To Leappad or not to Leappad?

[LokiBear]

Dd will be 4.5 this Christmas. I have no idea what to get her as her main present this year. We have always avoided gadgets but I wonder if, at 4.5, she will be old enough? I like the fact that you can buy educational games but, at the same time, worry that we are introducing electronic stuff too early? Oh wise, Christmas crazy mumsnetters....your opinions please!

[PandaMummyofOne]

My DF got DS a leap pad for last Christmas. He was 2.5 at the time. He loves it! The games are brilliant, taught him to count to 20, identify letters, general health/hygiene, very simple addition and basic phonics.

I would highly recommend it!

[BooChunky]

Honestly, I think most 4.5 year olds I know find a leappad far too simple... (And it is quite limited in what it can do). I bought one for my DD and she literally used it once, same with a couple of my friends kids. Can you stretch to an actual tablet? It has much more longevity and does so much more, and you can keep adapting it to their age with different apps.

[attheendoftheday]

We got our girls (4 and 2.5) both a nexus 7 this year and I don't regret it. They only use them a limited amount, but on long journeys they have been a lifesaver. The Toca Boca apps are fantastic. We had an innotab before hand which was very poor in comparison.

[maplepecanpie]

We bought DS a LeapPad2 when he was almost 3. He loved it at first but then DP got a Nexus tablet and put some games on that, and the LeapPad was quickly forgotten about! It's very simple and the games are quite basic when compared to the apps you can get on an Android or Apple tablet. DS is 4-and-a-half now and only ever wants to play the LeapPad if the Nexus isn't charged. Otherwise he'll choose the Nexus.

[MarvellousCake]

We've had lots of use out of our two leappads. I like the fact that it is very simple for the DD's to use themselves, without the risk of anything going awry. We did buy them at a time when the cost of a tablet would have been prohibitive, and one of them was from ebay with a ton of games. They've been used a lot in the car on long journeys. DD who is 8 is grown out of it now, but DD who is nearly 6 still enjoys the games.
I think if you are wary about electronics (so probably unlikely to buy an actual tablet this Christmas), then leappads are a good, safe way to introduce them.

[ragdoll700]

I was thinking of getting the innotab max for my daughters 4th birthday in November we like you have also avoided things like that but think in a tech world she may need it she can use the phone like nobodys business. Wondering what others think of the innotab

[BeyondDespairandRepair]

I got one of those pad things for 5 year old, and it was crap, slow took ages to loads, clumsy esp for dc used to parents phones and stuff. ( we dont have i pads of tablets)

so I would go for a tablet.

[Nearlyadoctor]

We bought one when dd was 5 years old and it had lots of use up until last christmas when we bought her a 2ds. She is now 8 though so had just about outgrown it, but it was money well spent.

[SideOrderofChips]

DD2 got a leap pad for her 3rd birthday and still loves it now

[LokiBear]

Thanks all. I will have a think. dh isn't convinced but he wants to keep her gadget free for as long as possible. I'm going to have to work on him I think!

[AlternaTeen]

FWIW my teen DD and her friend were reminiscing happily about their childhood LeapPads today

[RamblingRosieLee]

loki to a degree I am on his side.

They will be for the rest of their lives undoubtedly glued to a screen all day at work - and look at us MN so why not give them early years screen free?

I have held off my DD is 8, this year seriously considering getting her a hudl, every year so tempted but have held off.

I wanted to make sure other activities were firmly established as a go to...in times of boredom, like reading, coloring, stuff outside. I feel it is in place now so feel better about introducing screen.

It is something that is debated on here lots, and always interesting to read the two sides, however I have noticed people in child health care say they would not have screen time so young.

[SideOrderofChips]

DD1 got a HUDL at age 7 to use and she doesnt use it all the time .But its harder when you have a second one who wants to play on a tablet and can't so much. Thats why the leap pad is good as its screen time but not as addictive as the ipads etc.

[nocutsnobuttsnococonuts]

dd got an innotab age 3 - was fine unless she couldn't do something. she got grumpy and angry. so we limited its use, eventually she forgot about it favouring her toys or the tv!

she occasionally plays on the computer supervised. theres a great game called teach your monster to read. been a great help alongside her learning phonics at school.