Learning Partner for Life
Written: Jan 19 '01 (Updated Jan 19 '01)
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Pros: Easy to Use, Volume control, Lots of activities
Cons: Stores can't keep new books and accessories in stock
The Bottom Line: This toy is an excellent choice for children over 3. It will entertain them well after Kindergarten.
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| ladyhawk617's Full Review: Leap Frog Leappad Learning System |
"Touch the Green Go Circle" I'm hearing this in my sleep now. Or, maybe she did get up in the middle of the night to play?
My daughter received this for Christmas last year. At that time she wasn't even two yet and this toy was a little too old for her. It is intended for children around the ages of 4 to 6.
But, a year later, (almost 3 now) she plays with this every day.
The Leap Pad comes with a book and it has a story about Leap, A Richard Scarry activity chapter, and a chapter that reminds me of an encyclopedia activity.
The leap story is basic. Uses small words. You can have the leap pad read the story to you. Or any other range of activities including phonics, spelling, rhyming games, and identification games. I was surprised at the range of activities for one little story.
"Leap has lost something that rhymes with cop, Can you find it?" The answer is of course "top" and you use the attached pen to touch the top on the picture. this feature is still a little beyond my daughter but she likes to play with me and then reap the rewards as the Leap Pad congratulates me. "You did it mommy!"
She can use the pad herself. If she touches on a picture, the pad will tell her what it is. "BALL, BALL, BALL.." Kassidy! Touch something else! If you touch the spelling feature, it will spell it. "BALL - b-a-l-l"
The Richard Scarry chapter is more of the same but it doesn't tell a story. There is a page of playground equipment that my daughter likes very much.
And then for the adult entertainment......The encyclopedia chapter. "Welcome to Eureka! I will say the name of a state and you find all you can in 45 seconds....." Many adults have tried to beat my score of 22 and can't do it.
The point I'm trying to make here is that the Leap Pad is very versatile and can grow with your child. You can buy other books (that come with cartridges) but I only have 3 different ones because the stores are always out. There are more on the market but are hard to find. They are usually about $15.
I have also seen a mouse for the computer that compliments the Leap Pad, so I think this is probably an expanding market.
The pad itself is surprisingly durable. It has been toted from room to room by the attached pen, knocked off the table, colored on, stepped on and anything else that might happen to a two year old's toy over a period of a year. It still looks brand new. The crayon came off with a little cleaner as did any smudges or dirt. The book is bound with a spiral coil. And, we have not lost any pages. the book material is very hearty.
It takes regular batteries which last longer than most toys. There is no trying to find out which hearing aid batteries to use with this talking book.
The only con is that there is no way to secure the book to the pad so it frequently gets lost or lays on the pad wrong. If it is not in the pad correctly, the pen won't work and you are trying to hear about Winnie the Pooh's blustery day and the leap pad is telling you to pick an instrument to play from the orchestra.
This is a toy that you can play with your child or they can play by themselves. I guarantee hours of amusement!
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): gift
Type of Toy: Educational
Age Range of Child: 3 to 5 Years
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Epinions.com ID:
ladyhawk617
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Member: Kristy
Location: Chesterfield, IN
Reviews written: 53
Trusted by: 39 members
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