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In the toy section of any major store, there are certain aisles that any mom can identify at a glance. There’s the cheery pink of the Barbie aisle, the steely gray of the Lego section, and the wide array of fun board games covering one wall. In the last few years, there’s also been the irresistible addition of the bright green LeapFrog section in many large stores – not to mention LeapFrog being everywhere online when you’re looking for electronic learning toys.
Since the company’s founding in 1995, LeapFrog has released a whole line of fun electronic children’s toys with a twist parents love – education! The LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet is their latest product, offering a fun, shiny platform with plenty of entertainment for the kids while also adding that little something extra to please the discerning parent. With so many features, it can be hard to know exactly what that eye catching box and gulp-inducing price tag are offering, so here’s some help breaking it down.
Design Features
Here are the main design features that we really like on this new learning toy that is sure to be a hit this Christmas season.
- A five inch, full color touch screen draws kids in and keeps their attention riveted.
- The sleek, light-weight design means that the LeapPad frees up much needed storage space but somehow manages to be sturdy and up to the wear and tear of life with kids.
- Practical thought put into the design makes life with kids easier. A magnetic stylus is harder to lose when it’s conveniently attached to the LeapPad with a cord. For those who manage to lose it anyway, another is included at no additional charge.
- The 2 GB of built-in memory allow for a child’s expansive imagination without needing to worry about running out of room.
- Expandable play is offered through the multitude of eBooks and other apps offered to constantly change up play and keep kids from getting bored.
- Unique features like a tilt sensor for game control and a built-in, easy-to-use camera for creating amusing videos and one-of-a-kind art projects make the LeapPad stand out as a toy with a lot of play options.
Educational Offerings
- Four fun apps are included in the initial box, with reading and art both highlighted in unique and entertaining games kids will enjoy
- One of the included apps is a free choice from the entire library of offered LeapPad apps, offering both the parent and the child to exert a little control in what they want to get out of this gaming system
- As a company focused on educational game options, LeapFrog’s app choices span all subjects and interests, trying to impart as much knowledge as possible about not only reading or math, but also music, science, geography, and more.
- Skill levels of the various programs are automatically adjusted to track your child’s progress and increase the difficulty of games accordingly, making certain that boredom isn’t an issue and that learning is never put on hold.
- Each eBook has multiple levels to hold a child’s interest and get the most bang for your buck.
Overall, the LeapPad Explorer offers some amazing features that are an easy and fun way to introduce kids to a gaming platform. What’s more, it can entertain them and teach them something, and every mom knows that multi-tasking isn’t just a good thing: these days, it’s a downright necessity!
The Catch
Of course, no toy is perfect, and certain critiques of the LeapPad Explorer are hard to avoid. For one, it’s impossible to ignore that entertainment and education is a costly combination. Retailing at around a hundred dollars just for the initial system, it then of course costs extra for each eBook or app your child finds that they just have to have this week.
When compared to other handheld gaming systems out there, like the Nintendo Ds, both the LeapPad and its expansion options are fairly moderately priced. What’s more, they have a educational spin that Nintendo often tends to lack.
Many critics also cite the aforementioned educational spin as being exactly that: not quite worth the hype. While the LeapPad Explorer is advertised as a toy for ages 4 to 9, almost all parents seem to notice that the kids it really attracts are the younger side of the spectrum. Older children tend to lose interest more quickly and often the games and apps can skew well below their academic level.
What’s more, quirks in the design of some games mean that kids can often miss the larger point of a lesson or worse yet, imply connections that are just flat out wrong. While these problems are easily fixed by a kind word from a conscientious parent, some people can’t help but ask: what’s the point of having a educational toy without the facts to back it up?
Other common complaints center around the operating platform, which can be tricky to set up. While not an insurmountable problem, it hints to possible long term problems with the software that will frustrate kids rather than draw them in. Still, with an item so new on the market, it seems difficult to say if these problems are a one time set up inconvenience or may return after more use and be more distracting to a child’s learning process.
The Big Picture
Like any toy, the LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet has moments where it shines … and areas where it could do a little bit better in our opinion.
While the games and apps may sometimes lean toward entertainment value over flat out education, the fact is that the games are still designed to help with early childhood basics: sounding out words, adding numbers, and knowing basic science facts.
What’s more, the plethora of available apps mean that every child can learn about things they’re already interested in, which is half the battle in keeping their attention.
Overall, parents tend to admit that while the LeapPad isn’t as educational as a parent sitting down and teaching their child directly, it’s a great, next-best option for the times when teaching moments just can’t fit into the hectic stress of life.
Coming from a company like LeapFrog, you know that the intention for education is there and you can bet that even better games and apps will be released to expand both the toy’s educational and entertainment value.
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