| If you're looking to add more peace and quiet to your | | | | understand symbols for play, pause and stop. Don't |
| drives, you've probably thought about buying a kids | | | | bother with a whole bunch of other features...the kids |
| DVD player for the car. It's an easy way to keep your | | | | just need a player that is functional and simple. |
| little ones occupied on longer drives, when they are | | | | Make sure the DVD player has at least one |
| bound to get restless and catch a bad case of the | | | | headphone jack. This is very, very important... unless |
| fussies, wiggles and 'are we there yets'. If you've been | | | | you enjoy listening to Kung Fu Panda for the tenth |
| wondering about portable DVD players for the kids, | | | | time while you're driving to the cottage! Two is better, |
| this article will give you some things to think about | | | | but with one you can get a headphone splitter (a |
| before you hand over your hard earned money. | | | | Y-adapter) so more than one child can plug in their |
| Unless you're planning to leave it in the car all the time | | | | headphones at the same time. |
| (not a great idea), you want something that is fairly | | | | Look for a portable DVD player that can also be |
| small and light enough to be carried around. If your kids | | | | hooked up to an external monitor or TV set. This will |
| are very young, there are portable DVD players | | | | let them use their player at home as well, and not |
| designed to be extremely durable and drop-resistant. | | | | have to touch yours! It's especially great when they |
| They are encased in hard plastic and have a rubber | | | | have friends over, as they get to show off and work |
| handle on the top, so little hands can tote it around | | | | their own DVD player instead of having to ask mom |
| easily. If they are a little older, you can go for | | | | or dad to come in and set the movie up for them. |
| something a little less playschool. | | | | Very important...get an additional battery pack. Portable |
| Make sure the screen size is big enough. A small | | | | units have rechargeable batteries, but many of them |
| screen might be okay for occasional viewing, but it | | | | only last two or three hours. Save yourself some time |
| gets very hard on the eyes for a full length movie. | | | | and hassle by having at least one other battery ready |
| Seven inches is the recommended minimum screen | | | | to go. You can store the battery pack, along with |
| size to avoid squinting and eye strain. | | | | cords and DVD, in a carrying case. Most carry cases |
| Choose a portable DVD player that the kids can | | | | are well padded, and have zippered compartments for |
| operate by themselves. Many models have a very | | | | easy, organized storage and transport. |
| easy to use interface, with larger buttons and easy to | | | | |