MP3 Choices for Young Music Lovers

When young kids see their older siblings with something, you know what happens. They want it, too. Not necessarily because it's right for them, of course. Just because. If you've got a young school-age child who is dead sure she wants an iPod Video but you know that such an expensive entrée into the MP3 market is not a smart move, consider these options.

Kidz Bop to Go Player: Kidz Bop CDs, which feature kids singing the latest pop hits, have come of age in this $30 MP3 player, which features 20 preloaded hit songs. It takes one AAA battery to run. Kids can't download more songs, but it gives them an MP3 experience and a way to bring tunes on the road. One caveat: The New York Times' Warren Buckleitner warns that the volume can get "uncomfortably loud." Sounds like a good teachable moment to help your kids learn to keep the volume at levels that won't hurt their ears.

Creative Zen Nano: This small MP3 player gets high marks for audio quality and overall design. It plays WMA music files, which means it is not compatible with iTunes. You can find a 1GB Nano Plus for as little as $60. It's a good way to introduce young ones to choosing and downloading songs they like.

iPod Shuffle: If your family's hooked on iTunes, the 1GB iPod Shuffle provides an $80 intro to the MP3 world for the youngest members of the clan. Now that the newly designed Shuffle clips onto clothes or bags, there's less chance of breakage by small hands, too.

Kids may say they may want an iPod because that's all they hear about, but there are other choices for introducing portable music to young music lovers. Check out these related links:

PC World: How to Buy an MP3 Player
MP3 Players: A Look at the Others
Understanding the Major File Formats: WAV, MP3, and MIDI