Kinda OT: Leapster Learning System

[lpbm4]

Anyone have this for your kids? I wanted to get one for my kids, esp for use during our plane ride to WDW. I found some on ebay from a local seller (BNIB) for $40 (so no shipping, I could pick it up). Just wondering if it's worth the $$$. I fear I'll buy it and my kids won't play with it. Plus, I'd like to get them each one so there would be no fighting. Thanks for any info!

 

[mommyceratops]

How old are your kids. My DS are 3 and 5 and LOVE them!! They are worth every penny. Remember you will have to buy a few games for them. I would recomend getting a carry case, I have lost games before!

Buy them you wont regret it, they are also great in line!!

 

[lpbm4]

Thank you! I planned on buying one for each of them. This seller has a pink and a silver/green one--so perfect for my kids. My kids are almost 5yrs and 3yrs. And luckily they are a boy and girl so I can boy both types of cartridges and they can share.

Thanks for the comment! Are they fairly easy for them to use? I would assume so since your kids are the same age as mine. There are 2 different "shapes' of the Leapster. DO you know if the carry case fits both shapes? The ones I have found appear to fit the shape that I would not be buying. (Does that make sense?)

Thanks again!

 

[frogmommy]

My son is almost 5 and has the Leapster L-Max. He loves it! It was fairly easy for him to figure out how to play the games. I definetely it's worth the money.
The L-Max is a different shape from the regular Leapster, so that's why the cases you are looking at are different. You probably want the one for whichever system you are buying.
You may want to consider getting the battery charger. The Leapster EATS batteries. As with the cases, you want to make sure you get the right one.

 

[kikakeko]

We have 3 of these systems- LOVE them! We too have lost games and that is frustrating- but my girls have learned so much. They are 8,4 and 4 and they all share games the older games are too hard for the littl eones but the still play and recognize numbers and letters on them. I would say go for it.

 

[mommyceratops]

Thank you! I planned on buying one for each of them. This seller has a pink and a silver/green one--so perfect for my kids. My kids are almost 5yrs and 3yrs. And luckily they are a boy and girl so I can boy both types of cartridges and they can share.

Thanks for the comment! Are they fairly easy for them to use? I would assume so since your kids are the same age as mine. There are 2 different "shapes' of the Leapster. DO you know if the carry case fits both shapes? The ones I have found appear to fit the shape that I would not be buying. (Does that make sense?)

Thanks again!

I don't know about the size of the case. That does make sense. I am not sure if the Leapter changed size from the Leapfrog. (did that make sense the older model)

My 3 year old just turned 3 and he loves the leapfrog he does not do much but color on it but it keeps him amused for hours!!

I have the leapfrog and love them so much I want to buy them leapsters!!

Hope that helped.

 

[lpbm4]

Thanks you guys! Seems like I should go for it!

 

[Lovemy3babes]

Get it, get it, get it!!!!!!!! My kiddos love it so much I'm going to have to buy a second one. They're 6, 5 and 2. You won't regret it. Our favorite games are Dora, SpongeBob and Nemo. We also have the recharger system, which is really nice!

 

[WantToGoNow]

It’s absolutely worth it. We bought one for my ds4 for Christmas and he has hardly sat it down – he loves that game. We have bought a couple of cartridges for him and they are very educational. He has no problems with the controls or understanding what he needs to do. My dd2 is dying to play it but she’s just a bit too young but we will probably get her one just before we go to WDW – we are going the beginning of November and she will be 3 the beginning of December. I was thinking of getting it for her birthday but I would really like her to have it for the 16+ hour drive.

 

[new_mouser]

This is one of two electronic toys she has every played with (the other is a "baby" toy - Fisher Price Ball Blast). We have the regular Leapster b/c she said she didn't "need" to play it on the TV

You have to get DD the Cinderella games. They are so much fun. My DD's favorite game is the Kindergarten cartridge. You earn tickets and can buy "body parts" to create a monster.

On a nostalgic note, I just HAD to buy the Schoolhouse Rock cartridges. DD doesn't play with them much, but I feel 30 years younger.

 

[lpbm4]

Thank you all so much for your comments. Looks like I'll be buying them!!! My kids *LOVE* the LeapFrog videos--learned their ABCs from it. So I am really happy with the LeapFrog toys.

New Mouser--I think your DD might be talking about the L-Max. It is about $40 more than the Leapster and it gives you a connection to hook it up to the TV so they can play on the "big screen." I didn't think my kids needed that.

Thanks again!

 

[disneymom3]

My boys have gotten them as birthday gifts. The first one last March for a 5th bday, the 2nd one last Nov for a 4th bday and then their older sister just got one on our drive to WDW. The kids had been spending time each day rotating the games so that two were playing while one did something else. My plan for the drive had been to also bring along the one gameboy that we own and they would rotate games every half an hour so that they ended up with an hour total of Leapster time and a half hour of gameboy. Then, I saw a set on ebay for around $50 that included a case and two new games. I didn't want either of the games, but I did want the case so I bought it.

That was an excellet decision. I have NO guilt about them playing Leapster. You would not believe how much better my kindergartener is getting at his phonics since we got him the Talking Letter Factory cartridge!! I could NOT get through to him, but with this game he is putting it together. We love them and I think they are one of the most worthwhile "toys" we have ever bought.

Highly recommend the cases--especially for travel. Not just for the carrying of the games, but because they offer a little extra protection in case they get dropped.

 

[aterriq]

I have only one complaint, I wish there were more cartridges for the kids. Yes it would cost me more money but I would like it if they actually had 15-20 games per age group.

 

[pigletof4]

I bought these for my children at christmas time and they both love them. Toys R Us runs specials every once in a while for a buy one get one free game.

 

[just.me]

My son loves his -
so much in fact when it broke I had to get him the new one that is out
and he loves that even more since he can hook it to the tv and see what he is playing on the tv!!

well worth it!

 

[lpbm4]

Thank you so much for the comments. I bought 2 today! I want to buy them each a game as they will be Easter gifts for my kids (the Leapster and a game) so I'll keep my eye out for sales. Thanks again to everyone!!

 

[frannn]

the games at 19.99. I bought DD3 the leapster from Amazon/Toys R Us when she was 2, and gave it to her for Xmas (3 months after she turned 3), with the Nemo game. I was concerned that she would tire of it quickly, but she has been playing the same cartridge since Xmas, almost daily. This was a great investment in her education, and gives me more work at home time. (I do have a stash of other games, but why ruin a good thing?)

 

[momo3hods]

My kids love theirs.. son, 2, got his for Christmas. I also got them both the leapster backpacks one is pink the other blue, carries the console and games very nicely.

 

[lpbm4]

Thank you very much! I'll check out Target for their games! Glad I made the purchases!!!