Kids and Video Games
You’d be amazed if you saw my little 4 year old play video games. He is awesome at navigating around on the computer, is better than me on some of our Wii games, and has a mind that is constantly soaking in everything around him. Since he likes games so much, it is important to me that he learns while playing. With the Leapster2 from Leapfrog, he can learn on the go, with games that are age appropriate for him.
Pros: Leapfrog is no stranger in our home, and has been an important learning tool for my boys. From dvd’s to toys, I’ve never been disappointed. So I definitely had high expectations when we received a Leapster 2 with a few games to review.
The Leapster2 is appropriate for ages 4 to 8 and teaches skills such as:
- Mathematics
- Language arts
- Reading skills
- Basic science concepts
It’s easy to use and power on. Chandler, who is just shy of 4 can power it on, put cartridges in himself and navigate very easily. Once powering it on, you create a simple profile for your child. You can have 4 profiles at any given time or can play as a guest. This handheld has the regular gaming buttons, but also includes a pen. To see this in action, watch the video below:
When you come to the main screen after selecting your profile, there are 4 options: Downloadable games, Cartridge games, Creativity Castle, and Connect to Computer.
With the Leapster2, you get a software cd that lets you install Leapfrog connect. With Leapfrog connect, you can download games, get demos, get rewards for your child that they’ve earned playing games, and much more. Once you have installed it, you can add other Leapfrog products. The Leapster2 came with a downloadable game which was easy to get and is saved in it’s memory. It’s also compatible with 30+ leapster games, so there’s plenty to choose from.
The Leapster 2 has a headphone jack, usb to connect to your computer, volume controls, and brightness adjustments. It takes 4 AA batteries which you put in the back of the game. It’s definitely durable as well. Over the past month, it has been thrown all around and still works perfectly. I’m sure Leapfrog had this in mind when they were designing it.
Cons: While I am a big fan of this product, I do feel that there are some minor improvements that could be incorporated. If you have the Leapster2 powered on, and you insert a cartridge, the entire handheld powers down. You then have to power it back on and start from square one. I’m not sure what the thinking was behind this, but the first few times Chan inserted the cartridge and this happened, he thought it was broken.
The design of this is also quite chunky and heavy. I can see how this is good for little hands, but it still feels a bit bulky. It weighs in at 1.6 lbs which I think is rather heavy for a handheld gaming system.
I would also love to see an auto-shutoff feature. The first few times Chandler was done playing it, he left it on and the batteries drained quickly. I think it would be nice to see it shut off after 5-10 minutes of inactivity to save battery life. Overall, I think the learning capabilities definitely outweigh the cons.
Leapster2 Games
This is definitely something to put on your Christmas list if you have a child aged 4-8.
Price: $69.99, on sale at the Leapfrog store right now for $59.99
Where to Buy: Leapfrog online, Target, Walmart
Win It
One Babes and Kids reader will win a Leapster 2
Here’s How to Enter: (This entry is mandatory)
- Visit leapfrog and tell me another product that interests you.
Additional Entries
- Tweet about this giveaway. – 2 entries
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- Unlimited - You may enter as often as you’d like on this giveaway as long as you’ve completed the mandatory entry and your comments stay centered around Leapfrog.
Please leave each entry as a separate comment. Contest is open to US residents and will end at 11:59 MST on November 2nd. Winner will be drawn via random.org and has 48 hours to respond to winning e-mail or prize will be forfeited and given away in a live giveaway.
The product reviewed in this article was a sample provided to me by the company or PR representative. These views and opinions are my own and I was not compensated by this review.
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I would like to try the click start my first computer, that would be great for my daughter who is always wanting on my computer.
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The Leapfrog Tag Reading system is another item on our Christmas list this year. It would be great for both my kids.
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The Leapfrog Zippity looks like a fun game!
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My niece was just here for a visit and had this leapfrog. She was so quiet on car rides and whenever the adults were talking. She was definitely enjoying it. I would love to win this for my son.
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We would love the Tag Junior for boys.
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The Tag Reader is another one that we would love to have!
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my 3 year old ds has a leapster (the first one). we are trying to figure out if we want to buy dd (2) a pink one for christmas or pass down his old one and get him one of these new ones.
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the tag reader system is on our christmas list!
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The Learn & Groove® Piano is on sale for $14.99.
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LittleTouch LeapPad Educational Book Rainbow Fish is only $3.24 in clearance.
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LeapPad Educational Book Cars is on clearance at $7.99.
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Learn To Read at the Storybook Factory is on clearance for $4.99.
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We have the Fridge DJ radio at home.
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I love that they have such fun and updated games that kids would like such as Nemo, Ratatouille, Walle, etc.
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ClickStart™ Thomas and Friends: Learning Destinations would be a big hit too with my 3 year old.
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I know Jordan would LOVE the Tag™ Junior Book: Disney Pixar Cars: Shapes All Around!
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The leapfrog reading systems look really cool!
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This would be great for the grands! I also like the Tag jr!
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Leapfrog’s Letter Factory is the best video for learning phonics.
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Our older son learned all of his letter sounds by watching Leapfrog videos like Letter Factory and Storybook Factory. This helped him learn to read last year, when he was 5.
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We have the Learn & Groove musical table. Our daughter will love that once she’s big enough to play with it.
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We got the Alphabet Pal when my older son was a baby and he enjoyed it for a long time.
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The new Leapfrog Text and Learn looks good.
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Our older son is a Star Wars fanatic so we got him the Didj Jedi Trials for Christmas.
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We’ve got the Didj in the closet, ready to be wrapped up to give to our older son for Christmas.
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We have the Tag reader and my sons get a big laugh out of the book “Walter the Farting Dog Goes on a Cruise”.
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I love LeapFrog products. I’m also interested in their Star Wars science game for the Didj. Jedi Trials I think is the one.
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My son would love the Phonics word builder. He has the onith just the letters and he loves it!
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I have a star wars fan at my house and he would love the star wars themed leapfrog
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i have 5 children so this would be so well used at my house
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I think the Tag reading system looks awesome!
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I used to babysit some girls who had the leap frog dvd about the alphabet and they loved it! It really helped with making the shounds.
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