Best MP3 players for kids

Kids--we'll define them as anyone from age 2 up to the teens--can get access to slick gadgets these days, and we can imagine an MP3 player in every kid's tech toy box soon. Instead of saying, "My first CD was The Cars' Heartbeat City," Junior someday will be heard declaring, "My first download was Kanye West's 'Late Registration.'" Or in the younger set's case, Dora the Explorer. We've rounded up a few affordable flash-based MP3 players that are rugged and simple enough for kids. All of the listed players cost $100 or less, and most of them have at least 1GB of memory--good for 250 songs.

You can't get much simpler than the Apple iPod Shuffle--it can clip right onto a child's pocket or bag strap, and parents can use it to illustrate that there were once audio devices without screens. On that same line of thinking, there's the SanDisk Sansa Shake, a motion-sensing MP3 player that lets kids interact with the music by shaking the device; it helps that it goes for just $40, too. Another perfect player for the ultrayoung is Peapod Toys' SweetPea3 with its simple operating system and built-in handle. The Sansa Clip is another low-cost SanDisk player that's a great option for the more fashion-conscious set due to its removable clip and various color options, while the Tamagotchi-like Creative Zen V's little joystick is perfect for kid fingers. For those kids who want a bit more from an MP3 player, the Kingston K-PEX offers gaming and video capabilities.