Toddler/Preschooler Electronics

[amylevan]

I'm starting to compile Christmas lists for my DS. He will be 29 months in December and I think I'd like to get him some electronics to keep him busy in the car. (We have a 45 min commute 3 times a week and a 17 hr drive to Disney in February.) And I'd prefer to not waste money on junk.

In the area of handheld "gaming" systems there appears to be the Mobigo and Leapster2. Both have a recommended age of 3-8. Would you consider either ok for a 2.5 yr old? Which has better staying power?

I have also considered either Tag Jr, Leapfrog's My Own Storytime Pad, or the Vtech VReader. He loves books, so the Tag Jr might be fun, but the other 2 look good too. Suggestions? If you had to choose one of these vs a gaming system, which way to go?

I will probably also get him the Fisher Price Color Flash Laptop because he is obsessed with mine. Any idea how this compares to the other?

Thanks for your help! There appears to be so much out there, and I don't want to waste money, want something educational but entertaining, and have really no experience since DS is my only child.

 

[neatokimmo]

At that age, DD was playing with a tag reader, the one with the skinny pen. Now at almost 5, she is still playing with it. She first started with touching the spot where it read the book to you. Then she started going across the words. Now she likes to play the games. It was the best $30 or so I have spent on kiddie electronics. And the thing is durable too, it has been on countless roadtrips & train trips. It has been sat on, dropped, squished - you name it.

I bought rechargeable AAA batteries for it. It really has been a good investment.

Our leapster fizzled. It went on the same roadtrips and didn't make it.

 

[QVCshopper]

I also recommend the Tag Reader. We have at least 10 books on it, and it's great for car rides and reading books when you have chores to do. My kids also liked this LeapFrog pond thing that we have; it teaches letter, plays songs, and spells words. It was really cheap, but they have played with it for at least three years... and learned their letters with it.

And not portable, we like the ClickStart. It's like a computer through your TV.

 

[CuteAndFluffy]

We finally settled on a Mobigo for our almost 3 year old. I had him try out all the available games on the retail displays--he was able to do the Dora game easily, but the Cars game and Kung Fu Panda game were too challenging for right now. I think there will be a lot of room for growth there. The Leappad was our other leading contender--he navigates my iPhone games really well so I liked the format, but we ultimately picked the one with the QWERTY keyboard to help with reading and writing.

We held off on the purchase until just now, though. Before the last month or so, he didn't quite have the hand/mind coordination to follow the directions the games were giving him. He did best with the Leapfrog Leaptop.

I like the idea of the TAG reader, but in the car I can see it getting dropped. It would be hard to coordinate holding the book on your lap and using the wand in the back seat of a car. I wonder if the Leappad might be best in your case so that everything is contained in one unit. You could get a couple of the electronic books, as well as some apps...

 

[mrseace711]

LeapFrog has the staying power in my opinion. We have been LeapFrog fans for years now the educational games are GREAT. 2 LeapPads are on our list this Christmas to upgrade from the Leapsters Good Luck

 

[neatokimmo]

I hadn't thought about dropping that Tag reader pen. My car is small so I can reach in the floorboard and hand it to her.

If you go with the tag, maybe you can find some way to attach a ribbon to it then pin it to the car seat. Then he can fish it out wherever it lands.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Honestly--some apps on your iPhone may work best. My son is 4 and has various kid-gadgets including a V-Reader, leapster, one DS game he can play on his sister's DS and some other things I cannot recall. He has access to computers--but doggone it, daddy's iphone is the #1 request. He's been playing it longer than I would care to admit and they have some basic toddler apps you can put on it. I think it would be more versatile for your road trips.

 

[mickeymaker2003]

I would get the regular Tag, not the Tag Jr. The regular Tag can read both the Jr. books and the regular ones. It also has a lot more memory.

 

[amylevan]

Honestly--some apps on your iPhone may work best. My son is 4 and has various kid-gadgets including a V-Reader, leapster, one DS game he can play on his sister's DS and some other things I cannot recall. He has access to computers--but doggone it, daddy's iphone is the #1 request. He's been playing it longer than I would care to admit and they have some basic toddler apps you can put on it. I think it would be more versatile for your road trips.

We are a non-smart phone family, and intend to stay that way for at least the foreseeable future. <insert shock and amazement> I can't see spending upwards of $30/month for a data plan when we have internet at home and work. Besides, DH is adament that phones are for calling (although he does text). We are stone agers.

I spent some more time researching this afternoon, and I will admit to being a little nervous that he will drop the Tag in the car. So I think the V.Reader would be better in that instance. But then it looks like the LeapPad can download the books, as well as play games, and might be better. But I'm not really sure he's old enough for a Leappad. Guess we'll have to head to the store and let him play around with them.

 

[labdogs42]

I think the new LeapPad looks really cool. That's probably what I'd go with.

 

[Disneychix]

DS loves the Mobigo. We got it for him last Christmas at age almost 4. The game it comes with is good for the younger age but it does 'grow' with him and I'm amazed at some of the newer features he finds and can do now.

It can take a beating too. Can't recall how many times he's dropped it both indoors and out.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

We are a non-smart phone family, and intend to stay that way for at least the foreseeable future. <insert shock and amazement> I can't see spending upwards of $30/month for a data plan when we have internet at home and work. Besides, DH is adament that phones are for calling (although he does text). We are stone agers.

I spent some more time researching this afternoon, and I will admit to being a little nervous that he will drop the Tag in the car. So I think the V.Reader would be better in that instance. But then it looks like the LeapPad can download the books, as well as play games, and might be better. But I'm not really sure he's old enough for a Leappad. Guess we'll have to head to the store and let him play around with them.

I definitely wouldn't do that just for a toddler.

My husband first obtained smart phones through work...and has a zillion aps on them.

I just got one last year (even though he had one for a long while before) and I have precisely 1 game and 2 or 3 apps my husband felt I should have.

My kids keep asking me to download stuff--but I know how much they bug daddy for his phone. They hardly ever ask for my and I'd like to keep it that way.

I am not up on 2 year old electronics at the moment. Leappad might be a good one, but not sure on the age range. I looked into it and saw the word "cartridge" and got a tad confused. Other than that--it looks neat.

 

[CuteAndFluffy]

Leappad might be a good one, but not sure on the age range. I looked into it and saw the word "cartridge" and got a tad confused. Other than that--it looks neat.

The Leappad can play Leapfrog explorer cartridges as well as downloaded apps. My friend got one for her 3 year old daughter and it was a bit advanced for her (and the girl is quite bright). My friend also said the apps were too big and complex for her daughter--stages and levels, complex story--not just a collection of little games. That's ultimately what pushed us to go with the Mobigo.

 

[princessbride6205]

Maybe it's just us but we have tried several of the different devices and none of them has had staying power for our DD. The Tag reader came the closest, and DD does enjoy it sometimes, but we have had so many technical difficulties with it crashing the required software (and my DH is in tech and electronics for a living). You can't use the pen and books right out of the box. Every time you get a new book, you have to download it from your computer to the Tag pen.

Her Grandma and Pop bought her an iPad 6 months ago, which she loves. She plays her games, has read aloud books, and watches movies. I'm sure that is more than you wanted to spend, but our family hasn't had luck with the kid electronics.

 

[labdogs42]

Maybe it's just us but we have tried several of the different devices and none of them has had staying power for our DD. The Tag reader came the closest, and DD does enjoy it sometimes, but we have had so many technical difficulties with it crashing the required software (and my DH is in tech and electronics for a living). You can't use the pen and books right out of the box. Every time you get a new book, you have to download it from your computer to the Tag pen.

Her Grandma and Pop bought her an iPad 6 months ago, which she loves. She plays her games, has read aloud books, and watches movies. I'm sure that is more than you wanted to spend, but our family hasn't had luck with the kid electronics.

We have the Tag Reader, too, and I experienced the same things. It drives me crazy that I have to "load" the books and it only holds so many at a time, too.

Where do you find read aloud books for the iPad? We have one of those, too, and I'm always looking for great learning apps!

 

[mrudman]

We have the Tag Reader, too, and I experienced the same things. It drives me crazy that I have to "load" the books and it only holds so many at a time, too.

Where do you find read aloud books for the iPad? We have one of those, too, and I'm always looking for great learning apps!

Sure wish now I had my Touch when dd's were younger, lol.. CUTE read-aloud books out there for the younger crowd.

Here's a link to a Mickey one.. then at the bottom you can see others.. wasn't sure how else to give you the link to them.. http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/mickeys-spooky-night-puzzle/id398254950?mt=8

Also, just found out that if you type in "storytimes", it'll give you a big list of free or 99 cent books.. I downloaded a free one (the ugly duckling), and it works well, cute pictures, etc.

 

[MSSANDRA]

It soooo depends on your child. I really wanted DS to like the products. We got the leapsterII for his 4th birthday. He wanted a DS. He has spent way less than a hour total play time. Got the tag reader. I loved it. Him....maybe an hour total play time.

He loves the iphone, the ipad and is still begging for a DS. Wish I had bought one to start with. It's now our "motivation" for sleeping in his own bed. Doubt he will ever get one.

I would at least try one of the systems. I really like the looks of the new leappad.