Leap pad or similar for 3 year old?

[SillyBlueHat]

PIL always spend a fortune on DD so we were thinking about asking them to get her a Leappad. Or is there something similar that would be better for her age?

As a retired Teaching Assistant with twenty years experience in primary schools, personally I don't think these sort of gimmicky gadgets will do any good at all for children, especially so young. REAL objects, toys, games, books, dolls, construction, whatever will be much more useful and educational than these so-called 'educational' novelties.

Plenty of time in the future for her to get 'hooked' on 'tech' I would have thought. It seems very sad to me that people think nothing is worthwhile unless it has a screen and goes BEEP!

Sorry!

What about a wooden play kitchen? We are getting one for Ds who has just turned 3.
Or outside play stuff?

My nephew loves his leap pad 2 and we're getting one for DS. To give another view, I worried about it being too much screen / tech too young but my DH pointed out that this is the world DS is growing up in, like it or not, and it will be useful to use these things so I just plan to limit it to once a day. Doesn't mean you can't do plenty of creative / traditional /!outdoor play too. Hth.

Lego? Get him into that and then the spending can begin. My ds started Lego at 3.

You don't have to give your ILs expensive ideas - you dont sant your ds to expect pricey stuff every time. Remind then of expensive tuition fees etc and suggest they put into a savings account.

My 3yr old is getting a reconditioned Acer Ionica rrom ebay only £40 but is very very nearly exactly the same as my Samsung Tab2. I would always go for the real thing over a kiddie version especially when its cheaper!

She already has a kitchen and lots of other toys. We don't have room for much more!
She already plays with our iPad and loves it. I agree with the poster who said this is the world they are growing up in. Owning a tablet does not mean she will not play with other toys too!

I was after advice from those who already own one or are thinking of purchasing one.

Plus, PIL will buy her stuff whatever we say. They enjoy spoiling her and I don't want to rain on their parade

What about the kiddzoom camera- looks amazing my 3 year old is getting one. I have had similar stresses over technology toys and am thinking the same- she will be left behind if she isn't techno savvy! I would look as someone else said about getting a tablet rather than the kids version as the games are around £20 whereas apps are a few pounds so would be able to get more.

I've got my DD1 an innotab 3s for Christmas. It was between that and the leappad and I can't for the life of me remember why I went for the innotab. I think there was much of a muchness. I wanted to get the kiddies version rather than an adult tablet.

I'm not worried about my DD1 (who is 3.7) not running around, reading books, playing etc as she does so much of this anyway. I am actually the opposite and need her to sit quietly at times and am hoping this will help.

Ah reading the previous posters post reminded me why I went for the innotab. She had the vetch kiddie zoom camera and the innotab connects with that somehow. Not sure how, hopefully she will be more techno savvy than me

We have DC 3 & 6. Occasionally they play on the leappad but it doesn't get a look in when my iPad is near. But I will let them take the leappad out to cafés etc when it is useful (though they often chose paper and pens instead).

I think it is a good present for a 3y old and it can grow with them with new (expensive!) games too.