Do you remember as a kid you would go back to school each fall feeling like you were in shape from staying active all summer only to find your legs and abs burning after one gym class because you were now using muscles you had neglected during the past few month? Well, that is exactly what happens to your brain, too, and in a phenomenon commonly referred to as Summer Brain Drain.
What is Summer Brain Drain, you ask? According to research from the Center for Summer Learning at Johns Hopkins University, students typically lose one to two months of reading and math skills during the summer break because they are not regularly exercising their brains.
So, how do you combat Summer Brain Drain? You find fun ways to infuse learning into everyday activities to keep kids’ brains sharp even during the three long months of no formal schooling.
But, how can you do that when most of the summer is spent on the go and you don’t want to spend your days cooped up inside reading or in front of screens? You get a portable learning device that can grow with your child, offers age-appropriate content in a broad library of subjects and that keeps them learning no matter where they are.
Something like the awesome InnoTab 2S, the latest learning app tablet from V-Tech that is perfect for on the go as well as at home. We got to review the VTech InnoTab 2S for the past few weeks and we absolutely love how much fun it is for various ages and how it keeps the kids begging to keep learning.
So, what is it that makes the InnoTab 2S so cool? Not only is it ruggedized and kid-tough, it’s also kid approved with grown up features like an MP3 music player, e-reader, and more that can grow with your child from pre-K to middle school.
My kids’ favorite feature is the 180° rotating camera and video recorder with face detection that both kids could spend hours playing with. Whether they are taking fun photos and videos with real-time camera special effects or they are bedazzling pics they have already taken in the art studio, the tablet is an all-in-one masterpiece creator. Since it’s the camera, the storage {you can even connect an SD card for even more photo options}, and the photo viewer as well as the photo editing software it makes it kid-friendly and frustration-free for even the youngest Annie Leibowitz.
Of course, the InnoTab 2S also has a ton of games, books, and activities you can download or buy in stores to really customize the tablet to your child. But, these “games” are really so much more than the simple Pong of Pac Man games we had when I was their age, these are really learning devices that are so fun that the kids have no idea that they are really learning the basics of reading, math, social studies, science, creativity, and problem solving. These games are taken from a wide variety of curriculums developed by experts to help kids learn important concepts at younger ages than ever before.
But, what’s really cool is that the InnoTab 2S goes a step further than most learning tablets with the addition of Wi-Fi capabilities. This feature allows you to wirelessly connect to VTech’s app store, the Learning Lodge, and more, without having to connect the tablet via cable.
We unfortunately can’t get the Innotab 2S to connect to Wi-Fi at home, but I’m excited about utilizing the Wi-Fi capabilities down the road so I can get real-time tracking of my kiddos’ progress through their Learning Lodge Progress Log. I love that I will then know what they are learning and be able to cheer them on when they have reached important milestones.
UPDATE: We were able to connect to Wi-Fi by using a YouTube troubleshooting guide {our problem was the way our Wi-Fi was configured} and we're all in now, which means we can track progress all summer long – woooohoooo!
And, even though our youngest isn’t in school yet, even he was having a blast playing with the tablet, taking pictures, and playing racing games. On our recent multi-generation family trip we got stuck in a 2 hour mountain pass closure and we were in the car the entire time, so having the InnoTab 2S for him was a lifesaver.
The VTech InnoTab 2S Wi-Fi Learning App Tablet comes with 17 ready-to-use apps pre loaded and 2 free downloads that equals hours of educational fun for your kiddo this summer. And, when school is back in session in the fall, and your child seamlessly transitions back to formal schooling, the InnoTab's wide array of over 350 games and downloads can offer amazing supplemental learning to go along with subjects they are studying in school, things you do together as a family, and math and science for ages 3 through 9.
Does your child have a favorite popular character? VTech has a huge variety of characters to choose from such as Mike the Knight, Angelina Ballerina, Team Umizoomi, Dora the Explorer, Thomas & Friends, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Jake & the Neverland Pirates, Sesame Street, Monsters University, Turbo, Planes, and more.
The VTech InnoTab 2S Wi-Fi Learning App Tablet retails for $99.99. It has a 5” color touch screen with direct brightness control and comes in gray (blue) and purple (pink). It requires 4 AA batteries and is compatible with the VTech AC adaptor and car adaptor.
Other hardware/software features include :
- 4 user profiles + 1 guest
- Motion controlled tools in Art Studio
- Photo frame stand
- One-touch Help button
- One touch camera access
- Protective rubber corners
- Parental setting – content lock
- Memory capacity status
- AR game using camera
- 400 Mhz Processor
- 2GB internal memory, expandable to 32GB with memory card slot (card not included)
- 2 styluses with hole for string
To learn more about the InnoTab 2S Wi-Fi Learning App Tablet and all the amazing features to combat Summer Brain Drain, visit the VTech website. You can also follow VTech on Twitter and Facebook to keep up to date on all new product releases and more.
How would you like to win an awesome VTech InnoTab 2S Learning App Tablet this summer?
To Enter: comment below with what feature you love most about the InnoTab 2S
And, as always, there are extra entries available! {Please leave a separate comment for each completed}
2 Extra Entries – Post on your Facebook wall about this awesome VTech InnoTab 2S giveaway {https://raveandreview.com/2013/06/vtech-innotab-2s-wi-fi-tablet-saves-you-from-summer-brain-drain-review-giveaway.html} with extra credit if you tag Rave & Review
1 Extra Entry {per method} – Follow Rave & Review! Subscribe by RSS feed, Subscribe by email, follow on Pinterest, become a fan of R&R on Facebook or add R&R to your blogroll or sidebar.
1 Extra Entry {daily} – Twitter. Retweet this tweet
1 Extra Entry – follow VTech on Facebook
1 Extra Entry – Like @RaveAndReview and @VTechToys on Twitter
1 Extra Entry – Comment love on any post, just leave a comment here as well.
On June 23th at 12:59pm PST a winner will be drawn, announced here and
notified via email. Winner will have 24 hours to contact me or a new
winner will be chosen. Open to US only, 18+
This giveaway is now closed. Thank you to all who entered and a big congrats to Cristi who won the giveaway.
A
big thank you to VTech for providing a VTech tablet to facilitate this review as well as a giveaway to our fabulous readers. As always,
all opinions are 100% ours.
My daughter would love the camera on it. That’s her favorite thing to do is take pictures. The Art Studio sounds pretty cool, too.
Fan of R&R on FB Leah Carty-Blanton
The apps already loaded on it!
I love the camera feature, my son loves to take pictures of everything.
I follow you on Pinterest.
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I like the camera and the Art Studio features.
subscribe to Google Reader
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I retweeted https://twitter.com/mom22girlz/status/346126454444130306
I follow VTech on Facebook.
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I love the camera and the great selection of games. Both my kids would have hours and hours of fun with this.
I like the One-touch Help button and the
One touch camera access
email subscriber
Facebook fan of yours. amy bolda pugmire
Facebook fan of v-tech
tweet
https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/346256416719396864
I love the camera and video recorder!
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Shared on Facebook – Janet Watson
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My favorite feature of the Vtech Innotab 2s is One touch camera access
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Love the camera!
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I love the camera feature, my kids would just love taking pictures of each other!
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I like the one touch camera access.
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I love the camera feature.
tweeted
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retweeted – 6/16
https://twitter.com/raveandreview/status/345992956672622592
We love the video recorder mmalavec(at)med(dot)umich(dot)edu
tweet
https://twitter.com/jwatson50/status/346305360384126976
I love the camera andwifi
I like the durability–this is a great for kids to learn to use technology in a device that is made for kids.
I love that it allows for multiple user profiles.
Thanks for the chance to win!
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2
Not sure that went through but the camera and recorder is something my grandson would love with this
I love that it has a camera!
shared on fb
https://www.facebook.com/#!/julie.ep.14/posts/341624532633195
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I love the One Touch Camera and the Wish List Maker.
I love the touchscreen
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subscribed via rss in Igoogle [email protected]
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my son would love the camera he would have so much fun with this since he always wants my tablet
I love that it comes with 17 apps!
I’m a fan on Facebook
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I retweeted your tweet @getinonthewins
I’m a fan of Vtech toys on Facebook
I’m following you and Vtech toys on Twitter @getinonthewins
tweeted https://twitter.com/mom22girlz/status/346488933351313408
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tweet on 6/17
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I like that it has 17 apps preloaded 🙂
I’m an email subscriber!
I like you on fb
I retweeted!
I like Vtech on fb
I follow both on twitter @babypyo
I like that it comes with 17 ready-to-use apps so they play even if they dont have a cartlidge
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tweet 6/17
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https://twitter.com/raveandreview/status/345992956672622592
retweet 6-17
RT–https://twitter.com/raveandreview/status/345992956672622592
tweeted https://twitter.com/mom22girlz/status/346791847206727680
I like the camera feature
I like vtech on facebook!
https://twitter.com/DEBIJOT/status/346803666310819840
tweeted
https://twitter.com/JenniferCNP/status/346810880912150528
I know my boys would love the camera feature!
*kelly
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i like vtech on fb
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tweet on 6/18
https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/346985191945949184
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I like the parent controls on it.
I subscribe via email!
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I tweeted!
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I like Vtech on facebook!
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Parental setting – content lock
e-mail subscriber
I like the corners are protected by rubber
email subscriber
like on FB
like VTech on FB
I love that it takes pictures/videos!
subscribe to rss feed
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follow on Pinterest – MijalPhoto
facebook fan – Becky L.M.
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tweet 6/18
https://twitter.com/jwatson50/status/347015639912820736
Parental setting – content lock is a great feature
https://twitter.com/Good_Mommy_/status/347034502754877441
tweet 6/18
I follow @VTechtoys and @RaveandReview on twitter @Good_Mommy_
I love that it takes pictures and my son can play games on it 🙂
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I am an email subscriber 🙂
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I retweeted (@JAIVIANSMOMMY):)
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retweet 6-18
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tweeted
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tweeted https://twitter.com/mom22girlz/status/347167136722067458
I retweeted @getinonthewins
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I like the Wi-Fi and the camera.
email subscriber
tweet https://twitter.com/5memb/status/347270255707557888
My favorite feature of the Vtech InnoTab 2S is the integrated video camera. My daughter would have a lot of fun with it.
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Retweeted: https://twitter.com/raveandreview/statuses/345992956672622592
i like the camera
I like the Parental setting – content lock feature.
Shared on fb
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Shared on fb
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tweet on 6/19
https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/347369157437841409
I love that it has a camera. My daughter would love it.
tweet 6/19
https://twitter.com/jwatson50/status/347377644008009728
https://twitter.com/sandyv1955/status/347387873403740160
[email protected] Sandy VanHoey
6/19/2013 tweet
https://twitter.com/Good_Mommy_/status/347388180850438144
I like that there are protective rubber corners. That’s great, means it’s durable for kids.
2GB internal memory, expandable to 32GB with memory card slot (card not included)
https://twitter.com/JBeard25/status/347432444322017281
I like that it has an mp-3 player.
I follow vtech on Facebook- Paula Skinner Hafner
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My favorite feature is the Protective rubber corners
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tweeted https://twitter.com/mom22girlz/status/347528609633796096
tweted
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https://twitter.com/DEBIJOT/status/347544359983513600
I like the camera feature.
https://twitter.com/mkjmc/status/347676086521450497
tweet on 6/20
https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/347686530615234561
daily tweet
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tweet 6/20
https://twitter.com/jwatson50/status/347759581641981952
RT–https://twitter.com/raveandreview/status/345992956672622592
https://twitter.com/raveandreview/status/345992956672622592
retweet 6-20
Retweeted 20th June.
tweeted
https://twitter.com/JenniferCNP/status/347883103471153152
I love that it’s childsafe! LOL
follow on twitter @peasblog
follow you on FB!!!
https://twitter.com/DEBIJOT/status/347907438428684288
tweeted https://twitter.com/mom22girlz/status/347908214333005825
I love the camera.
I love that you can download apps so easily and the video and recorder
I you on Pinterest @MaryWithrow
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I tweeted about the Giveaway https://twitter.com/raveandreview/status/345992956672622592
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tweet 6/21
https://twitter.com/jwatson50/status/348084003942846464
I love the camera!
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I follow both on twitter as @beccapeters1
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I subscribe to email
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I like you on fb.. Becca Peters
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I like vtech on fb.. becca peters
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tweet on 6/21
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https://twitter.com/sandyv1955/status/348182075238649857
[email protected] Sandy VanHoey
https://twitter.com/raveandreview/status/345992956672622592
retweet 6-21
daily tweet
https://twitter.com/getinonthewins/status/348230198291988481
like the camera
I like the photo frame stand
tweeted
https://twitter.com/JenniferCNP/status/348261521790488576
tweeted
https://twitter.com/JenniferCNP/status/348261521790488576
Didn’t see my post so this posted twice.
I will use this as my I like vtech on fb (Jennifer Messner M)
https://twitter.com/DEBIJOT/status/348265627259109377
My fave feature is the camera. My daughter would have a blast with this!
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tweeted https://twitter.com/mom22girlz/status/348329961389694978
the One touch camera access
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RT–https://twitter.com/raveandreview/status/345992956672622592
fav feature is the camera and video recorder
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shared fb
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subscribe via email using brich22 at earthlink dot net
tweet https://twitter.com/rrich2222/status/348422070562074625
My favorite feature is the camera!
I follow VTech on Facebook!
tweet on 6/22
https://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/348444094810447873
https://twitter.com/sandyv1955/status/348451453062492160
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fb post 1
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email subscriber
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tweeted
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following both on twitter (JenniferCNP)
The video recorder is great.
My favorite feature is the video camera. My grandson would love making his own videos.
I subscribe via Feed Demon
I follow you on Pinterest username:mammjamm18
I like you on FB (Ellie W)
tweet
https://twitter.com/eswright18/status/348543645923819522
following VTech on Facebook (Ellie W)
I follow both on Twitter @eswright18
It’s educational benefits are awesome!
https://twitter.com/JBeard25/status/348562755286085632
My favorite feature is the camera!
My retweet: https://twitter.com/raveandreview/status/345992956672622592
I like VTech on Facebook. (Hesper Fry)
I like @RaveAndReview and @VTechToys on Twitter. (@eveningstarr1)
I love the amount of apps they have for this system.There is enough there in all different price ranges to keep a kid engaged in learning.Thanks!
lstanziani(at)yahoo(dot)com
I like V-tech on FB as Leslie Luke Stanziani.Thanks!
lstanziani(at)yahoo(dot)com
I like you on FB as Leslie Luke Stanziani.Thanks!
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https://twitter.com/DEBIJOT/status/348616674095792129
I am an e-mail subscriber. Thanks!
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I am a rss subscriber. Thanks!
lstanziani(at)yahoo(dot)com
I follow on pinterest as lstanziani.Thanks!
lstanziani(at)yahoo(dot)com
I retweeted as lstanziani. Thanks!
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1.I posted giveaway on FB and tagged you: https://www.facebook.com/leslie.l.stanziani/posts/10201357337561501 Thanks!
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2.I posted giveaway on FB and tagged you: https://www.facebook.com/leslie.l.stanziani/posts/10201357337561501 Thanks!
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I really like the camera feature of this
My favorite feature is the One Touch camera access.
I subscribe via RSS Google.
Laura Emerson
I subscribe via email.
I follow on Pinterest.
Laura Lee
I am a Facebook Fan.
I Retweeted.
laurallee56
I follow VTech on Facebook.
I like both on twitter.
laurallee56
tweeted https://twitter.com/mom22girlz/status/348647772792184832
I love the camera!
RSS Subscriber
I follow VTech on FB as Sonya Neal
I follow you both on Twitter as dewer421
https://twitter.com/mkjmc/status/348782944812417024
tweet on 6/23
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Daily Tweet
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RT–https://twitter.com/raveandreview/status/345992956672622592
dt https://twitter.com/rrich2222/status/348871692455641088
I love the camera feature because my grandson loves to take pictures and I know he would love it too.
I am an email subscriber ([email protected])
I am a subscribed to your RSS feed via My yahoo (Vikki Billings)
I like/follow you on Facebook as Vikki Billings
I retweeted: https://twitter.com/raveandreview/status/345992956672622592 (@VikkiBillings)
I like the video recorder
Google Reader subscriber
I love the protective rubber corners because with my boys they are necessary!
I follow Rave and Review on Pinterest as LauraU33
I follow Rave and Review on twitter as @LauraUnger31
I follow Vtech toys on twitter as @LauraUnger31
I like that it has a camera in it.