The Nintendo DS, PSP, iPod Touch, and their ilk have the power to turn what was once a parental endurance test — the six-hour car ride — into a relaxing opportunity to reconnect with your spouse, even with the kids in the back seat.

These little units also deliver the most playtime you are likely to get for your dollar from any toy. It’s even possible that, in younger kids, handheld games that require some reading will push a child to learn.

And for all this, there is a downside: Kids will want to play them during dinner, all night, and (rudely) when Grandma is visiting. This can make them seem like the bane of a parent’s existence. But the very thing that makes these babies portable also makes them easy to manage: A handheld is small enough that you can simply take it away and lock it in a drawer. In fact, once you get the hang of this drawer-locking trick, this device can be used as an incentive to do chores or finish homework, thereby helping you to teach the concept "work before play."

The pros: Entertaining, inexpensive, and portable, these devices can ease car rides and waiting-room time by keeping kids quiet and happy.

The cons: Kids never want to put them down, which can be maddening to parents who’d rather see their children reading.

The lowdown: These are great if you are willing and able to take them away or set clear rules for their use. Allow them only in the car, for example, and kids will go quietly anywhere you want to drive.

Article courtesy of greatschools.org