leapster

I'm thinking about getting my 3 1/2 yr old son a leapster for xmas. Anyone have one? Do your kids love it? What are the good educational games?

Thanks!

 

I'm curious to read the responses. My Mom picked up one for DS and one for DD for Christmas.

 

We got two last year for xmas, and my kids were the same age as yours, 3 1/2. They didn't pick up on it right away. They played with it for a couple of days off and on and then stopped. Now, almost 1 year later, they can use the controls well and actually play some of the games without getting frustrated because they don't know what to do. Like anything, it just takes some getting used to for them. I don't have them out all the time b/c I would rather they play with other toys instead of electronics and I save it for special occasions when I really need them occupied - i.e. doctors office, long car rides, and the occassional rainy day when we have run out of other toys to play with.

I recommend getting a case for them. These have come in handy and they hold 2 extra cartridges. We don't have the charger but I hear that is worth it. They use 4 AA batteries, and although it does shut off automatically when not in use they do tend to burn through them quickly.

As for cartridge games, get the stuff that they are into. Mine like Diego, Spongebob, and Wall-E but they also like those shows/movies too. This Christmas I plan on getting Ki-Lan and Dinosaurs which I know will be big hits around our house. All the games tie in some kind of learning so you really can't go wrong.

HTH.

 

We got one for Leah at 4.5 and it was a great age. I dont know if she would have "gotten it" at 3.5. ardon: Definitely get a case!

 

My boys got them last Christmas at age 3.5. They loved them and still do. Both picked them up pretty quickly and are very good with them now. We love Diego, backyardigans, and I highly suggest Animal Genius at some point. We have some other games, but I'm drawing a blank right now. They are getting the 2 I Spy games for Christmas. At some point they will get the Dinosaur game too.

My boys have some games the same (2 of them), but I don't suggest getting them in that habit . Mine are better at sharing now so I get one of each and let them take turns.

They are great for in the car, waiting at the Drs., and in restaurants while we are waiting for our food to come.

After 6 months of changing the batteries every week, we invested in the chargers and they are highly worth it!

Mendy

 

Thanks for the feedback! Now I may re-consider but I think my son will be more ready than my twin daughter. He is into laptop and already mastered the mouse and laptop pad with toddlers game. I am thinking he can't go wrong figuring out how to play because Daddy is going to teach him and will learn quickly.

If I do buy it for this Christmas. Which game should we start with?
RJ

 

There are a lot of games from kids shows and movies (Diego, etc). I would get one from a show he currently likes because the interest will really be there .

Mendy

 

my girls like walle, disney princess, monster builder and the puppy game. we have dora and backyardagians but they seem almost too hard. they are just now starting to really get them. They got them last year for christmas

 

Mine got them last year for Christmas (3.5) but have really started to play in the last 2 months. They love the princess games and Dora. I am hoping that we can hold off one more year before they demand the N DS.

 

Thanks Mendy! I'll get him the Go Diego game since they both love watching Dora/Go Diego. I might attempt to buy just for my son and hold off my daughter's leapster until she 4. She doesn't have the same interest for that I am glad so they don't fight too much over the same thing! <wink>

Thanks again!
RJ