I'm looking for feedback on LeapFrog Leapster product. Is it worth the $? Is it durable? Does it keep your child's interest or did he/she tire of it quickly? I've read some reviews that told of problems with the screen going out and quick draining of batteries. Have you expereinced this? I'm also interested to hear feedback on other 'educational' hand-held/portable devices for K/1st grade age.
I have two kids ages 2 and 5 and both of them love them. As far as the batteries draning I really don't have to replace them to often. My daughters plays with her's non stop and we have had it for two years now. It's very educational. She has learned alot from it and she is over prepared for kindergarten in my opinion. Alot has to come from playing with it. Well worth the money.
I have a 9 and 7 year old boys and their's in the bottom of their closet somewhere. They played it about a week and were done with it. So. depend on the kid.
We loved the system, but didn't love the fact that the screen died twice. They replaced it once, but it didn't last long, now it is useless unfortunately. Maybe they have made some improvements since this happened a couple years ago.
Both my girls love theirs. They use it most often when we are travelling in the car or at the grocery store. They do play with them at home, as well. Ours have been durable and I actually ran over one of them and it survuved without a scratch. It was in the Leapster case and it had fallen out of the car. My little one did not realize it had escaped. I really ran over it - the car went over a bump in the driveway and I was praying I had not smushed one of the cats. Nope - there was the Leapster still ticking! I should e-mail the company to comliment them! Anyway, I recommend the Leapster. Maybe you can buy turtlepits' Leapsters at a bargain price!
My son got his this year for his birthday, he's 5. He loves it. He mainly uses it when we go on car trips. He actually wants the NASCAR game for Christmas since he is CRAZY over NASCAR!
My boys (5 and 7) love theirs. My suggestion for the battereis is to buy rechargeables. They have been a lifesaver (and moneysaver) for us.
When I read turtlepits' post that same thought crossed my mind Frugalmom Tutlepit please PM me if you want to sell yours.
We highly recommend Leapster...C6 uses one in her classroom as a reward for students who get their work done correctly and in good time. Batteries are batteries..we've found that having the user to wear headphones tends to reduce the battery usage.
http://4042.appcomm.net/cgi-bin/404...play_db_button=on&db_id=51821&query=retrieval Is this the same thing? :? I dont' have kids, so I dont' know "exactly" what you are talking about. 8)
We were at WalMart last night to take a look at these. The screen is a bit small. Games were $25 a piece. The unit itself was $55. So for two children I'm looking at $160 just for the units and one game each. I'm thinking of all the educational computer software I could buy for that kind of money. Hmmm ...
Have you looked on Craigslist? Why don't you post that you are lookign for 2 of them? Turtlepits....are you out there?! :lol:
We went with the V-smile, of course you can't take it with you, it hooks up to the TV, but you can get 2 controllers with it. The games are about $20 each. Since it's for Christmas, I don't know if she'll like it yet or not. I sure hope so. I got it for $30.00 at Wal-mart the day after Thanksgiving.
MM had a LeapPad, which was like a portable book that you could buy refills for that probably did the same thing as the Leapster. She enjoyed it. But you know, what works for some, may not work for others, and nothing can take the place of good old fashioned QT with your kids, reading to them, using flash cards, and taking them to visit educational places like the library and the museum!
We've had a few Leapfrog products such as the frog with the alphabet on his belly and the My First Leap interactive game board that required the workbook and cartridge. Last year, we bought our child a Vtech V-Smile TV game system and it has been enjoyed immensely and seems to be a great learning tool. In fact, we are likely going to get the portable version since the regular V-Smile games work in it as well. We have been surprised by the quickness at the information being learned; some of which is probably 6-8 year old type curriculum. Our 5 year old has learned the alphabet with ease (probably by 3), can count up to at least 50, can spell and write words going on just memory and is coming along on sentence structuring very nicely. Simple math with more focus on adding has been accomplished. Memory retention skills look good as well. At around 3.5 YO we were getting a reciting of almost all the presidents by face recognition in order or random. I think a lot of today's technology has really improved the learning capability of children without being boring or forceful. Its certainly worth the money. We have never pushed; only encouraged and when its fun to learn its easier both on the child and parents.
My first post! My son has a Leapster and we love it-has been great fun and has lasted for 4 yrs falling down stairs, carried around by the pen, etc. To save on batteries buy the adapter for ~10$ for use at home and the recharge batteries for away. My girls will get the LMAX for Christmas this year (75% at Target last year) and some new games. You can buy games from ebay, etc or just trade like we do with friends.
NC MOM , I sent you an IM. I'll give them to you if I can find everything. We gave alot of toys and clothes to Good Will last weekend. I don't think they put them in there. If I find them I will PM you tomorrow.
