Hand Held game system for 4 year old

[mom4scrapbooking]

So I am trying to decide which system to get my 4 year old for our trip. Something that is learning and will last. I was going to get the vsmile but it has such poor reviews. The leapster one does also? Anyone have these for their kids and do they work. They say they stop working after a few days.

THanks so much!

 

[SandrainNC]

Hi! My son got V-Smile for this past Christmas and it is still working. And he is pretty rough with it. Knocks it off the tv stand. Throws the control. I read reviews too on amazon or toys r us (can't remember which) and was worried. But we haven't had a problem. Just be sure to buy a power cord if you get one (which is sold separately). They were sold out last Christmas so thank goodness I read to be sure to get one and got it way ahead of time.

Sandra

 

[amyhughes]

Get the Leapster L-Max.

This system is like the Leapster but has a connecting cable to the T.V. So your child can see their results on T.V. or it can travel. If you have a portable DVD for the car they can also play on that. I really like the Leap Frog series of educational toys and DVDs, (for example) the DVD we have teaches the letters of the alphabet not just in order and name, but SOUND which is essential to reading skills.

I was underwhelmed with the Leap Pads under the age of 3. My older son gets it and can use the older Leap Pad. My younger son just hits the same buttons over and over on his My First Leap Pad. So I was a bit worried about the Leapster. It is unlike the Gameboys out there in that your child can share their accomplishments with you, or you can sit down and help them in the Living Room.

Good Luck!

 

[hbehrman]

So I am trying to decide which system to get my 4 year old for our trip. Something that is learning and will last. I was going to get the vsmile but it has such poor reviews. The leapster one does also? Anyone have these for their kids and do they work. They say they stop working after a few days.

THanks so much!

My kids each have a "My First Leappad" and can spend hours on them. They are pretty durable and have handled drops and spills just fine. I don't know about the other systems but this one has spriral books that attach and a cartridge. You use a pen to do selections for story, games, volume and selections. I would say look at reviews and other stuff. Oh, and we are definitely taking them with us on our drive to WDW in September.

 

[tinkandpan]

My vote goes t, o the Leapster LMAX as well. So incredibly durable, terrific educational games and travels well.

 

[wishtdream]

My dd has the pocket v-smile she has had it for 2 years. My mom bought it for her b-day when it first came out. It has fallen out of shopping carts and slid across the floor numerous times but it still works. She plays with it now more then ever.

 

[wrighter]

We did not have great luck with the My First Leappad, or the regular old Leappad, but my DS4 absolutely LOVES his Leapster. We did not get the one that hooks up to the television because I figured he sits in front of the thing too much as it is.

I love the educational aspect of the games (make sure you get the ones labeled Pre-K) and it has traveled with us all over the country. It's not something I let him use all the time, only on occasion.

Good luck with your choice!

 

[jodifla]

Had our Leapster L-Max since last May. It has been dropped, knocked around, etc. and is still working. I love it for traveling!

 

[hitchedpumpkin]

Leapster LMAX. It is very durable, lots of games and it will grow with your child. The games are very fun and educational. They also have several Disney and non-Disney characters that will keep the kids interested.

 

[K and K's Mommy]

My DS 2 now "plays" with my 8 year old's Leapster. It has held up so well, and I think the games are educational. There is a math one my 8 year old will still play a little. When he was four, he played it all the time. We ended up getting my DD her own when she was 3 because it was just too hard to share. I also like the Leap Pads, but not for traveling. They are a bit bulky.

 

[momtoBrandon&Jacob]

Had our Leapster L-Max since last May. It has been dropped, knocked around, etc. and is still working. I love it for traveling!

Ditto!

 

[chrisxtwo]

Another vote for Leapster L-Max. My DD (6) and DS (4) love it! A good selection of games for Pre-K and up. The games are a bit expensive but the L-Max plays the original Leapster games as well as the L-Max games. Most important for car travel, they have headphone jacks!

 

[Perditamarie]

I vote for the Leapster as well. They are intuitive and have great games -- and just came out w/a bunch of new games. Often, you can catch the game cartridges on sale for around $20 and also on clearance at Target and Walmart (when the packaging changes or the games or updated, so they can be very affordable).

 

[mom2prince&princess]

Another vote for Leapster L-MAX. It really is a great system...fun games while reinforcing educational concepts.

 

[dmonroe]

Another vote for the Leapster! My 3 yo ds plays my 8 yo's old Leapster all of the time! I was really suprised by how well he does with it!

 

[alloyd1170]

Another vote for Leapster. We dont have the LMax though, and probably wouldnt use it. The Leapster goes in the car, and is handy when sitting through dinners, and visits with grandma. My son got it when he was 3 and has learned a lot from it (hes now 5). The games grow with the child. It is durable and has survived many drops.

The other month, the touch screen gave out after a hard drop. I called Leap Frog and since they have upgraded their system, the rechargable battery pack on the old system no longer works on the new one. Also since we already owned one, they gave me a 50% off deal. I ended up getting a new Leapster and a new rechargable system for half price. Bottom line-their customer service is good!

As soon as dd (2) is old enough she will be getting her own Leapster. She is already trying to play with her brother's. The good news there is that we can recycle the preschool games!

 

[Minniemouse07]

Another vote for Leapster. Similar to the previous poster we don't have the L-Max version and again, probably wouldn't use it. A friend has it and said it is very difficult for her dd to play ON the Leapster and watch it on TV at the same time.

Dd is 6yo and is still playing it a few hours every week and it is a MUST bring for airplane trips and long car rides!

 

[Denine]

DD loves her Leapster. We didn't see the need for the l-max version.

DD still plays with her my first leapad too.

 

[Befferk]

I haven't read the other posts, but my son is 5 and he has had both the Leapster and V-Smile (regular and pocket) and loves them both. He is SO smart, and I know that a lot of it is from what he has learned from these. He has a My 1st Leap Pad but never uses it.

Beth

 

[lisalonglash]

a great age-appropriate book. Nothing better than that! You could also get a book with an audio version.

For an electronic toy, I'd say a Leapster is your best bet. It lasts really well and they periodically come out with new cartridges so the boredom factor is low. Each of my boys has a Leapster and enjoys playing with theirs on an irregular basis - they'll play with it every day for a week, then not touch it for three weeks kwim?