Editorial Review

Designed for children in preschool through second grade, and easily portable, the Leapster multimedia learning system offers educational games, reading exercises, art tools, and interactive videos in one electronic device. Atop an ergonomic silver body sits a 4-inch, 12-bit color backlit display protected by a blue rubber shield. Slide a Leapster cartridge into the slot, and learn letters, sounds, colors, shapes, numbers, and more, using the touch-screen stylus and multi-directional control pad. This unit comes with a bonus cartridge of six learning games; other Leapster cartridges are sold separately. Control knobs let you adjust volume and brightness; there's also a stereo headphone jack. Required are four AA batteries, not included. --Andy Boynton ... Read more

Reviews (293)

Best $$ ever spent-just bought 2nd
I wouldn't be able to praise this toy enough. We gave it to our oldest daughter last Christmas when she was 3 1/2. We were concerned because of the price but compared to a GameBoy we prefered the educational aspect. We have never regreted the purchase. She loves playing with it and has even mastered basic math skills well ahead of time. We had a problem with the screen not responding after about 6 months but it only took a quick email to Leap Frog and they replaced it with our only expense being a few dollars to ship it to them. They have excellent Customer Service. We would have even invested the money to buy a new unit if they hadn't replaced it. <br /> <br /> We have just purchased a unit for our 19 month old daughter because she always wants to share big sister's. I know the age is 4-10 but our little one just loves the characters and even though she doesn't totally understand what to do, she still loves playing. It has helped her to master control of the stylus and she is now much better at coloring too. We have a few extra cartridges and plan on expanding for Christmas. <br /> <br /> We haven't had a problem with battery consumption. This toy definitely hasn't eaten batteries nearly as quickly as others and my older daughter plays with it almost every day. She would play with it more if I would allow it. But we still plan on buying the recharging system too.<br /> <br /> I highly recommend the investment in the carrying case also.<br /> <br /> You just can't go wrong with this toy.

my grandson
I purchased the LeapFrog Leapster for my grandson as a Christmas gift when he was 2 years old. His mom gave it to him when we was 21/2, he absolutely loves it and has learned so much. I like the durability, educational theme and the add ons, it just keeps getting better and better.

Love It
My son was given this on his 4th b-day, he absolutely loves it and so do I! It has taught him alot and the only reason I rated a 4 and not a 5 is because of the battery situation!! Ouch!

Battery Eater!
My son got this toy for his 4th birtday. He truly loves it, but it's a battery eater! I cannot believe how quickly this toy drains 4 AA batteries. Thank goodness they are coming out with a recharging unit soon or we'd go broke!

BEST $ EVER SPENT !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've never written a review before, but feel I have to about this product. It is the BEST money spent on my daughter ever!!!! My daughter got this for Christmas when she was 3 1/2 years old. She has played with it every day. At night we read books to her and then let her do her Leapster for a little while. We just purchased The Letter Factory for our last trip....and she already knows ALL the letter phonics....it is just amazing!!!!! We have never had a problem with it in 7 months...and we just put new batteries in it for the first time. I so highly reccomend this toy!!!!! ... Read more

Editorial Review

LeapFrog is well known for their interactive learning toys and now they've paired with Disney for a princesses' tour of language and math. Cinderella and Belle will help guide your child through various learning activities, such as: letter hunt, spelling games, addition and subtraction games, and number find. Both Belle and Cinderella tell jokes, sing songs, and are generally encouraging with sweet and cheerful voices. If your child decides to stop playing and doesn't turn the laptop off, the princesses ask, "Would you like to play some more?" and if there is no answer, the computer shuts itself off. An LCD screen displays letters, numbers, and other pictures during all the activities. Moms and dads will be glad to note that there are two volumes and virtually no set-up. Requires 4 "AA" batteries (included). --Megan Sullivan ... Read more

Reviews (10)

Best toy in the house
My 2 1/2 year old received this toy as a gift. She ABSOLUTELY loves her "puter". I fill my house with fun and educational toys and this one is hands down the best. She has been playing with it for a few weeks now and can sing her ABC's from A-K. All her friends want to play with it as well. I only wish they had a "boy" version so my son could have one of his own.

Another good one from LeapFrog
My mother and I were having a garage sale and I very much wanted to clean out and get rid of some toys. After explaining the concept to my daughter that if she sold some toys, she could buy some new ones. Well with her money, she picked this out of everything in the huge toy store. She loves it, she takes it in the car on trips, plays with it at the kitchen table while I am cooking. It's great, educational and something to grow with!

A fun "umputer".
I love it and I am 34yrs old.
My 4yr old loves it. And, as far as I am concerned that is all that matters. The sound, the colors, the characters and the keys all all conducive to the purpose that it was intended for.
I bought it for my daughter so she could use it when I was on our family computer.
The only thing (and its not a big thing)is that I wish the screen was bigger.
I would highly recommend it or buy it as a gift.
d

Disney's Laptop by LeapFrog
My daughter Lily got this for her 3rd birthday. We have always loved LeapFrog products. This was her favorite present, hands down. My 6 and 9 year olds even love it! I am really impressed by how many things it does. After playing with it for a day Lily can identify some letters and numbers. The music is great, and I LOVE that there is a high low switch, making it a quiet toy as well as a learning toy!

A perfect laptop for your Princess!
Our 3.5 yr old got this for Christmas and LOVES having "my own 'puter". It is easy for her to open for herself and she loves to hear her favorite characters speaking to her! She likes the activity that sounds out words as you type in letters, and gets so excited when she actually makes a word! She also really likes the counting activity. This laptop has been banged around and dropped several times and it is in perfect working condition. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Baby Tad is a wonderful interactive toy that makes early learning fun andeasy. Baby Tad (short for tadpole) helps your preschooler learn shapes, colors, activities,and songs. When your little one presses a colored light-up button, Tad identifies the colorand shape indicated on the button. With his cheerful demeanor and infectious laugh, Tadoffers support and encouragement and will quickly become a close and trusted friend.Besides various greetings,a squeeze of Tad's hand brings forth favorite children's songs, sung in a squeaky, high-pitched voice. --Alison Golder ... Read more

Reviews (310)

better then expected
My 2 year old daughter got this last Christmas. My first thought was she was to old for it,I was wrong. She plays with Tad, regularly and is now 3. She love to sing to the songs. I love that it turns it self off. The batteries are still going strong.<br />

leapfrog tad
My 18-mo. old received this gift for his first christmas. He loves it so much. it goes everywhere with him!

Baby Tad is a lifesaver!
My daughter got Baby Tad as a gift when she was 6 months old.At first she ignored it.Now she loves listening to the nursery rhymes during playtime.I would sing along with Baby Tad first then eventually my baby would hum along with us!Most helpful is the 6 minutes worth of Lullaby/Classical songs.When it's sleep time,I would just have Baby Tad play the lullabies and usually in 6 munutes my baby is asleep!We bring Baby Tad during long car trips too.The nursery rhymes keep my baby occupied when she's bored with her other toys and the lullabies help her settle into a nap when she's tired and sleepy.A true lifesaver!

We all LOVE TAD
I love this toy. It has two volumes (loud/soft) and it plays sleepy music (you can set the minutes) and it is easy for little kids to push. My daughter got this gift at age 10 months now she is almost three and still loves to play with him. She really loves the kiss noises he makes (lips on his cheek). This was worth the MONEY!!

Learning to hug
I love this toy for the fact that it taught our 8 month old daughter to hug everything in sight. Her's makes kissing noises and says "I love you" when you press the kiss on the cheek. She was a hug enthusiast after just a few days of playing with it! Now that she is 16 months old she is starting to understand the reward system for playing with the light buttons and has learned about turning it on and off by using the hands and foot. The tunes it sings are all her favorites now. My only regret is that I didn't buy it for her sooner. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Outfitted in orange and purple, this electronic learning system for preschoolers plugs directly into a television, and at first take looks a lot like a video-game console. Insert any of Vtech's "Smartridges" into the unit for lessons on language, math, phonics, problem-solving, music, and more. Children can choose between two difficulty levels. Included are a large joystick, adjustable to right- and left-handed kids, and an Alphabet Park Adventure cartridge; other cartridges are sold separately. There's also a storage compartment on top that holds up to six cartridges. The system can run on either three C batteries or an AC adaptor; strangely, neither are included. --Andy Boynton ... Read more

Reviews (11)

your gonna need batteries
the ac adapter is extra, and the unit runs on 3 c batteries! otherwise it is perfect for the school age child...the controller and joy stick is large enough for small hands.. the games may requier parental help at first, but they are quickly learned...my kids love it.

little kid friendly!
my 2 boys (ages 3 & $) received this as a gift and they are fascinated by it. I did find the additional control at Target and bought it along with the SpiderMan cartridge. It is fairly easy to use and very kid friendly for tough little boys who like to use their feet and hands! The cartridges are by age and the levels are very easy. Once they master one level they can move up to more difficult levels. What I really like about this toy is that it is educational and not violent like most of the other video games out in the market today. I like it so much, I'm giving it to several on my gift list for the Holidays. Another retailer (online) is $10 cheaper but you have to pay shipping.

Not impressed
I have two boys, 3 and 4 years old. We also have many video game systems, XBox and Playstations 1 and 2, I was originally going to get the boys a used Super Nintendo, but I saw V.Smile and thought it was more created for their ages and less likely to end up broken as quickly as any other console.<br /> I was upset that the 9 Volt adapter didn't come with the system, I actually think it is because V.Tech is a "rookie" when it comes to game systems like this.We expect to have to buy another remote,like all other game systems make you do, but most game consoles come with the accesories needed to make it run properly. It is designed to be a learning video game system for Preschool age to age 8, but I couldn't imagine a normal 8 year old or 7 year old enjoying it as much as other game systems. <br /> I also was upset and returned the first V.smile I got, because the learning system would shut off and I would play with the batteries replace the batteries and blow in the game and game slot, I noticed sometimes the game would come on even though I pulled it out and it would make my TV screen all disarray. I exchanged it for another and the new one does the same thing. VTech should be more on top of things. I even called the company at 1-800-521-2010 to ask if they have had many complaints. I do not know why VTech would sell the V.Smile without the adapter if it doesn't work properly alone on 3 C batteries. A parent should not have to go in there every 5 minutes or everytime the child changes games. If it is designed to run mostly on an adapter it should say so and include this feature with their product. I do not think it is worth the price, and hassle, but its okay as far as the activitie sthe games play. <br /> All I know is if you think you are going to get your kids to leave you alone for a minute while they play, then you are mistaken, lots of "mommy come help me" because the game has shut off. Even my husband who can fix anything gets annoyed when he plays with it for a while. One of these days, probably after their 90 day warranty expires, the system will probably shut off and never turn back on. Other then that, it is OK, my kids love it, and the games are nice because they are made similar to the Nintendo games, that won't break or scratch like a CD.

Good but.......
The system is great, but......<br /> The extra controller is no where to be found! IT IS NOT AVAILABLE through V-Tech even though the customer service rep said they had 1000's in the warehouse. They can't sell me one because they have no way to take payment. <br /> Try explaining that to twin 4 year olds who argue over the controller and whose turn it is. The adapter was also very hard to find. <br /> Why would a company even consider merchandising something as awesome as this before making all the necessary items readily available? If you have as much trouble as I did locating the adapter, buy yourself a ton of batteries!

extra controller
I haven't actually used this product yet (with the exception of the display in the toy store....loved it!), but I did stumble upon an extra controller in Target. I grabbed it up because I haven't seen it sold anywhere else (and it was the only one on the shelf) and I knew if I waited, chances are I wouldn't get my hands on one until January. ... Read more

Reviews (157)

Great toy
My son recieved this toy for christmas when he was 2 years only. I was amazed to see how much he learned from the songs that the toy plays with each letter. He also learned to sing his abc's from this toy. I would recommend this toy to anyone who wants to give their child a head start in learning

Great Educational Toy
My niece learned the whole alphabet and all the sounds the letters make before she was two years old with this toy. She absolutely loves it.

Great Gift
Best of all, they're too big to get kicked under the fridge!! Fun songs, great volume control, interesting for many ages.

Great Toy
I bought this for my daughters first birthday,she's 2 now and still playing with it, she learned the alphabet,colors like nothing she runs/walks around the house singing her abc's over and over, this is honestly the best educational fun toy I spent money on and she has fun learning.

Great Educational Toy
I bought this for my daughter for her 2nd birthday. She plays with it all the time. It has really helped her learn her alphabet and how the letters are pronounced. ... Read more

Editorial Review

LeapFrog's range of educational toys is exceptional, and this interactive flipbook really has that "wow" factor. In the box it looks like an innocent book, but once assembled it provides absolutely hours of entertainment with a preschool teaching focus. The book reads the text to the child, then its magic pen allows the child to touch the text and reread difficult words. Rather like a computer game, the pictures in the page also respond to touch. Each page has two to three games on it where the child has to answer questions on the text or the pictures. The child only needs to respond with the pen, so children as young as 3 can easily play all the games. LeapFrog has made sure that this two-sided book packs in all the elements of a balanced preschool curriculum. Numbers, phonics, prereading, and numeracy skills come alive through the activities. Both nonfiction and fiction text are included with a variety of musical activities. There is even a volume control on each page for weary parents on those long car journeys! Be prepared with four AA batteries (not included) and a small screwdriver. The instructions included are not specific, but the illustrations on the box are self-explanatory. Perfect for a rainy day or a long journey, My First LeapPad provides great value for the money, as your child will be entertained and educated for hours. --Jo Fitzgerald

My First LeapPad is a sturdy unit with an integral speaker and a magic pen, which reads the spiral flipbook included with the set. Other books and cartridges can be bought and used with the same unit. My First LeapPad flipbook consists of both an interactive story introducing the characters of Leap and his family, and (once you have flipped the book) a selection of interactive games pages which encourage learning of numbers, colors, shapes, and music making. A pleasant and encouraging voice reads the story, which is written on the page, or if just one word is touched, the voice says that one word, encouraging word recognition. In game mode, the voice asks the child to find a specific number, color, or object and gives praise when the child succeeds. The pad is easy to use, provided children remember to always touch the Go button with the magic pen every time they turn a page. If they forget, the pen will read from another page, which causes much confusion! After a few tries, mine soon got the hang of it and could play independently. Everything is worked using the pen, including the volume control, and the pen is impossible to lose as it is attached securely to the unit. In comparison to their interactive PC games, the LeapPad failed to hold my children’s attention for prolonged periods, and although I found it amazing that the pen could recognize so many different words and objects, they were less easily impressed. There is no movement, unlike in a PC game. On the other hand, the unit is portable, so can be played anywhere, unlike the PC. The unit certainly has lots of educational value and is well made and durable. A large selection of interactive books can be purchased separately, so once the children are comfortable using the magic pen, they can try other activities. They can also choose more difficult material, ensuring that the pad grows with your child. --Rachel Elvidge

In common with other LeapFrog products, My First LeapPad is exceptionally well designed to be both educational and fun. The unit itself and attached pen are chunky enough for little fingers, and the single large button, integral carrying handle, and bright color will make it appealing and easy to use for preschoolers. My First LeapPad comes with a ring-bound book and accompanying cartridge which fit easily into the unit (you also need four AA batteries, not included). Placed right side up the book reads through a simple story, and when turned over the reverse sides contain a wealth of activities and games to play. For anyone who hasn’t previously seen the unique way that simply touching the pages with the pen produces voices and noises of all sorts, it seems like a miracle! Even for those who are familiar with it, it is still endlessly fascinating, and each page has lots of scope for discovery. The clear English voices read the story in sentences or single words as well as introducing games and activities involving music and instruments, shapes and color, reading, numbers, counting, matching, and much more. Each picture reveals a whole world of sound effects, voices, and speech from the characters according to the individual touches the child makes with the pen on the page. This makes play genuinely interactive and absorbing, and hugely valuable in terms of learning and pleasure. I recommend this product highly; it is suitable for all levels of learning between under 3 years and over 5, with each age range getting different benefits at different stages of development. --Caroline Parsons

My First LeapPad learning system by LeapFrog is a portable electronic toy incorporating the format of a flip-over book which teaches children to master skills such as writing, basic numbers, ABCs, phonics, listening, and comprehension. The desk layout includes a side handle and a special touch-sensitive pen which gives children the opportunity to develop the coordination required when they begin to write. With the pen the user can activate the different activities such as touching pictures to hear them come alive, touching words to hear them read aloud, playing a game by pressing the lily pad sign with the magic pen, activating a new page, listening to music, or adjusting the volume. The unit comes with an activity book, Leap’s Big Day. Leap is a frog with a happy voice and an English accent who introduces us to his family and different activities on each page. Although the toy is labeled for children aged 3 years and over, the activities are not incredibly difficult and would also suit a slightly younger child. For example, number work only goes up to five, and the page on what Leap will be when he grows up gives the child a number of pictorial choices and they have to select just one answer to say what a firefighter would need at work (hose, hat, boots), or what a doctor would need (stethoscope, white coat, etc.). All activities require use of the pen, which does require a steady hand at times. More books are available to buy separately, with titles such as Leap to the Moon, featuring Leap again, and Pooh's Honey Tree, which features Winnie the Pooh. The books are double-sided with a story side, which is interactive, and an activity side. The battery-powered toy provides preschoolers with a good introduction to interactive learning aids, including computers, and promotes readiness for reading and writing. --Sarah McNamara

This is a nice-sized interactive electronic learning game by LeapFrog. It consists of the LeapPad unit with carrying handle and a small, easy-to-maneuver electronic pen attached. There is a compact microchip unit which plugs into the side and a cardboard flipbook which attaches to the front. The book has two sides: a story side and an activity side. The sound is activated by touching the green Go circle on the page with the electronic pen. On the story side of the book this triggers a female English voice which reads aloud the words on the page. Your child can then touch each word with the pen to have these read aloud, or touch objects and characters on the page to hear them speak. There is a lily pad and a note symbol at the bottom of each page. When touched with the pen, the voice leads your child through games such as finding objects and people on the page. The activity side is centered on learning games such as parts of the body, colors, shapes, and counting. My First LeapPad is designed for preschool children to teach prereading and premath skills. It contains over 30 games and activities and is indicated to be suitable for ages 3 and over. My son will sit and play with the LeapPad on his own for a short time, but is only 3 and a half, and prefers me to help and guide him a little. My First LeapPad is a good learning aid and value for money as the flipbooks can be replaced with different books in the range to keep your child interested in learning. --Julie Illingworth

Learning to read has never been so fun, until now. This interactive system is an ideal tool for teaching various skills important in early years. My First LeapPad teaches ABCs, numbers, phonics, prereading skills, and premath skills. When children encounter the LeapPad for the first time, they may choose to participate in an interactive story book Leap's Big Day (included) or alternatively they may play 30 games and activities. If they choose a story they will be amazed at how involved they can become and how much they will learn. The games and activities on the reverse of the flipbook feature counting and singing songs as well as a section on parts of the body. The LeapPad comprises a spiral interactive flipbook that when used with the integral magic pen enables the story to come alive! The child may touch words and hear them read aloud or if they touch pictures in the story they too will make appropriate sound effects. This system is certainly an innovative concept that makes learning to read exciting while also challenging. --Tiffany Prescott ... Read more

Reviews (195)

The Leapster is better than this
This is frustrating to my daughter, because if the book isn't placed just right on the pad, it doesn't work correctly....if it is a little off, it will give an incorrect answer...when the answer was actually correct. I do however, highly reccommend the Leap Frog Leapster....it is amazing...and my daughter has learned so much from it....including the sound each letter makes. I also recommend the Leap Frog Phonics writing desk.

Great Ariplane toy too!
We purchased this a while back for my son who is now 3. He LOVES it. I enjoy watching match things too and seeing his little thought process at work. He also just went to Disney World and brought this on the plane. IT was GREAT to keep him occupied for the 2 hour flight. He loved showing the flight attendant how smart he is. :) I love the fact that it doesn't get old because you can buy different books to go with it so it's a toy that keeps on changing.

Fun But Not Durable
We bought this for our daughter when she was 2 1/2 years old. She loved it and we only allowed her to play with it when we were sitting with her. We were actively involved in teaching her how to use it. By the time she got the hang of it, just a few months later, it started not reading the cartridges. We would save money to buy additional books and by the time we had 3 the LeapPad was erroring out when reading from the cartridge.

Sometimes we can get it to work by blowing on the cartridge and the contact spot on the LeapPad and sometimes we end up wedgeing a paper in the hole with the cartridge. It seems to be the only way to get it to work.

In my opinion a product of this price should last longer than four months. I was sincerely disapointed to see no help on the website for how to fix this problem. Their warranty is only 3 months for this expensive kids toys.

My daughter has since learned to use the computer and it has served us much better than the LeapPad ever has.

Keeps My 3 Year Old Busy
My 3 year old daughter loves her My First LeapPad. She has spent countless hours playing with it. There are plenty of books to choose from and lots of activites in each book. We take it with on car rides and it keeps her busy. She has learned to change the books and corresponding cartridges on her own so it's not difficult to use. I highly recommend this product.

Junk
It's a real shame that this toy is so poorly constructed. It would be great if it would continue to work for more than a month. My children love it and we are working on our THIRD one and IT just broke. I reccomend skipping this skipping this toy and just investing in a computer and good software. ... Read more

Reviews (53)

Great for a sitting baby
When I first read the reviews for this before buying it there were a lot that said that a downside was that it was too heavy for the baby to really manipulate, but I bought it anyway because I really liked it and because it was on sale. For the first few months we had it my son really wasn't interested because he couldn't play with it on his stomach or back, but when he turned 5 months and learned to sit it quickly became one of his favorite toys. He plays with it everday for 10-15 minutes at a time, a long time compared to his other toys, and hasn't shown any signs of tiring. The music is wonderful and the colors are bright and attractive. The heavy weight of the toy, I have found, is actually a plus because it helps it to stay sun side up while he is playing with it. I would highly recommend this toy, but just wait until they are sitting and can really play with it

Great for babies and toddlers
My daughter loves this toy and so do we! We also enjoyed the fact that it played music from Peter and the Wolf. This is a great toy that I would definitely recommend!!!!!

great buy
I bought this for my grandson when he was born and took it to the hospital for him.He was premature and had a few health problems among them acid reflux. From the very beginning the music has had a very calming affect on him. The nurses even let my daughter keep it near his bed and played it for him quite a bit. Now at 3 months he still loves it and it works like a charm to calm him down when he's fussy. LIke one of the other reviewers, I to thought it would be larger than it is but---its still a good size toy. It is brightly colored, has flashing lights to get the baby's attention, each sun ray has something different for the baby to do, there's a sound adjustment and the music is the clearest I've ever heard on an infant toy. This is absolutely worth the money (I now have one at my house to) and I would advise anyone to purchase this--(...)

Great toy for the price
my 6 mo. daughter really likes this toy. It has two volume levels and can be set to be motion activated or to play continuously. The classical music is supposed to stimulate baby's mind. She cried the first time she saw it (a couple of months ago) but really enjoys it now. If it scares your baby, try again later. I really like the teether on it because at this age she wants to put everything in her mouth. Also,one corner crinkles, one feels like a beanbag and one squeaks.

My nephew loves it
I bought it for him even though I thought the music and the face were kind of wierd, but he loved it from 1 month & he still loves it at 1 year. My sister says the music is not too loud, and that it's soothing. & Now this is the first toy my husband wants to get for our baby. ... Read more

Editorial Review

Well-designed with lots of terrific detail, Learning Resources' Calculator Cash Register completely satisfies a young child's hunger to play with bills, coins, cash drawers, and big numbers. The chiming cash register features a built-in solar calculator as its keypad, thus allowing kids to act as bankers, shopkeepers, and accountants all at once. A large cash drawer holds life-sized bills in four denominations (1, 5, 10, and 20), and four coin holders make room for embossed plastic pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters. There is even a credit card slot that dings when you correctly slide the faux VISA card through it.A suggested-activities booklet is included. Requires a 1.5V button cell battery (included) to make the chiming noise. No assembly required. Winner of awards from Dr. Toy, FamilyFun Magazine, and Oppenheim Toy Portfolio. ... Read more

Reviews (21)

It's the most popular toy at my house!
This cash register is a favorite at my house! We often have children from ages two to six visiting, and this is the first toy that many of them go to. The calculator makes beeping noises that the kids enjoy, and the cash drawer opens and closes with a satisfying click. I've enjoyed teaching my son the value of money and how to use a calculator with this toy.

Can't Live Without It
We were at a friends house last night and she had this toy for her 3 year old son. My 2 year old daughter could not stop playing with it. She simply loved opening the drawer and handing out the money to each person in the room. She would then collect the money and put it back. This activity kept her busy for an hour and it would have been longer except for the fact we needed to leave. I have bought her other cash register toys but none have been as realistic or kept her interest as long as this one did. I am buying one for her now and can only hope that she loves it as much as she did last night.

This is the funniest toy ever
When I got this toy i played with it for such along time and still do. You only spend $29.99 on it and it is money well spent. You make the right choice if you get this toy. The age group i would say is probably 5-whenever. Let me tell you parents what when my mom and dad got this for me i lovedit and it made me happy for so long.Three words for this toy.
MONEY WELL SPENT!!!!!!!!! FUN
so you should get this toy. KNOW dont think twice get it...NOW
dont forget get the scanner and bar codes* that go with it.
*SOLD SEPARTLEY

A preschool favorite
I'm buying this toy for my son's 3rd birthday because he makes a beeline to it everytime we go to our parent-child preschool class. He usually sets up a toy phone nearby, too. I get to be the customer and bring a basket of toy food to him which he "scans" on the notepad area. It's nice when toys leave something to the imagination. He loves the play bills and coins and pretending to make change. I believe that this toy will grow with my child and still be fun for him in a few years.

I figure that if this toy has survived daily use by multiple 2-4 year olds, it will survive around our house. If it doesn't, then I will update this posting!!!

hits money learning right on the head
I bought this for my daughter five years ago when she turned 4... it is still a household favorite. The design is good and it has held up well despite its being knocked around a fair amount.

The display is large and easy to read. The play money, which was one of my primary concerns, is realistically sized and marked. There is plenty of it to play with and make change too. The credit card is a nice touch which slides into a slot with a beep.

The sticky note space isn't as useful or cool as I thought it could have been, but I think sticky notes tend to just get ripped off of the pad and spread across the room by most children.

Now that my daughter is older, she still plays with it as well as putting it to use while running her punch & shaved ice stand in the summer. I feel like this was a good purchase and I would recommend it as a sturdy playset with high educational potential. ... Read more

Editorial Review

This electronic writing desk teaches kids the alphabet, letter sounds, letter formation,spelling, and word creation in a fun, interactive format. Kids can choose from sixgames: letters, a letters quiz, phonics, a phonics quiz, spelling, and "create-a-word."In the letters game, children push a letter to hear its name and see how it is formedon the LCD screen; players can also write their own letters on the "magic" writing screen.In the spelling game, children learn to spell simple words. In the phonics game, childrenfirst hear a letter and then are given a short word as an example. Along the way, thealways-helpful LeapFrog "coach" offers lots of cheerful hints so children won't getstuck in any of the exercises. Additional features include an automatic shut-off, anoversize pullout handle, a variety of comical sounds for incorrect answers, and atwo-position volume control. --Tami Horiuchi ... Read more

Reviews (75)

a FUN FILLED phonics and alphabet toy
We bought this toy 3 Christmas's ago, for Joseph our 2 1/2 year old (He is now 5 1/2). He had personally asked for the Phonics Writing Desk and he has played with it for hours on end. I think it was an assest in his ability to read before going to Kindergarten. He now has renewed interested in it since his 3 year old brother Benjamin is constantly playing with it. Ben especailly loves it that he can write his name BEN with it and then it actually says his name. He has learned to write about 30 three letter words in the past two weeks. Some of his favorites include; Mom, Dad, jet, jam, eye, ear, hid, and bed. Ben has learned how to write a lot of his letters from watching the toy. The place to write on has been ruined for quite a while - but he tries it on paper after watching the machine show how to form each letter.

From a mother of 5 boys

great toy
My 2 year-old LOVES this toy! He's too young to write the letters, but he is learning to spell and knows the alphabet VERY well and I think this toy is part of the reason. I find it pretty loud and the repetitive phrases are annoying, but I think that it's because he plays with it so much. I would not have expected him to love this toy so much at this age, but he has really enjoyed all of his Leap Frog toys, so I'm sold on them!

only LF toy I ever returned!!!!!!
I love leap frog toys, my 3 y/o has many. I usually find them very educational. However, this toy didn't live upto my expectations. I wanted a toy to help him learn to write letters. My child learns very quickly with encouragement and correcting. At 3 he's reading at a 2nd grade level and writting somewhat legible (no thanks to this toy). This toys tells the name and phonic of each letter. The LF train, Little Leap and Leap pad do the same thing in the same way. I bought it for the writting lesson. It shows how to write them in 'computer style' not real handwritting. The reason I was so disapointed in it was that they can write anything in the spot and the toy tells them it's right. My son scribbled in the area and was told he did great. It wasn't teaching him anything. Sitting down and writting with the child, making sand letters and letting him trace with his finger and plain old letting him expierment with a pen and paper worked better than this thing. I took it back shortly after buying it.

Learning to write!
If you want to teach your kid how to write the letters and don't know where or how to start, this toy is your answer. It not only holds their interest, it makes learning fun too. It teaches both uppercase and lower case letters. Most toys teach kids how to reconize letters but this one is step ahead and also teaches them their phonics so it's definately a must have!

Boring
I think that this is a educational toy for children but is not pleasurable to look at so it would be apealing to the child considering so many toys look like this (boring). ... Read more

Editorial Review

Made by Fisher-Price, this electronic learning system is comprised of an InteracTV DVD, which you insert into your home DVD player; a controller; and activity cards based on popular children's television shows. Plug an activity card into the controller, and games and activities featuring that show will appear on the TV screen. Nine touch points let kids interact with the characters, in lessons covering numbers, colors, animals, and more. Cards contain more than 100 learning questions and activities, posed randomly. This model comes with three activity cards--SpongeBob SquarePants, Dora the Explorer, and Elmo's World--as well as a storage case to hold the cards and the DVD. A switch on the controller enables you to use the system on up to three different DVD players--say, in multiple rooms, or at relatives' houses. --Andy Boynton ... Read more

Reviews (6)

good toy but needs work
My three year old just recieved this toy for his birthday, and I was a little worried that he was not going to be able to work it on his own. To my amazment he picked it up, and began playing. Some of the screens that it wants you to interact with are a little advanced for him, but it helps you along the way. My only complaint is getting it to work with your dvd player. We went out and bought a new dvd player for him, and we have tried everything to get it to work. When we moved it to another dvd player it works fine! The directions for quick set up were anything but easy. I think the manufactor needs to work on this toy, but it is a good idea!!!

Excellent
My daughter just received this for her third birthday and all she wants to do is play with it. She is really practicing her numbers and paying attention to what is happening so she can find the right answer. Money well spent.

fun and educational
I bought this for my daughter who loves all of the characters that are featured on the trial DVD. She just loves it. She sits for an hour playing all of the games. She is 3yrs old and can put the DVD in and start the game on her own. The sensor is able to reach the DVD player from various locations in our living room. Interac TV is very fun and educational!! I am very glad that I purchased it. We will be buying them for other children that we know for Christmas.

Not impressed either
We received this toy as a gift for our 2 year old. It didn't work correctly, as the buttons on the right upper portion were not functional. After much frustration between our 2 year old, 3 year old and both parents and grandparents, we took the toy back to Target to Exchange for a 'working' toy. Got it home, just to find that it was less functional than the first toy we had. Now, the kids don't even want to play with it, and don't want another one. Much mental anguish, and we don't even know who to contact directly to let them know that this product is dysfunctional.

Not impressed
We bought this for our 4 yr old's birthday. We're wishing we would've saved our money & gotten something else that works better. Everytime you start up the device, it acts as if you have to reprogram it all over again (you're supposed to only have to program it once for each DVD player in the home). A couple of times, we HAVE had to reprogram it, which is time consuming & frustrating. This confuses our child & she has lost interest in it, really quick. ... Read more

Editorial Review

This pretend cash register may seem like all fun and games to your little one but is actually teaching him coin and money values, coin identification, numbers, counting, and quantities. The register comes with a stack of play pennies, nickels, dimes, and quarters, all encased in easy-to-handle plastic chips. In explore mode, the smart coin reader on the register identifies all coins as kids drop them in, teaching their name and value. Four additional price tags represent larger monetary values and as kids slide price tags over the flashing scanner or drop coins in the register, they learn how to add values together and make totals. Kids can also set the register to price check mode to play a fun game that teaches number identification. Final checkout reinforces numbers, coins, and coin combinations once again and plays a fun song when the register opens. Throughout playtime, kids will receive encouragement and requests to keep playing from the LeapFrog's friendly voice. --Cristina Vaamonde ... Read more

Reviews (43)

Fun toy but hard keep up with!
I love this toy becouse it teaches my boys about money. The only thing I don't like is that the money always gets stuck in the slot. It does have an opening to get the money out, but you need a screwdriver. So every time they put the money in to quickly after another, I have to go find my hand screwdriver. My boys have a great time playing with this cash register. If this one ever broke, I would go out and by another one. It is the best on I have found.

The best cash register yet!
Ever since my kids got this for Christmas last year they have not quite playing with it. Plus I think it's great because it interacts with out leap frog shopping cart. my kids play for hours with it, a great toy!

Excellent for fun and learning!
We gave this cash register to our 4 yr. old and 2 yr. old last Christmas. It has since been used for countless games of "Store" and is still working and looking great (5 months later). As a parent and home educator, my favorite feature is the coins, which are made to resemble actual coins, but are surrounded by color-coded plastic rings to help children learn to identify the correct amounts. The price scanners are another neat, unique function, as the kids can customize price amounts for their store "merchandise."

My children remain interested in this toy, partially because cash registers just add to the fun of pretend play, and perhaps partially due to the four different modes of play. I appreciate the volume control button, too!

I can understand the complaint about coins getting stuck, but we have never had any real problems with this. They really only get jammed if a child loads too many coins in the slot at once. Our children have learned to remove the coins after inserting just a few.

Bottom line: I highly recommend this toy if you are looking for a high-quality cash register, or just an exciting means of learning math concepts.

Jams unacceptably
We have most of leapfrog's other products, they are usually great. This toy, however, has a product defect. The problem is that the coins jam both internally (there is an afterthought "door" secured with a screw to access internal jams) as well as externally in the coin return tray. When I say "Jams" I mean "Jams almost immediately". As in "within 30 seconds of play". To remove the jam you need a screwdriver and knife - not what you want you use around toddlers. Children cannot "unjam the toy". Unacceptable. If they can fix this issue, it will be an outstanding toy as it is compatible with their shopping cart (highly recommended) as well. It is one of the favorites at playgroup, which is a contributing factor to it jamming (several hands playing with it at once).

After speaking with Leapfrog, customers that own this toy and are experiencing jamming should register their product with leapfrog so that they may be contacted when a fix is available for the problem. Leapfrog is aware of the issue.

Worst Leapfrog product ever
We have most of leapfrog's other products, most are great. This toy, however is awful. The main problem is that the coins jam both internally (there is an afterthought "door" secured with a screw to access internal jams) as well as externally in the coin return tray. When I say "Jams" I mean "Jams almost immediately". As in "within 30 seconds of play". To remove the jam you need a screwdriver and knife - not what you want you use around toddlers. Children cannot "unjam the toy". Totally unacceptable.

This problem brought to light a reprehensible policy of Leapfrog - they won't take any returns or exchanges for non-manufacturing defects. This was bought as a gift for my daughter, it was purchased in a distant city, and we cannot return the product to the retailer.

Rotten toy, and a rotten custom service attitude - last time I will give this company my money... ... Read more

Reviews (17)

My son loves this toy!
My son received this toy for his 3rd birthday and he loves it! He carried it around with him all day and even brought it to bed with him that night. The songs are great but I do wish they sang the words to the popular kids songs. Although I don't find it especially educational, it's a great toy for a child who loves to listen and sing along to music.

Great fun for the next American Idol
Great fun for the little entertainer. I would recommend removing the microphone (long cord) if your child is under 3 years old.

It's ok
I thought this would be a cool toy but my kids don't seem to think so. It has been sitting in the toy room ever since we got it and very rarely is it touched. We don't even recognize most of the song on there. NOT a must have

We really like it.
My son is nowhere near the recommended age for this toy, but at 15 months he loves it anyway. I got it because it was on sale and set it on his toy shelf. He points to it and demands me to bring it to him. I take off the mic because the cord is a choking hazard. Other than that, the toy seems safe for him to play with. He loves pushing the buttons. He also likes watching the lights. I personally think this toy is more appropriate for a toddler than a four-year-old because I imagine a four-year-old would have moved on to toys like Leapster.

My gripe is that there are no lyrics to the songs that are played. They are very simple songs, like Pop Goes The Weasel, but I find myself going "All the cobbler's bench. A hum huma humahummm." because I can't quite remember the words. Also some of the songs are Leapfrog songs, for example "Upper case letter are big and tall" or something like that.

Basically, though the songs are cute. One that is in my head right now goes "Manny manny moo. Moo moo. Zanny zanny zoo. Zoo zoo." Simple, cute song.

3 year old loves it
Picked this up for my son's 3rd birthday. He has it in bed with him right now. Hasn't even needed the microphone for it yet (didn't want to worry about him strangling himself with cord in bed at this point). There are enough songs that he has only scratched the surface. He likes the animations (little red dots of light). Reinforces counting and the alphabet, introduces phonics songs. As he gets older, introducing the microphone and the singalong songs (Oh Susannah, I've been working on the railroad) will make the toy seem new again. Very happy with my choice based on the reviews ... Read more

Reviews (14)

My Daughter's Favorite LeapPad Book
We have several LeapPad books but this one gets the most use. The games are simple enough that my daughter, age 2, can play with very little help. It keeps her attention. I noticed recently she had picked up several Spanish words and can count to 10 in Spanish. Our Dora selections, including this one, have paid off.

Great educational piece
This book is great as are most of the LeapPad products. My son loves to use this book daily. It helps him learn words in both spanish and english, and he already knows quite a few words in spanish and he is 2-1/2 years old. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for something that their child will use for hours and all of the leapPad Books are as educational as this one. A great Product.

Had it for a year and still going strong
This was purchased for my daughter last year when she was three for christmas, it is now a year later and she still loves it. I love the leap pad systems and my first leap was great and now i think she will be going into the regular leap pad and like my others will enjoy hours of fun. You will not go wrong with dora!!

dora the explorer
the game will not stay on

Fun AND educational
Dora is a hit in our household, so this leap-book was only fitting for us to purchase. If your child enjoys Dora, you won't be disappointed in this fun little book. I was really pleasantly surprised by the educational content, and all the fun it provides, it is packed with a bunch of interactive little games that keep even a 2 year old interested. My 2 & 4 year olds both love this book. My four year old was jealous that he didn't have THIS book for HIS leap pad (he has bigger leap pad). This book teaches vocabulary both English and Spanish, problem solving, cooperation, and shapes and colors as well. My only wish is that they had more books to buy. ... Read more

Editorial Review

LeapFrog's range of educational toys is exceptional, and this interactive flipbook really has that "wow" factor. In the box it looks like an innocent book, but once assembled it provides absolutely hours of entertainment with a preschool teaching focus. The book reads the text to the child, then its magic pen allows the child to touch the text and reread difficult words. Rather like a computer game, the pictures in the page also respond to touch. Each page has two to three games on it where the child has to answer questions on the text or the pictures. The child only needs to respond with the pen, so children as young as 3 can easily play all the games. LeapFrog has made sure that this two-sided book packs in all the elements of a balanced preschool curriculum. Numbers, phonics, prereading, and numeracy skills come alive through the activities. Both nonfiction and fiction text are included with a variety of musical activities. There is even a volume control on each page for weary parents on those long car journeys! Be prepared with four AA batteries (not included) and a small screwdriver. The instructions included are not specific, but the illustrations on the box are self-explanatory. Perfect for a rainy day or a long journey, My First LeapPad provides great value for the money, as your child will be entertained and educated for hours. --Jo Fitzgerald

My First LeapPad is a sturdy unit with an integral speaker and a magic pen, which reads the spiral flipbook included with the set. Other books and cartridges can be bought and used with the same unit. My First LeapPad flipbook consists of both an interactive story introducing the characters of Leap and his family, and (once you have flipped the book) a selection of interactive games pages which encourage learning of numbers, colors, shapes, and music making. A pleasant and encouraging voice reads the story, which is written on the page, or if just one word is touched, the voice says that one word, encouraging word recognition. In game mode, the voice asks the child to find a specific number, color, or object and gives praise when the child succeeds. The pad is easy to use, provided children remember to always touch the Go button with the magic pen every time they turn a page. If they forget, the pen will read from another page, which causes much confusion! After a few tries, mine soon got the hang of it and could play independently. Everything is worked using the pen, including the volume control, and the pen is impossible to lose as it is attached securely to the unit. In comparison to their interactive PC games, the LeapPad failed to hold my children’s attention for prolonged periods, and although I found it amazing that the pen could recognize so many different words and objects, they were less easily impressed. There is no movement, unlike in a PC game. On the other hand, the unit is portable, so can be played anywhere, unlike the PC. The unit certainly has lots of educational value and is well made and durable. A large selection of interactive books can be purchased separately, so once the children are comfortable using the magic pen, they can try other activities. They can also choose more difficult material, ensuring that the pad grows with your child. --Rachel Elvidge

In common with other LeapFrog products, My First LeapPad is exceptionally well designed to be both educational and fun. The unit itself and attached pen are chunky enough for little fingers, and the single large button, integral carrying handle, and bright color will make it appealing and easy to use for preschoolers. My First LeapPad comes with a ring-bound book and accompanying cartridge which fit easily into the unit (you also need four AA batteries, not included). Placed right side up the book reads through a simple story, and when turned over the reverse sides contain a wealth of activities and games to play. For anyone who hasn’t previously seen the unique way that simply touching the pages with the pen produces voices and noises of all sorts, it seems like a miracle! Even for those who are familiar with it, it is still endlessly fascinating, and each page has lots of scope for discovery. The clear English voices read the story in sentences or single words as well as introducing games and activities involving music and instruments, shapes and color, reading, numbers, counting, matching, and much more. Each picture reveals a whole world of sound effects, voices, and speech from the characters according to the individual touches the child makes with the pen on the page. This makes play genuinely interactive and absorbing, and hugely valuable in terms of learning and pleasure. I recommend this product highly; it is suitable for all levels of learning between under 3 years and over 5, with each age range getting different benefits at different stages of development. --Caroline Parsons

My First LeapPad learning system by LeapFrog is a portable electronic toy incorporating the format of a flip-over book which teaches children to master skills such as writing, basic numbers, ABCs, phonics, listening, and comprehension. The desk layout includes a side handle and a special touch-sensitive pen which gives children the opportunity to develop the coordination required when they begin to write. With the pen the user can activate the different activities such as touching pictures to hear them come alive, touching words to hear them read aloud, playing a game by pressing the lily pad sign with the magic pen, activating a new page, listening to music, or adjusting the volume. The unit comes with an activity book, Leap’s Big Day. Leap is a frog with a happy voice and an English accent who introduces us to his family and different activities on each page. Although the toy is labeled for children aged 3 years and over, the activities are not incredibly difficult and would also suit a slightly younger child. For example, number work only goes up to five, and the page on what Leap will be when he grows up gives the child a number of pictorial choices and they have to select just one answer to say what a firefighter would need at work (hose, hat, boots), or what a doctor would need (stethoscope, white coat, etc.). All activities require use of the pen, which does require a steady hand at times. More books are available to buy separately, with titles such as Leap to the Moon, featuring Leap again, and Pooh's Honey Tree, which features Winnie the Pooh. The books are double-sided with a story side, which is interactive, and an activity side. The battery-powered toy provides preschoolers with a good introduction to interactive learning aids, including computers, and promotes readiness for reading and writing. --Sarah McNamara

This is a nice-sized interactive electronic learning game by LeapFrog. It consists of the LeapPad unit with carrying handle and a small, easy-to-maneuver electronic pen attached. There is a compact microchip unit which plugs into the side and a cardboard flipbook which attaches to the front. The book has two sides: a story side and an activity side. The sound is activated by touching the green Go circle on the page with the electronic pen. On the story side of the book this triggers a female English voice which reads aloud the words on the page. Your child can then touch each word with the pen to have these read aloud, or touch objects and characters on the page to hear them speak. There is a lily pad and a note symbol at the bottom of each page. When touched with the pen, the voice leads your child through games such as finding objects and people on the page. The activity side is centered on learning games such as parts of the body, colors, shapes, and counting. My First LeapPad is designed for preschool children to teach prereading and premath skills. It contains over 30 games and activities and is indicated to be suitable for ages 3 and over. My son will sit and play with the LeapPad on his own for a short time, but is only 3 and a half, and prefers me to help and guide him a little. My First LeapPad is a good learning aid and value for money as the flipbooks can be replaced with different books in the range to keep your child interested in learning. --Julie Illingworth

Learning to read has never been so fun, until now. This interactive system is an ideal tool for teaching various skills important in early years. My First LeapPad teaches ABCs, numbers, phonics, prereading skills, and premath skills. When children encounter the LeapPad for the first time, they may choose to participate in an interactive story book Leap's Big Day (included) or alternatively they may play 30 games and activities. If they choose a story they will be amazed at how involved they can become and how much they will learn. The games and activities on the reverse of the flipbook feature counting and singing songs as well as a section on parts of the body. The LeapPad comprises a spiral interactive flipbook that when used with the integral magic pen enables the story to come alive! The child may touch words and hear them read aloud or if they touch pictures in the story they too will make appropriate sound effects. This system is certainly an innovative concept that makes learning to read exciting while also challenging. --Tiffany Prescott ... Read more

Reviews (12)

Great for Little Kids
I was in a book store with my sister & my 22-month-old daughter. While I was shopping, my sister brought my daughter by the My First LeapPad toy to keep her busy. My sister tried to turn the page to finish the story, but couldn't figure out why it was still reading the items from the previous page. My daughter showed my sister how to turn the page by pressing "go." I'm looking forward to my sister giving this to my daughter for her second birthday.

love it!
My husband and I bought this for our 2-1/2 year old for Christmas. She really loves it. She is definately at an age where she enjoys learning and is very interested in colors and shapes and showing us "what she can do". This is perfect. We often travel out of town and this is great for those long road trips. Anything to keep her content. I think it will be helpful as she learns to write and read, and it is wonderful for learning shapes and colors. I would say the downfall in this toy is that the cord for the pen is a little short (suppose that is a safety issue) and also I dont like how the cartridge sticks out of the side. I think a drop in sort of thing would have been better. The books are a little tough to get in place, but she is learning. I think she is a little young still, but will get lots of use out of it, and I think it is a good time to introduce this product to her at least. We are going to buy one for her cousin this month, so I think that shows how much we like it!!

So Far...Not impressed
I had HIGH expectations for this product, but so far have discovered that it's been far overrated. My 3 year old received the My First LeapPad for Christmas plus 3 additional books including the Princesses book. This product has not managed to keep her entertained or focused at all. I think it's confusing for a young child, the words are not very clear, and it automatically turns off after just a few seconds. It will tell the child to "find ___" but while my daughter is deciding what to touch with the stylus, it says something along the lines of "try again later". It doesn't give her enough time to THINK before shutting off! There are also options to play games, but after only 2 or so rounds it says something like "press the game button again". That is extremely confusing for a child.

Maybe the regular LeapPad is better. I hoping that once she gets older she'll get into this one more. My daughter LOVES anything having to do with Barbie, Ballerina's or Princesses and even the Princess book doesn't interest her. My daughter also LOVES the new LeapPad DVD "All About Letters", but the alphabet books don't quite have the same effect. If you are just looking for something that reads stories go with THE STORY READER...it's truly an excellent product.

I love Leapfrog stuff!
I love that thing. Not only is it educational, it is fun too! You can learn music as well as the body's bone structure. And to hear your child read to you and tell you what the story was about, phenominal! I am buying it right now for my three year old God daughter. All Leap pad products are amazing.

Great for any Child.
My daughter loves her new LeapPad. I am beyond happy that she would rather play with the LeapPad than watch TV. It also keeps her busy while we are in the car. The LeapPad is very user friendly and is a really great toy for any child. I also loved the girly color for my little princess. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

best present for my kindergartener
My daughter was promised a suprise. The thought of getting another toy bothered me - then I saw this bank. It is fantastic. She loves it. She plays with it - it is excellent at teaching her the coins - it tells her what it is when she inserts the coin -, then gives her a little fact about it. It also shows how she is doing against her saving goal. She brought it in to share with her class - and it was a hit with all the kids and her teacher. My only warning is that you will have no change left in your house : ) ... Read more