In the summer of 2010, our children were introduced to the Leapster Explorer and then to the Leapster Explorer Camera and Video Recorder last Fall. I really thought that LeapFrog could not top themselves after that, but somehow they managed to with the recently introduced LeapPad Explorer tablet.
If your child likes the Leapster Explorer, then this tablet for kids will likely be one of his or her favorite toys. The LeapPad has three times the memory, a 5" screen that is both brighter and sharper, and a better digital camera and video recorder that is built-in. One of the main things that makes the LeapPad Explorer unique is that it offers motion-based play in which it responds to the player's motions, such as tilting. This toys is user-friendly enough so that all of our children (ages 4.5, 4.5, and 7.5) can use it without assistance.
Our 7.5 year old's thoughts about the LeapPad Explorer and 3 new Explorer games and apps . . .
"The LeapPad is great because, on the Leapster Explorer it has a game called Jewel Train, and on the LeapPad Explorer it has Jewel Train 2 Twisty Tracks. The LeapPad's main menu is very much like the Leapster Explorer's main menu. My favorite part of the main menu is, when you turn the LeapPad upside-down, your pet falls and hangs onto your name tag, and, when you tilt it diagonally or sideways, your pet slides the way you're tilting it."
"My two dogs on Pet Pals 2 look the same, except for their color. The first pet I got was white, black, and brown. My second dog looks like a zebra, but it has blue and black stripes. I think the game is realistic because the dogs want the things real dogs want in real life. There's more than one building besides your house. My favorite place is the playground because you can actually play fetch with your dog. Before you go outside, if you have two pets or more, you have to choose the dog that wants to go outside. Before I got my second dog, I was thinking about getting a Dalmatian, but then I saw the blue and black stripe puppy and then I got that puppy. I just got my second dog awhile ago and I'm not use to having two puppies that want different things at the same time."
"In Pixar Pals, it's like a Wii game where you have to get points by earning stars and, to play games, you have to get the red and blue key to unlock the door to the game. In WALL-E, I unlocked the red door, but I got EVE up to the button to unlock the door to the blue key, but I couldn't get WALL-E up there to get the key because there were no ladders going to that platform and WALL-E can't jump. The obstacles in WALL-E are the floating chairs and walls. The obstacles in Nemo are puffer fish and sea urchins. The obstacles in Toy Story are jacks."
"In Cars 2: Project Undercover Ultra e-Book, the first game in the story is when Mater tows Finn to the spy plane. The second game is where you disguise Mater. My favorite game is the third game when you help Lightning McQueen hook onto Mater's hook. The mini games are finding words, unscrambling a sentence, finding out who did what, and who is who."
As a parent, I definitely like the educational games and apps available for the LeapPad and that some of them can be used both for the Leapster Explorer as well as the LeapPad. Did you notice how my son barely mentioned any learning activities in his review? The reason for this is because he is having fun without even knowing that he is learning and practicing important skills. Like the Leapster Explorer, the LeapPad automatically adjusts to your child's skill level, so they are pushed to challenge themselves, as opposed to sticking with the easier levels. Just a few of the skills covered in these games are listening comprehension, use of logic, problem solving, sorting, counting, and other important math skills. I also love the portability of the LeapPad. We have taken it to soccer games, visits to relatives' houses, and on long car rides. This unit takes 4 AA batteries. I do wish there was a charger for it because, with three children fighting over it, we need to change the batteries weekly. I highly recommend using rechargeable batteries or purchasing the AC adapter.
You can purchase the LeapPad Explorer and LeapFrog Explorer games on LeapFrog.com, Amazon.com, Target, Toys"R"Us, Walmart, and other major toy retailers. For a limited time, LeapFrog.com is offering Free Standard Shipping on all LeapPad Bundles. The LeapPad Explorer retails for $99.99 and is available in green or pink.
A portion of this review was written by:
Thank you to LeapFrog for providing complimentary product samples for us to base this review upon and for providing additional products for our contest prize.
What you can win:
One lucky reader will receive a LeapPad Prize Pack containing the following . . .
- LeapPad Explorer (Color subject to availability - ARV $99.99)
- LeapFrog Explorer Pet Pals 2 game (ARV $24.99)
- LeapFrog Explorer Pixar Pals game (ARV $24.99)
- App Center Card (ARV $20)
Limitations:
This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.
This giveaway is open to U.S. entries only. You do not need to be a blogger to enter, but you must have a valid email address and be age 18 years or older. If you enter anonymously and do not include a valid email address in your comment entries, I will not be able to notify you should you win this random drawing.
How to Gain Entries:
Browse the 81 LeapPad games and apps offered by LeapFrog. Then leave a comment telling me the name of the Game or eBook you think your child would find to be the most engaging. You MUST do this to be eligible to win this contest.
Extra Entries:
1) For 5 extra entries, leave a relevant comment on one of my non-giveaway posts. Then leave FIVE separate comments with the name of the post on which you commented. You will earn 5 extra entries for each different non-contest post you comment on.
2) For 3 extra entries, follow me on StumbleUpon. Then come back here and leave THREE separate comments with the link to your StumbleUpon profile.
3) For 1 extra entry, "Like" the 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires Facebook page, then leave a separate comment here with the link to your Facebook profile.
4) For 1 extra entry each, follow LeapFrog on Twitter and/or "Like" LeapFrog on Facebook. Then leave a separate comment for each with the link to your Twitter or Facebook profile.
5) Follow me on Twitter. Then leave a separate comment with the link to your Twitter profile.
6) Tweet about this giveaway linking back to this post. Then come back here and leave the link to your tweet in a separate comment. You may do this once per day until the end of the contest.
7) Subscribe to this blog's feed. Or you can follow me through Blogger or subscribe via email (widget is on sidebar). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.
8) Subscribe to A Blog of Goodies' feed (the sister site to 3 Garnets & 2 Sapphires). Then leave a separate comment telling me you did so.
(All entries will be verified prior to awarding this prize.)
Random Drawing:
Random Drawing:
This contest will be closed on Monday, December 5th, 2011 at 10:00pm EST. A random number drawing will be held shortly after. The winner will be announced here and will be contact via email or through their blog. If the winner does not respond within 48 hours, a new number will be drawn.
Good luck in the drawing!
