LeapFrog Leapster Learning Game System
Posted by toymart on July 10, 2008
Leapster Game
By Lynn (United States)
This game is a must for every pre-schooler. We first gave this game to my daughter when she was 2 1/2 yrs. after a recommendation not to wait until she was 4 yrs. We had to help her at first thru the games until she had some experience with letters and numbers, but it was parent/kid time well spent. We started with the Learn to Draw & Write and the Dora Animal Rescuer. She was able to navigate both of these well enough after a couple months on her own. Then we expanded to the Backyardigans, Finding Nemo, and the Kindergarden (her favorite) Game Cartridges. The Leapster games teach them a lot; and the more they learn the more they are able to do with the games. The three different challenge levels and the hint button are a plus. I’ve talked with her pre-k teachers about it and they have told me that they can see a difference in kids that play this game and those that don’t. She is now 4 1/2 yrs. and still plays with it in spurts. The best time to have it is when we are on the airplane or waiting to be seated at a restaurant. (Get a headset so that they can play the games and not have problems to hear it in a crowd.) When we travel we take two things – her leapster and a bag of paper, crayons and stickers. That’s all.
About the game – if you travel a lot make sure you get the rectangle, not the triangle shaped game. The rectangle doesn’t need a screwdriver to change the batteries – just a coin. We had a triangle one that we traveled to four different countries and many long car rides with and this was the only problem we had – changing the batteries. (Did I mention the game is durable?) We finally broke down and bought the rectangle one for the portability. The rectangle game is lighter and smaller making it easier to carry too. It does have a smaller screen, which is probably why some of the problems with seeing the graphics happen. We still have the triangle at home since the graphics show up better on the bigger screen. It also allows us play time when she won’t share her pink one.:-)
