As anyone who reads this blog knows, I’ve been using and loving LeapFrog products for YEARS, and now I’m lucky enough to be a LeapFrog reviewer. What does this mean? It means that my boys and I get to try out all the newest LeapFrog gadgets (for FREE!) before they come out and give our honest opinion.

My boys, ages 9 and 7, have adored every LeapFrog toy they’ve had, from their sisters’ cast-off original LeapPads (a far different species than this latest creation) to their Leapsters, Leapster 2s, Tag Readers, and Leapster Explorers. We watched a preview of the LeapPad Explorer before it came out. After that, they were so excited to get it, they asked me every day, “Is it here yet????”

As expected, they love it. I’m thrilled that the games and apps work with BOTH the Leapster Explorer and the LeapPad because then we don’t have so many fights over who gets to play the new LeapPad.

I haven’t cracked and bought Nintendo DSs for my boys yet, even though they’ve been wanting them. They have their Leapsters and that has honestly been good enough, even when they’re around other kids who have DSs and my boys have their Leapsters instead. I’m happy because they are actually learning things and they’re happy because they get to play those all-so-important video games.

I decided to give the LeapPad a whirl myself to see what it was like. I’ve mostly relied on my boys’ input when reviewing LeapFrog products in the past, so this time, I decided to not even ask them what they like best and give my own opinion. There is no doubt that they love it.

PROS:

* A magnetic stylus, which is fairly easy to get in and out and less likely to get lost (I hope!). My youngest son cut the stylus off of every single Leapster we had in the past, which has been very frustrating.

* An EXTRA stylus, in case you do lose the original. =) (Fantastic idea, LeapFrog!)

* The Learning Path, which allows parents to keep track of their children’s learning progress online.

* Kid-friendly touch screen with nice, clear resolution.

* The camera and video recorder, which may be my kids’ favorite features. Combine those with the included Art Studio and you’ve got hours of fun for kids that like to play with their pictures. The camera is pretty low-resolution, but it serves its function and my boys don’t know any better yet.

* Art Studio! Lots of fun for kids and it gets their creativity and imagination going.

* The “All About Me” game, which allows kids to make books about themselves and share them via Facebook or email. I started my own book and had a lot of fun being creative with it.

* Ultra e-books, which are so cool! They’re interactive and give kids a new reading experience.

* It allows several player profiles and each profile keeps track of that specific child’s skill level. This is particularly nice because I remember in the small amount of time when my girls were still playing with their Leapsters (the original ones, I’m talking about here), their brothers would get on them and wreck their progress because there was no such thing as a different profile or log-in. I also love that the LeapPad, as well as the Leapster Explorer, does keep track of each kid’s progress.

* You can get new games and apps to continually challenge kids (more than 100 in the LeapFrog library!).

* Much better alternative to an iPad for younger kids. Of course it’s much more limited than an iPad, but it’s also a fraction of the cost.

* It’s educational, which is my very favorite thing about LeapFrog products. They know how to combine learning and fun in such a way that kids don’t even realize they’re actually learning something and not just playing a fun game. You can feel good about your kid using this as part of her allowed screen time because she’s not just playing mind-numbing games, but actually actively participating and stretching her learning skills.

CONS:

* Like most toys of this type, it sucks down batteries like Logan drinking chocolate milk. Thankfully, I usually have rechargeable ones ready to go.

* The apps and games aren’t cheap.

OVERALL:

I highly recommend the LeapPad Explorer. It’s a wonderful educational toy for kids and a great alternative to a DS or similar handheld game component. I want my kids to have fun, and there’s not much better than seeing them have fun AND learn something while they’re doing it.

Tomorrow, I will be reviewing several of the new LeapFrog cartridge games for the LeapPad and/or Leapster Explore, and next week, I will be doing a review and giveaway of the LeapFrog Tag Reader with a brand new book. In the meantime, here are the deets for getting in on this giveaway:

THE PRIZE:

A LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet, with ONE cartridge game and ONE App Center Download Card. This bundle is retail priced at $144!

TO ENTER:

♣  Leave a comment on my blog. Limit one comment per person, per day.

WANT BONUS ENTRIES?

♣ “Like” LeapFrog’s Facebook page. Leave a comment telling me you did it, as well as your Facebook profile name.

♣  Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email, then leave a comment letting me know.

♣  Tweet this giveaway and leave a comment with the link. (You can do this daily.) Optional phrasing for your Tweet: I’m entered to win a LeapPad Learning Tablet from @MomofTwinsPlus2. Check it out: http://tinyurl.com/44jvyw4.

♣  Post on your blog with a link about the giveaway and leave a comment with a link to your post.

♣  Follow my blog on Networked Blogs and leave a comment letting me know.

♣  “Like” my Facebook page, Parenting By Trial and Error, and leave a comment letting me know.

PLEASE READ: Giveaway ends at 11:59 p.m. Central Standard Time, Wednesday, November 16, 2011. Any comments left after this time will be deleted. Open to residents of the U.S. only. The winner will be chosen by using random.org. Winner will have 24 hours to respond to notification with shipping info. If no response, another winner will be chosen.

GOOD LUCK!
Have you entered my Tag Reader + Solar System Adventure Pack giveaway? Click here to enter!

Tags: educational games, giveaway, LeapFrog, LeapPad