Handheld game/learning system for 4 year old

[DizzyFORDisney]

Hi Guys,

Does anyone have a recommendation for a handheld gaming/learning system for a 4 year old? Any good deals right now?

We've never had one with the older three, but the little one will turn 4 in a couple of days and is always stealing an ipod/ds/blackberry AND he has finally shown an interest in letters/numbers/writning/etc!!

Any input would be great!!

Thanks in advance!!

 

[jodifla]

The Leapster is best for educational games. There are lots of choices, including numbers, letters, reading, spelling, dinosaur facts, animal facts, space facts, etc. My son used his for years.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

My son has a leapster that he enjoys, but only has one game for.

He plays his dad's iphone or itouc--but I don't recommend actually purchasing one for a 4yo.

He can also play his DS--I would discourage that as well for an actual PURCHASE.

Our reasoning: While he is able to play age appropriate games on the latter devices, the fact that they are expensive and don't enjoy being dropped, prevents us from purchasing them for him. Itouch isn't a consideration at all--but I was just mentioning it as he can play it and plays it well.

The leapster takes abuse well--not that we encourage him to clunk it around or anything. And it is easily operated. Games are sold for little ones, 4-6 and most (if not all?) are educational.

I just went to couponsuzy since it was advertised on tv today--she has grocery coupons, but in that set is a $5 coupon for a leapster brand game. Once you print it successfully, restart the browser--and select the coupon again and you will have 2 legitimate coupons for $5 off a game. (Don't print the same coupon twice--internet coupons have unique numbering/bar codes--so you will have to physically reselect the coupon and then send it to your printer).

 

[DizzyFORDisney]

Everyone loves the LEAPSTERS...but how do choose between the Leapster 2 and the Leapster Explorer? Explorer is not backwards compatible and you can get LEapster 2 games at a discounted price now...

We have Ipod Touches and a couple of DSs in our house already but would like something that is just for him...

Thanks again!

 

[jodifla]

the explorer is for older kids. The leapster is targeted at the 4-8 year old age range.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Everyone loves the LEAPSTERS...but how do choose between the Leapster 2 and the Leapster Explorer? Explorer is not backwards compatible and you can get LEapster 2 games at a discounted price now...

We have Ipod Touches and a couple of DSs in our house already but would like something that is just for him...

Thanks again!

Someone asked me for help in the store--most leapster games work on either device. Whatever fancy features is on the game for LE, won't work on L2, but the game will function.

I'm not even sure what game we have.

But in the store, the person didn't know and was shopping for a grandchild. We examined the games and they all listed on the front that they work on either device. (all that were in stock that day in December).

 

[Tisha_PA]

My boys (age 4) both have the Leapster 2 and they love them. However, my MIL got them both the Fisher Price iXL for Christmas and they like it even better. It reads them stories, lets them do art projects (coloring and drawing on the screen), teaches them how to write letters (they can use the stylus to write their letters on the screen), plays mp3's (it comes pre-loaded with some kids songs but you can add your own music to it), plays educational games - I know there's more but I just can't think of it all. I would highly recommend it.

 

[dismom301930]

I'll put in another vote for a Leapster! All three of my DDs loved them.

 

[kimkoz]

My 4 year old loves his Leapster 2, I bought it when he was close to 3 and uses it all the time. If I was buying now I would probably purchase the Explorer, has more features. My son has used both and understands both.
He really wants a DS next but that will be a couple years from now. He learns so much from the leapster games I don't want to ruin it.

 

[buzz1fan]

My 3 yr old got and Ixl and he loves it. Right now he like the coloring and painting. He also like the stories. We have the cd it came with and purchased the toy story one. ECh cd has a bunch of activites to do.

 

[We_love_WDW]

We have the Leapster, which my daughter likes - now she has the DS and likes that even more. We got our son the Mobigo - it has a touch screen and the graphics are better than the leapster. Both my kids like the Mobigo a lot. I would recomend the Mobigo over the Leapster

 

[Madison'smommy]

My DD is 5, she LOVED her leapster. But, if I was buying new at 4, I would not buy a leapster. She got a DSi for Christmas, and its great. She is learning how to do the games and utilize all the other features of the DS. I am happy with it.

 

[Mrs. Charming]

Yet again, I'm going to be the lone dissenter. We got DD3 a Nintendo DSi for Christmas and she loves it. She already knows how to work it inside and out, and she has a bunch of Nick Jr (Backyardigans, Diego, Wonder Pets) games and she loves them. We're pretty much a "video game" gfamily so it seemed like the right choice for us. I figured if she could operate my cell phone easily, she could operate a DS. We did get the extended warranty from Game Stop, though.

 

[m&amom]

Our son also got a mobigo for Christmas and loves it. He likes that is has a touch screen like the ipod and that is has a full keyboard like a laptop. He is learning where the keys are along with his letters. I also like that it seems to be using less batteries than my daughters leapster did.

 

[tseitel]

Leapster Explorer is not just for older kids. You just have to look at the recommended ages on the games you buy. My 4 year old has it, and LOVES it, and I like that it is not just mindless gaming. It is just basically a newer version of the Leapster 2, with bigger brighter screen, and games have more detail, which is why its not backward compatiable with the Leapster 2. I suggest going to the store (target and toys r us have them on display) where you can see the difference. Since you're just starting out, I would go with the Explorer, cause its the future, in a matter of speaking, and dont have to worry about having a bunch of 2 games you cant use. However, you are able to now get good prices on the 2 version since the Explorer came out. Either way, they will grow with your child. Hope this helped.

 

[my3sonsagn]

My DS4 got a Mobigo for Christmas that he LOVES. We also got him a case for it, and he's done very well (so far ::crosses fingers:: ) keeping the system and the games in the case when he isn't using them. I love that it has a touch screen and a querty keyboard - he doesn't use the keyboard yet, but it will be great for when he gets older and ready for it.

 

[lucyem]

My oldest had a Leapster L-Max at that age and his younger brother inherited it. It holds up amazingly well to abuse and I like that if he is playing games he is actually learning something as well. It is a lot harder to find educational games for the DS.

 

[tinkerbelletreasure]

another vote for the iXL! My 3 year old LOVES his! He has barely put it down since Christmas. I'm amazed at how well he is starting to learn some of the games.

 

[tiggger1]

another vote for the iXL! My 3 year old LOVES his! He has barely put it down since Christmas. I'm amazed at how well he is starting to learn some of the games.

Same here! My 4 year old loves the IXL...it has a mp3 player also!!!

 

[merlinspride]

My daughter loved her leapster 2 for the past year or so...she is now 4.5 and got a Fisher Price IXL for Christmas. She hasnt put it down yet. It has games, ereader, photos (which they can color all over) and an MP3 player. She even takes it to bed, so she can 'read' before going to sleep. It also has a headphone jack, very nice feature. What I love about it..I was able to load all the games directly into the until and now I dont have to deal with cartridges! I cannot recomment this highly enough. My daughter hasnt even looked at her leapster 2 since we opened the IXL.

Also, it is very easy for them to pick up on. My niece, also 4.5 ( another leapster lover) asked to see it and it kept them quiet for over two hours.