Anyone have a Vtech or LeapFrog Electronic Learning Systems?

[erinlovesmarc]

I was thinking of buying my niece either one of these for her birthday in January...she is turning 1! Anyone have suggestions or comments...

Also, does either one come with a cartridge or do I have to buy these separately?

V-Smile Baby Infant Development System
http://www.toysrus.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=2687523&kw=vtech&origkw=vtech&parentPage=search&f=Taxonomy/TRUSCA/2510384#prod_prodinfo

Little Leaps Grow-with-Me Learning System
http://www.toysrus.ca/product/index.jsp?productId=2687467&kw=leap%20frog&origkw=leap%20frog&parentPage=search&f=Taxonomy/TRUSCA/2567270&f=Taxonomy/TRUSCA/2582693

[TKay]

We have the Leapster L-Max which is for kids who are a little older. My boys LOVE it. It has tons of great games (yes, you buy the cartridges for that one) and the kids really LEARN using it.
My SIL has the V-Tech system for her toddler. Not sure if that's the same as the V-Smile? In any case, her children really enjoy that one too.
I wish I could be more help with this. But when your neice is ready to move up, I highly recommend the Leapster system. Happy shopping!

[SDMomChef]

Ditto what she said! My kids really enjoyed the Leapsters, and when they were younger, we had some of the Leap Frog books with the pens to follow along and do games.

[JMM74]

With my son, I got all the vtech type stuff. Did not get any of it with my daughter, gave it away before she was born. :p It got very little use, frankly. The Vtech hand held thing breaks pretty easily to boot. (and yes, the cartidges are a seperate purchase).

These days my son has a Leapster and I love that thing, as does he. It really is geared for older kids though, more 4 plus years of age. Math games, letters... fairly educational in a truly "game" format. Especially the Nascar game. :D

Honestly? For a kid that age I'd steer away from electronics. I'd go for bright colored blocks she can stack and knock over (knocking it down is most of the fun!). Picture books (DK I think, has the best ones). Colored bath toys that she can "paint" with in the tub. (My kids love this). Anything like that really keeps their attention more and they get a lot more out of it.

Maybe a CD of songs? I'm making one for the kids (the 2 year old, really) for a car trip. Must have songs (DD is 2) are Little Bunny Foo Foo, 5 Little Monkeys, Wheels on the Bus, Ring Around the Rosie... stuff like that.

I hope that helps! Also... here's a great site for the wee ones - www.kneebouncers.com - no purchase required. :D

(edited to try and fix link). :)

[MISSINDI]

Had VTech and like another poster, didn't get much use. Our 5-year-old loves Leapster though.

Leapfrog makes a fridge magnet set that he loved at age 1-2. It's a small square, and you pop the letters in one at a time, and it says the letter, with the sound and a little song. That one got tons of use. It's this one. (http://www.amazon.com/LeapFrog-Fridge-Phonics-Magnetic-Set/dp/B000096QNK/ref=pd_bbs_2/104-5835012-5772726?ie=UTF8&s=toys-and-games&qid=1194393704&sr=8-2)

[erinlovesmarc]

thanks everyone! Still not sure what I'm going to get her but I will look into all of your suggestions!