What would you do - Christmas gift of Leapster, but for who?

[Gillian]

I have 2 kids, DS 6 & DD 3. DD suddenly became interested in DS's leapster this week. They have started to fight over it and we want to buy a second one.

DH said just get a new one for our 3 year old, but I'm concerned because she has already scratched the screen and ripped the rubber part off the pen of DS's in just under a week of use. She drags it around by the pen when we're not looking. I'm afraid if we get her a new one she won't take care of it either.

Do you think we should get a new one for her, or get a new one for DS and let her have the old one? Our son will probably get a Nintendo DS for his birthday in 2007, but it's not until September. We might be able to find a special occasion to get it for him earlier.

Any thoughts? Any good buys out there?

 

[momto2girls]

I had a similar situation. My DD6 got a Leapster for her birthday in July. She loved it and so did her sister, DD3. It became obvious right away that I'd need to buy a second one. I ended up buying a Leapster LMax and giving it to my older DD. The original Leapster went to my younger daughter. (I knew that my older daughter would like the LMax because it has pre-loaded Scooby Doo games and she loves Scooby!)

I heard that Costco had some bundled package of the LMax and a game for a good price. FWIW, I don't think that the LMax version is a necessity, but if you can get it for a good price, I would go ahead and get it.

HTH!

 

[Luv Bunnies]

We bought Leapster for our son when he was around 6. I think your six year old would get more out of it and should get the new one. As you mentioned, the 3 year old has already damaged the other one. Let her go ahead and call it her own and let your son move on to a new one. This could be a good opportunity for your son to learn how to really take care of a nice toy. Maybe he could have a special place to put it when he's not using it that your daughter can't get into. Otherwise, she'll see the shiny new Leapster lying around and go nuts over it!

 

[Gillian]

I'm still torn on this issue!

I found a regular Leapster bundle (with small case & a letter game) at Walmart today, for $59. I don't think either needs the L-max because we only have 1 TV and I don't see that the leapster would ever get hooked up to it.

I just talked to my mom, and she does not think we should give the new one to the 3 year old. DS is probably going to get more stuff for Christmas, but this is probably the last year we can get away with that!

Probably we will give DD a new Leapster backpack and a new "girly" game, and she should be OK with DS getting a whole new system. She'll have Care Bears and Littlest Pet Shop stuff to distract her.

 

[PaulaSue]

I would give her the old one since she is still rough with it.

We have one that my girls share ans use often. My youngest is getting her own for christmas from GM. This is one thing I don't mind getting a second one of. I am mfihgting the urge to get another one. it rerally is a great game with lots of different levels for each girl.

 

[Denine]

We just saw the Leapsters the other night at Toys R US. What is a good price for one?

DD has a my first leap pad, but is outgrowing most of what it teaches and she just turned 4 in September.

 

[susykt4]

WalMart has Leapsters for just under $50 and they also have a special holiday pack (if still in stock) that comes with case and extra game (I think it's called Letterpillar) for $59. Everywhere else I've seen Leapsters they've been ~$60 for just the game system. I believe the L-Max that hooks up to the tv is ~$30 more. My WalMart has Leapster games on sale for $16.99 this week.

 

[Denine]

Thanks for the price info!