CTA Digital’s Kid’s Adjustable Activity Table for the iPad – Review

Last Spring I received an iPad and my kids have been glued to it ever since.  I downloaded a bunch of educational apps and books. I love that I can just hand the kids the iPad and know that they are having fun learning.  What I don’t love?  I don’t love that when my kids sit on the couch holding the iPad on their lap their necks are craned downward in an uncomfortable and unhealthy position.  Little Brother can only play on the iPad for 5-10 minutes before he starts complaining that his neck hurts.

Kids dropping the iPad, spilling on the iPad, walking around the house with it and losing it (I’m thinking of my younger son on this one) are other concerns parents often have when their kids use the iPad.

When I heard about CTA Digital’s Kid’s Adjustable Activity Table for the iPad I knew this was something I wanted for the boys.

With Little Brother already complaining about neck pains the iPad table was just what we needed.  Here is a description of CTA’s Kids Adjustable Activity Table for the iPad:

This kid-sized desk has a special iPad holder tray and stand that gives accessibility and ease-of-use to the tablet. It can hold the iPad in both horizontal and vertical perspectives, and the included stand secures the tablet at 3 different angles so kids can comfortably watch a video or play with their favorite app.

Adjustable legs let users adapt the table to the right height for toddlers, preschoolers and older children, going as low as floor level if preferred. The tablet tray in the center of the table securely holds the new iPad or iPad 2 with a fitted cover featuring a clear touch screen protector to guard against scratches, smudges, and fingerprints.  The table tray has a reverse side that is a simple flat surface, turning the Kids Adjustable Activity Table into an ideal space for writing, drawing and other activities.

Our thoughts on the table?

My husband, my kids, and I are all very impressed with the Activity Table for the iPad!  I love that my kids can sit with proper posture at a desk and play their learning games and read their book apps.  I don’t have to be concerned that they will leave the iPad on the floor and step on it, or that they will drop it when carrying from one room to another.

*I do have to insert a word of caution here: I left Little Brother –age 2.5– at the iPad table the other day while I went to take a shower. Midway through my shower he walked into the bathroom carrying the iPad.  He’d taken the iPad out of the table tray, carried over the tile floor and into our marbled floor bathroom!!! I then explained to him that it was very important that only mommy and daddy put the iPad into the table tray or take it out.

The table is very simple design wise.  It was extremely easy to put together; nothing to screw in, no tools needed.  The plastic used is very good quality and I don’t have to worry about my kids breaking it.  The other thing i love is that when the kids are not using the iPad the tablet tray can be flipped over and the table becomes a regular desk where kids can do their homework, color, or do art projects!

I do feel like there are some improvements that could be made.  There are spring loaded pins under the table that hold the tablet tray in place.  To adjust the iPad to a vertical or horizontal position you need to squeeze the levers which cause the pins to release the tablet tray.  Unfortunately, the pins on ours don’t always go smoothly back into place and I find myself having to fiddle with it a bit to get the pin to release.

The only other thing I don’t like is how flimsy the clear touch screen protector is.  It would be pretty easy for a kid who’s fooling around to puncture this.  I’m not so much worried about this with my boys, but I have found that because the screen protector is flimsy my kids sometimes have trouble dragging their finger across the screen.  The flimsy screen creates a bump, and sometimes causes them to drop what they were dragging.

You can see how the screen crinkles a bit as I press my fingers against it.

Despite the improvements that could be made, I think CTA Digital is on the right track with the Adjustable Activity Table for the iPad.  It lists for $49.99 on Amazon.com, and I definitely think it is worth the price.  If you have an iPad and a young child who plays with your iPad, I’d highly recommend this table.

Keep up with CTA Digital on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest for lots more great toys and accessories for your video games, tablets, and gadgets!

Disclosure: I received the above mentioned product, at no cost to myself, for review purposes.  The opinions expressed are honest and are entirely my own.