The Nielsen Company reports that children in the United States ages 6-12 want an iPad and iPod touch more than almost any other electronic gadget, including Nintendo DS, Sony PlayStation 3 or Xbox 360 Kinect.

[ad#Google Adsense 300×250 in story]The iPad leads all other devices for generating interest in a future purchase among children in that age group, Nielsen reports – 31 percent of those polled expressed a desire to own one. The iPod touch tied for second place with a computer, garnering 29 percent.

Nintendo’s handheld game systems, Sony PlayStation 3, smartphones and other mobile phones trailed behind, and Apple’s iPhone made an appearance in eighth place.

Among buyers age 13 and up, the iPad placed a respectable fourth behind computers, television sets, and non-iPhone smartphones – 18 percent of those polled ranked an iPad on the desired list. The iPhone and iPod touch also garnered considerable interest.