[Epic 4G Q&A, Help & Troubleshooting] luna_c666:
Well I gave my Epic to my son several months ago and it is still running strong the only thing he's managed to change is the wallpaper (I'm not sure how, but he did it from within the game 'Where's My Water' somehow, that is currently the background).

So step by step what I did was- Downloaded a favorite app blocker tool that requires a PIN to launch apps (the Audio Manager secret app is a great one IMO) and removes them from the app drawer (so far he's not been able to access it once anyway). I have another app locker that prompts with a fake 'Force Close' screen, you have to long-press OK to access the PIN entry dialogue, just another layer of security.

Put Google Play and any other app possibly triggered by a game/link into the 'Locked' section of your app locker.

Install Nova (I have the Prime version, it will likely be required) and in Settings, hide dock with a swipe gesture (I use two fingers rotated counter-clockwise), put 5 pages on the dock.

Place links to the app drawer and the Nova Action Hide/Show Notification Bar on the far right page of the dock (or far left will work as well), to hide the dock, slide over to the far-left page and use your swipe gesture. That way the dock can only reveal the app drawer and Hide/Show Notifications if you use your swipe gesture and then scroll 4 times to the right- something my son is almost certain not to accidentally do.

Next, navigate to the aforementioned folder (/system/usr/keylayout/ or similar) and delete both the menu touchkey line and the search touchkey line in the layout file. This will disable the actions, but will still respond to touch and blink/vibrate.

Remove any quicksettings accessible via notification menu- some apps are still programmed to be in regular view mode instead of fullscreen and a toddler will occasionally be able to access the notification menu- like Netflix, for example. Remove any actions and block any apps that can be triggered from the notification menu.

Finally, set up your desktop with all games and links your child would use and lock it from within Nova settings and lock desktop. You will still be able to access your dock, but you will not be able to add/delete apps or move them around on the desktop without long-pressing the lock icon, which doesn't resemble a button so my son hasn't figured that out yet either. (I'm screwed when he learns how to read, and he already knows his letters so it's only a matter of time now!)

I also used a piece of 3M double-stick adhesive strip (1/8" thick foam) and cut it so it covers both menu/search buttons and leaves home/back exposed- I didn't want him to get frustrated trying to tap the buttons and nothing happens since they still react to touch- I could have hidden the buttons, disabled them, enabled a navbar and only added those two buttons (home/back) but that would take up valuable screen real-estate for his movies and games. Then I finished by installing an OtterBox cover and taping the sides so that the phone will not slide open any longer.

He has access to one main screen and anything the phone can do, at least that he knows it can do, is located on that main screen, and he can't customize anything but the background image, apparently, lol.

It's pretty much like an iPhone now.

:D