Leapster for PreK

[RunnerKim]

Hi,
I'm considering getting my (just about to be) 4 year old a Leapster for Christmas and wanted to get some feedback on it. Overall, if your child has it - are you happy with it - does the kid enjoy it? I read some reviews on Amazon and there were many parents who are disgusted about an Ad feature on the new version (green/silver case - not sure how new is new). I haven't seen one in person and don't know how prevelent the ad part is. It sounds like there's a link on the screen all the time, no matter what game the kid is playing. At least through Amazon some of the older Leapsters are still available (although it sounds like many of those had screen issues).

And how long (age wise) do your kids play with it? I have a younger son who I expect would inherit it in a couple of years when Lainey outgrows it. It seems that Gameboys are a too advanced for a 4 year old.

Would a couple of games be enough for occaisonal use? At $25 each I don't want to be buying one regularly. She'll mostly be using it for (approx.) monthly 2 hour car trips to the coast (and longer traveling if that comes up).

My daughter has little interest in watching TV/movies. We took a recent plane trip and an 8 hour car trip and the portable DVD player got very little use. Since she doesn't sleep while traveling either - the trips were less than bearable. I think she'll like something more interactive.

Kim

[Lrimerman]

I have a leapster for each of my kids (ages 7 & 4) we got one for my daughter when they first came out and it had an issue just after warranty expired. My mom bought her a new one and we ended up exchanging the broken one and kept the new one for my son. We gave it to him when he was about 3 1/2. He wasn't very good at it then, but is a champ now. We have many games as my daughter handed down several to him that she outgrew. I find it does keep them busy and is quite educational. It has really helped my son with his processing skills in which he has a delay, he has improved in playing the games. His screen does have a big problem that doesn't seem to bother him but the middle of the screen all the pixels went out so there is a big black blob in the middle of the screen. He still plays, but it would annoy me. I am thinking of getting him a new one this year.

I haven't seen the newer ones (my kids both have the original silver/blue ones from eons ago.).

Lisa

[Robyncz]

Both my girls (ages 5 and 6) have one, and we've been really happy with them. We got them right before a long flight a little over 2 years ago--when the girls were 3 and 4. When we bought them, we bought each of them an age-appropriate cartridge, and we've accumulated a few more over time. With the exception of the Disney Princess game, which in our opinion is not nearly as well thought-out as the others we have, they have enjoyed all the games, have learned from them, and continue to play them. With a set of headphones, they are GREAT for those time when children need to be entertained without disturbing other people around them, like on a plane, or in a waiting room, etc.

When my older daughter was 4, her absolute favorite cartridge was the Kindergarten cartridge. It has a ton of fun games on it, and it works lots of valuable skills for Kindergarten, too. I recommend it highly!

Editing to add--we did have a problem with the screen on one of them after about a year, but LeapFrog replaced the whole unit. We haven't had any other problems. We have the "early" model Leapster--not the new hook-up-to-the tv Leapster.

[DanaSD]

I always see ads for them on Craigs List - for the pad and the games. Might be a good way to pick up more games cheap.

[leebee]

We have one for our son (he's five now). It's the regular Leapster, not the L-Max (which is the one that hooks up to the TV). It runs both Leapster and Leapster L-Max games. I wasn't sold on the idea at first, but now I really like it. He's been graduating from beginner levels to the upper levels on his first games, so I know that there is a difference. Some of them are more just "fun" than others--he often chooses "wrong" answers on the SpongeBob game b/c the responses are funnier. But he plays some of the more "academic" games, too, like Rabbit River, which came loaded on the Leapster. He's been using some of the skills--adding up change amounts, identifying letter/sound combinations, etc., that I think are very age-appropriate. He plays his mostly when he needs some alone time. Sometimes he & I play together, taking turns drawing pictures on the Color Corral (also pre-loaded) for instance. I think it's been a good toy for him. That's how I think of it, as a toy with some learning built in. It's not a learning tool first, in my mind.

[Terri_A]

My daughter is 4 1/2 and got her Leapster L-Max about a year ago. First let me say that she has only hooked it up to the tv recently, so you could probably just get the regular Leapster and not spend the extra $$$ on the L-max. As for entertainment value, I think it's one of those things where your child will love it or hate it. My daughter happens to love it and it's been a gem when we've had to wait somewhere, fly or travel by car for long periods! We've taken it everywhere and she has a blast with it. We started out with 2 games - Dora and Letters on the Loose and she loved them, so we get new ones as a reward. When she gave up blankie and quit sucking her thumb, she got the Disney Princess game, which is not a great game! I do recommend the Dora and the Letters on the Loose. The next game she'll get will be the Numbers on the Loose: Counting on Zero. They are educational, but they ARE games FIRST and educational second. They're good for reinforcing thing they're learning either from you or in school, but I wouldn't count on it teaching your child much.

With all that said, this is a timely thread b/c her screen quit recognizing the pen today and I just sent off an email to their customer service dept. I'm hoping that they will replace it since it's not even a year old. We'll see....

[saw]

We got a Leapster (regular, not the L-Max) for our daughter for her 4th b-day, which was just before a long plane ride for us as well. It has been a GREAT toy for her. She plays with it for a longer period of time than with other toys and it really engages her. At first she would get frustrated when she couldn't quite master the pen/screen coordination or do something that the game required, but now she can change out games on her own and is moving up on the difficulty levels on the games. She has 3 games -- Dora, Nemo and Thomas. Nemo is just okay and she doesn't really play with that one too much. Dora and Thomas are great, though. Thomas does a lot with early math, which is fun. There are also some cool games built into the unit when you buy it -- my DD loves the drawing and coloring games. As others have said, it is a game first, but I like what they have developed and I think the educational aspects are great. The toy is wonderful for car trips and other travel as well as just a good activity for quiet time (with headphones!).

Hope that helps!

Sarah

[gardenmom]

I got the regular leapsters for an 8 hr car trip this summer for my 5yr old and almost 4 year old. The older child likes it more, but my 4 yr old got the hang of it, loving the drawing game it comes with and the Dora game. The games were a good respite from the portable DVD player. My husband and I remarked how well this year of travel went, as opposed to the last 3 years when we didn't have distractions, just whining and freak outs to get out of the car seat.

My kids don't play a lot with them at home. They like them in the car. They are active, and like to run, climb and jump more.

So, I agree, great for car trips and quiet times, and the quieter and more focused your child is, the better she will enjoy it.

[munchies]

This is an interesting thread...I hadn't really thought of getting one of these for DD (4 1/2) because I thought she was too young, but now I'm not so sure. She's definitely outgrowing her LeapPad.

It seems that the difference between the old and newer leapsters is basically the screen size and the pre-loaded games. Does anybody know if that's right? I'd prefer to buy the older one with more games, but if it has other negative issues, I may look into the newer versions.

Anybody have experience with both?

Thanks -
Heather

[RunnerKim]

Thanks everyone for your input - it's really helped. Is anyone using the newer green & silver version? I'm really curious about this ad link that seems to have so many parents upset.

I would be tempted to go with the older version except for the screen issues that so many people seem to have with the older silver one.

Thanks for the game recommendations (and particularly the ones that aren't so good).

TRU is having a sale this week where if you buy it (regular Leapster - not sure about the Lmax) you get a free ($25) game with it. Seems like a good deal so I'll probably stop in on Saturday to do early holiday shopping (I have a feeling we'll be there exchanging the bike we got her for her birthday Saturday - I think we over-estimated how tall she is).

Kim

[SDMomChef]

I have invested in a Leapster for each of my three kids, and we bought the twins their first ones when they were 4. We have been very happy with the Leapsters, and it is one "toy" that they always like to go back and play with later. I have picked up cartridges on clearance after the holidays to offset the cost.

We haven't had any problems with the screens or the pens.

Oh - and I like the fact that you can use headphones with the Leapsters. Good luck!