Best Handheld game for 4yo?

[MrsPooh]

Ok, our budget makes computer games too expensive but a family member wants to purchase a handheld game for my 4 yr old.

I've looked at the leapster 2 and think it might be a good fit but then I got thinking that maybe we'd be better off having them purchase a used "game system" game instead. Something like a gameboy advance.

We don't want them to invest alot since it is for a four year old but at the same time we'd like something that she'll enjoy.

No one in our home has had a game system since the old original XBox and the old original gameboy.

What would be the best buy for a four year old in a handheld type game? I need somthing she will be able to play on her own but that will grow with her and have games we can add on inexpensively.

Please offer suggestions and advice. She loves playing online at PBS kids and has mastered many of their games.

 

[riley2008]

I hate to actually be saying this, but....I'd go with a Nintendo DS lite. You can pick up Gameboy games (if you can still find any) and DS games too. The Leapster 2 will be outgrown in 2 years.

My boys are 6.5. They got the NDS for Christmas when they were 5. No problems with them being able to use it. A friend's DD got one at age three (DSi actually) and loves it, too.

We also have a Didg. The boys like it, but sometimes frustrated with batteries (even though it says not too, we use rechargeables) and the fact that once you've made it to a certain level, you can't save it - you start all over every time.

 

[Figment's Girl]

I would go with a Leapster 2. While there are some games that they can play on a DS, what are you going to get when they get older?

Over the last year, we've struggled with the same decision for our DS5 (Recently turned) and I was close to getting a DS but then I thought about what we'd get him when he's older and made up my mind. The Leapster is good for that age and you can get them used on Ebay.

 

[tinytreasures]

going out on a limb here but a ipod touch is the best money we have ever spent
all my kids play it including my 3yr old
there are so many free apps and if you do end up buying some they start at $.99
plus they can watch movies on it

 

[ali2000]

going out on a limb here but a ipod touch is the best money we have ever spent
all my kids play it including my 3yr old
there are so many free apps and if you do end up buying some they start at $.99
plus they can watch movies on it

I was just about to post the same thing! Our son loves his iTouch - we initially said he could only use it in the car and when we are waiting at the doctor's office, but he plays it while we are waiting on food at a restaurant too.
While it may be a bigger investment up front, the games are free/cheap; you can also load favorite music, pictures, and movies on it!

Definitely the best handheld for toddler that can and will absolutely grow with her.

 

[starann]

We have the leapsters for our boys, have had them for about 2 or 3 years now and they at 5 and 6 still LOVE them!


I have a Target coupon for I think 20% off a leapster, if you want it, PM your address and I will mail it to you. one of the coupon sites have $5 off of a game. I think target.com also has some kind of leapster coupon!

The boys have just started to ask for a DS, so maybe at Xmas, but for the money, the leapster is well worth it!

 

[labdogs42]

We have the Leapster, iTouch, and DS in our house (technically the iTouch and DS belong to me and DH, but we let DS play with them). I have to say, the iTouch gets the most use by DS and, like other people said, I love that I can get games for free or for $0.99. The Leapster is good and you can probably get a great deal on a used one with some games on Ebay or at a consignment shop. You can get a used DS Lite, too, but the games are so darn expensive, that would be my last choice.

 

[skw444]

We have the Leapster for our 5 year old and she loves it. I like that the games are learning type games and good for her age. You can find deals on games as well. Last week, Target had some of their games marked down to $15 plus with coupons, I was able to get the games for $10 a piece. My 7 year old even plays with it too.

 

[MrsPooh]

Thank you all of the input. We are not making this purchase, a family member was thinking of buying something for her and asked my opinion. I suspect they'll not be interested in the cost of the iTouch but I'll pass all the comments along and let them make the decision since it is their purchase.

I knew everyone here would have good (real life) answers.

 

[leamom2princesses]

Just a quick story to share...

For my daughter's 4th birthday in September her Nana bought her a Nintendo DS lite. I know she is my child but she is a pretty smart 4 year old and has a 9 year old sister to mimick. Anyway, we have been practicing writing our name, letters, etc basic kindergarten prep. About 2 weeks ago here comes DD with her DS and she has written her name on it with a black sharpie...all over it. I fussed at her a little that we don't write on our games or our DS and laid it on the table so that I could get the writing off later that evening. I proceed to cook dinner, both girls bathe, and they both head off to bed. I start my nightly pick up session only to find DD's DS drowned in water. I ask DD what has happened and she says that she was getting the writing off - I have to give the little booger credit, she did get the writing off. Anyway, the DS is no more. It never occurred to me to talk with DD about keeping the DS (or any electronics for that matter) dry at all times. I can't really be upset because her intentions were outstanding but those intentions have a $129 price tag. Just thought I'd share and maybe save someone else a little trouble.

 

[kaywoody]

When my youngest was 4 and 5 her sister had a DS. The younger DD wanted to play it sooooo bad, but it never failed that she was unable to read the writing (and most of our games have a lot of writing especially at the beginning) which meant that someone had to read to her the whole time she was playing. She could handle the game portion, but not the reading. Maybe it was the games her sister had... other DD was 8 or 9 at the time. It was frustrating to the 4 year old (and to everyone else....can't read the game while we're driving down the road, and that's where we used them the most!)

 

[labdogs42]

When my youngest was 4 and 5 her sister had a DS. The younger DD wanted to play it sooooo bad, but it never failed that she was unable to read the writing (and most of our games have a lot of writing especially at the beginning) which meant that someone had to read to her the whole time she was playing. She could handle the game portion, but not the reading. Maybe it was the games her sister had... other DD was 8 or 9 at the time. It was frustrating to the 4 year old (and to everyone else....can't read the game while we're driving down the road, and that's where we used them the most!)

Yeah, i ran into that, too, with the Phineas and Ferb game. We don't play that one any more! I have discovered that tere are a lot of great games that don't require reading -- the Smart Boys/Girls games are great for that age. No reading and a lot of mini games on each cartridge. My son loves those!

 

[DaniB]

For that age - leapster all the way!

Yes, you can get games in a DS for a child that young, but they will be hard to find and non-educational.

Save the DS for when she's older (ie, 9 or so) and has outgrown the leapster. It will be appreciated more then.

 

[meghanlea]

DD is 6 and DS is 3 both have a nintendo DS, they have a leapster that they share, however it hardly gets played with anymore. And they have an itouch that they share. They each got their own DS's to prevent fighting and guess what their doing right this minute? fighting over who is going to play stitch .

 

[wenrob]

I have two 4yr olds, Leapster all the way. They're learning while playing and figured the things out in a day. They also can take a beating. As someone else mentioned you can find the games on sale quite often. If I had it to do over again I think I'd still go with the Leapsters.

 

[puffkin]

My DS4 has a DS. He also plays some old GBA games on it. He has been around leapsters at friends houses and showed absolutely no interest in it. We got him a used DS on Ebay and the older games are pretty cheap. He actually only has one new game....MarioKart. The leapster would have been a huge waste of money for us.