You know what Big wanted for Christmas last year? An iPad. You know what he wanted for his birthday this year? An iPad. You know what he didn’t get? An iPad. So do you know what he does? Beg to play with my iPhone.
He wants to play games. Take pictures. Make videos.
And now he can. No, we didn’t get him an iPad, but as a newly named LeapFrog Parent (whoo hoo!), I was sent a LeapsterGS to review. While we’ve been Leapster fans for years — both the boys enjoy a little game time in bed each night — the LeapsterGS is a whole new ballgame.
When Big saw it, he said, “That’s awesome! It looks like a DS.” Translation: LeapFrog just bought us another couple years of not having to navigate the world of “big kid” devices. The new sleek design with touchscreen interactivity, digital camera (which allows them to put their faces on characters in games), video recorder, voice recorder, and tilt technology (I’m sure there’s a fancier name for this, but it interacts as you shake/tilt/etc) is really a huge step up. Other than the resolution, it’s as good as playing with my iPhone it seems. Maybe even better because they have more apps and games than I’m willing to load on my phone (this is thanks in HUGE part to the fact that their Explorer cartridges still work in the new LeapsterGS — no need to re-buy them). (Though there is a new Phineas and Ferb game that has great math challenges, and you know how I heart P & F.)
While I don’t love the boys fighting over it, I do love that they can both play the same games, logged in as themselves, and be given age-appropriate challenges. And the technology tracks their progress to make it increasingly difficult. While Little does get frustrated from time to time (imagine that — a 3-year old getting frustrated), Big loves helping him (and by helping him I mean playing it for him).
So far Big has had a great time with the games he loves (Phineas and Ferb, Brave and NFL), along with a few apps (Escape of the Sillies — included, Squirrel Summertime Games, Kat’s Math-eriffic Magic Show, Busy Builder, and more). Little loves the Cars eBook and the Word World app where he can watch one of our favorite educational cartoons.
And the thing I love best? Well, that’s the fact that the kids are having fun and learning at the same time. I truly credit our wealth of LeapFrog toys, the Tag reader, and our Leapster Explorers for teaching our kids really amazing skills. (You know, like reading, writing, arithmetic. Yes, really.) Every time I watch my boys play a game, I’m amazed by the science facts they know, the math concepts they’ve grasped, and the ease with which they try new things — all with me still being the good guy, not the mean mom forcing them to “work” to learn.
And the best news? If you leave a comment before Wednesday, September 5th about what your family would enjoy about the new LeapsterGS, you’ll be entered for a chance to win your own LeapsterGS and a game cartridge. The winner will be selected at random.
So, tell me, what do you think?
Just in case you were wondering… The LeapsterGS is $69.99 and game cartridges are about $25. You can also download apps and eBooks for $5 and up. The rechargeable battery pack is definitely worth the extra $39.99 (though I wish it came with the device!).
Disclosure: As a LeapFrog Parent, I was sent a LeapsterGS and a couple game cartridges for review. All opinions are truly my own. I’m a huge fan of LeapFrog and the new LeapsterGS.
Lolly Bailey says
August 27, 2012 at 4:07 pmThanks for the heads up. Miriam loves Julie’s Ipad to watch Dora the Explorer, but I can see that a LeapsterGS should be on my Christmas list for her. Lolly
Amy, Using Our Words says
September 2, 2012 at 8:19 pmHappy to tell you more about it sometime!
Scott Paterson says
August 27, 2012 at 8:48 pmLily Bee is now 4 and we got here a game for Elle’s iPad called Team Umizoomi Mighty Math power and I’ve really come to appreciate true educational games. I’d love to get in on the educational games on the Leapster platform. We saw one of the scanning pen/books for reading while on vacation and I’m heading over to buy that right now.
Thanks,
-Scott
Amy, Using Our Words says
September 2, 2012 at 8:20 pmOh, I love the Tag. I swear it gave Big a huge leg up when it came to reading. Thanks for the comment!
Thien-Kim says
August 27, 2012 at 9:05 pmI like the new voice recorder and tilt technology. Maybe my guy will let me play with the iPad every now and again if he had the Leapster GS.
Amy, Using Our Words says
September 2, 2012 at 8:20 pmIt would only be fair… Thanks for the comment!
simona says
August 28, 2012 at 8:54 amThis is great! My boys already have DS’s as leapfrog stuff was long ago deemed “for babies”. However like your boys, they are in love with my iphone. It is really smart for Leapster to come up with something to bridge and hopefully extend that gap between “baby” electronics and video games, and also pick up on the hype with iphone/ipad technology, apps, etc.
Amy, Using Our Words says
September 2, 2012 at 8:21 pmIt also comes in Pink. 😉 Thanks for the comment!
Shuba says
August 28, 2012 at 3:01 pmThe tilt gyroscope sounds awesome and like you, have a huge Phineas & Ferb buff at home. The fact that it works with existing Explorer cartridge is the icing on the cake!
Amy, Using Our Words says
September 2, 2012 at 8:21 pmAbsolutely! Thanks for the comment.
Trevor says
August 28, 2012 at 4:50 pmWe have a 2 and a 5 year old and am having the same situation with them wanting to “play” with the iphones in the house. The Leapster is so much better since it’s built for kids. Looks like it would survive a bounce or two, where as my iphone, not so much. Great learning tool!
Amy, Using Our Words says
September 2, 2012 at 8:22 pmI can tell you it is WAY more sturdy. I hear it hit the floor a few times a day. Thanks for coming by and commenting!
Stephanie O says
August 28, 2012 at 6:33 pmMy 3year old daughter loves to play games on my husband and my phones it would be awesome if she had a LeapsterGS to play on and learn. I think it would help with counting and letters. Thanks for chance… shuttermom77 at gmail dot com
Amy, Using Our Words says
September 2, 2012 at 8:23 pmYes, it would definitely be a great tool for counting/letters. The World Word app/cartoon is a great letter/reading tool. Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!
EABC says
August 29, 2012 at 8:54 amMy 3.5 year old twins would LOVE this, especially the photo and video capabilities… since we are always taking their picture or video and they always want a turn with Mommy’s camera or phone! I’d love to see what they can create. Thanks for the review, and heads up!
Amy, Using Our Words says
September 2, 2012 at 8:24 pmFor some reason my kids haven’t explored all of the camera capabilities yet. I, too, am excited to see what they could create. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
amy pugmire says
August 29, 2012 at 12:58 pmI have a 2 year old and 5 year old that will be fighting over this 🙂 I know they would love the Control the action and turn up the fun with the all-new motion sensor! and that You can also drive the fun with kid-friendly controls, or use your finger or stylus to tap and trace on the touch screen! I know they will love the olivia game and anything princess 🙂 Thanks for the chance!
Amy, Using Our Words says
September 2, 2012 at 8:25 pmGreat features you mention here! Thanks so much for stopping by and commenting!
Betsy says
August 30, 2012 at 8:04 amThanks for this opportunity! My sister’s kids had these when they came to visit last month and my boys were super intrigued and wanted to play with them (and their cousins were good sharers, which was helpful :). I have always liked the Leapfrog products and appreciate that the LeapsterGS offers kid-friendly games that are fun AND educational as well as the camera/video options. My niece and nephew had made a few videos on their LeapsterGSs and they were really fantastic. I am not sure how you make the decision about who will receive one of these, but we hope we are one of the people you choose! Thanks again for your indepth review of this product!
Tabitha Pyle says
September 1, 2012 at 10:50 ami’d enjoy that it does so much and works well with many age groups.
Amy, Using Our Words says
September 2, 2012 at 8:25 pmSo true! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Jennifer Marie says
September 3, 2012 at 11:05 amWe would love the games! My older son has a DS and my little one doesn’t….maybe this would end the fighting?
*Probably not but it’s wishful thinking right? 🙂 *
Judy S says
September 4, 2012 at 2:40 pmThe camera feature would be loved by my grandsons.
headawson says
September 4, 2012 at 4:53 pmI think my kids would like the educational cartoons
denny says
September 4, 2012 at 6:15 pmthe games would be fun
Amy, Using Our Words says
September 5, 2012 at 12:34 pmAnd the winner is… Stephanie O! Many thanks to everyone who entered. I hope you’ll check out the LeapsterGS in stores!