Do I need to get a

[browneyes]

LeapFrog Mind Station if I get my ds a Learning LeapFrog for Christmas? Has anyone downloaded good stuff using the Mind Station?

 

[KimRaye]

I haven't yet.

 

[jfulcer]

We're about to order one. We have the LeapPad, and DD is getting the spelling and math thingys. Dunno if it's gonna be worth it, I think it will.

 

[browneyes]

Kim, you haven't been able to find useable stuff to download? Is it a waste of time/money to get one?

Jfulcer, let me know what you think of it, if you get one. Thanks!

 

[Cindy B]

Yes, Broweyes, it is useful...

Lets see here, which hardware are we talking about... are you using it for the Leap Pad, the one with the pen attached, or another hardware device, like the Turbo Twist Math, Spelling, Vocabulary, etc...

Last year for Christmas my MIL bought the DD a Leap Pad (one with the pen attached), and my son a Turbo Twist Math.

With the leftover money, we were able to buy a Leaplink, on clearance at Kmart for like $5 or $10.

When we opened the Leaplink, we found that we got 6 months of the website membership for FREe. We downloaded quite a bit of stuff. The Leappad we used for games for my DD. (They were called Echos' Jungle, and a maze game and stuff like that). We also got a stiff holder for the papers we printed out.

My DD was (and still is ) a non reader. The things were easier Pre K, Kindergarten stuff.

But we used it heavily for the Turbo Twist. My son complained that the current level in the machine was too easy, so we would download different grade levels for him. He did say all the math was too easy no matter what level we downloaded. We got up to 6th grade (he was in 1st at the time) then he was finally challenged.

With the Leap Pad 6 months free, you do get Leap Pond magazine. You download the sounds off the website, and use it for the current volume. We got 7 of these, and both my kids now 5, and soon to be 8 enjoy them. We just renewed because they do enjoy the magazines, and with renewal we got another cartridge for free.

Also in the Leap Link there was a free cartridge in the box. I feel that we have gotten a deal because the Leap link was on clearance, the kids have enjoyed the downloads, and the magazines are good and durable (just like the books you buy).

We have never bought any extra books because of the magazine issues. That being said, we don't use the Leap Pad for a "learn to read" tool, but more of games, memory, and brain twisters.

 

[browneyes]

Thanks for the info Cindy. My ds will get the LeapPad (w/pen attached)-and a Math catridge. My dd will get the Turbo Twist Brain challenge. One Mind Station is $29.99, another one is $39.99 (both systems my kids will get can use either station). I might go back and get the $29.99 one if it's something that will be useful.

Thanks again.

 

[Cindy B]

Shannon--

Check your local Target... they had a bundle pack. It had the Mindstation/leap link with some cartridges, plus the free membership.

I can't remember the prices... but you can also use the older Leap Link (I think from 2000) with the machines as well. I found mine on clearance at Kmart.

Our leap link is an older one, and it works fine.

Math cartridge for the Leap Pad... now is there a math book that goes with it? you can't use a turbo twist cartridge in a Leap Pad.. well the cartridge will fit in the book hardware, but the program will not correspond with any Leap pad book.

Does that make sense?

My son tried to make his Turbo Twist cartridge work in the Leap Pad. It fit in the interface in the book hardware, but the software didn't work together. You do need the proper book and the proper cartridge to make the Leap Pad work. For example, my daughter can't use the most current downloaded audio on an older edition of the Leap Pond magazine, the sounds and sensor points are off.


You do not need two mindstations.. we have used the same leap link for the Leap Pad, and the Turbo Twist.. really its just an external interface port, both cartridges fit!