya, lovely blog, I have liked you on FB and commented on there. The prize is lovely and I am after one of these for my little Rosie. THank you for running the competition.

  643. Joy Dehany says

    me again…forgot to say I like Cuthberts on FB…going a bit mad. it’s late. And I think I have found and like you on FB…Not sure if I have it right yet so will double check.

  644. Laura Williams says

    My little one would truly LOVE this! 🙂 perfect little gadget to keep entertained and boost learning!
    Thanks for the chance to win such a generous prize!

  650. Mark Pitch says

    Looks Great would love one for my daughter as and IPAD is far too expensive for a “Toy”

  651. Kim turner says

    Wow exciting, just Looking at one for my son for our holiday coming in July! Fingers toes crossed :0)

  661. Lesley says

    My niece would love this! She would think she was just like her mummy using the iPad 🙂

  663. Charlotte Jones says

    Fab giveaway, thank you! My 2 year old would love this! 🙂

  665. Charlotte Jones says

    And already like Cuthberts Toys & Games on facebook 🙂
    (@charlotte_jones)

  667. Frank Blades says

    I know a little girl who would just LOVE one of those:)
    {also follow @Cuthberts_Toys on Twitter and liked Cuthberts Toys & Games on Facebook}

  674. Sarah Jane Jones says

    It is lovely to read such a detailed review. One of these sounds perfect for my daughter. We will both keep our fingers and toes crossed! Thank you for running the competition.

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