Audio Equipment

Most children and young people love music. While youngsters know whose stuff they want to hear, many adults find themselves unsure of what best to buy to let them hear it. Here are our recommendations for when the time comes to buy their first kit or upgrade what they have outgrown. The description of each featured item includes a link to a merchant who sells it and related items. As with all pages on our site the content on this one will be refreshed & amended as inspiringyourkids.com develops and grows.

MP3 Players

Apple iPods

Since it first appeared five years ago the iPod has revolutionised how music is stored and listened to. Now available in a variety of models, each with their own range of features, storage capacity and accompanying price tags, the choice can leave the prospective purchaser confused as to which to pick. Here's our guide to what's available and where to get the one that seems right for your youngster.

iPod Shuffle

As the entry level model the iPod Shuffle is ideal for youngsters just starting to enjoy music and build a collection of their favourite tracks. Able to hold up to 240 songs and with a battery life of 12 hours before needing recharged, it is available in silver; blue; green and orange as well as the pink shown from Argos

Nano iPod

Light weight and slim the Nano is the mid range product of Apple's family of MP3 players. It will appeal to kids whose level of interest in music is growing, with the 2GB (gigabyte) version holding 500 songs and the 4GB and 8GB versions holding 1,000 and 2,000 respectively. Each of the three types of Nano can also hold various amounts of photos, audiobooks and podcasts as can be seen from the range available from Woolworths Group plc

Video iPod

The top of the tree Video iPod allows its owners to download and watch movies and TV programmes as well as store photos, play games and listen to a large number of songs, audio books and podcasts. The essential difference in the 30, 60 and 80 GB versions is the amount of storage capacity available, with the most powerful able to hold 20,000 music tracks. Full details of the specific features of each type of Video iPod from Amazon

iPod Speakers & Docking Station

In addition to the dock pictured, which by acting as a set of speakers allows an iPod owner to share their music collection with everyone in a room, there are a host of accessories available for proud iPod owners. These range from high quality ear phones to protective cases, many of which can be viewed at easyishop

Bratz Themed Boombox

Combined portable CD player and radio that looks like a funky handbag with a Bratz themed exterior for the girl who is always on the go. Available from Woolworths Group plc

Sony Micro HiFi

This HiFi system by Sony has great quality sound and is very reasonably priced. For those who need access to a cassette player, it has a double cassette deck. The 5 disc CD changer means the kids (or you) can choose the music for the next few hours and leave the HiFi to do the work. It is very easy to set up and looks good too. Available from Amazon 

Digital Radio

Tune in to your favourite digital radio station no matter where you are with the Pure Move DAB radio. Its palm sized design features 10 station presets, a scrolling text display and rechargeable battery pack. Available from Marks and Spencer