Please or to access all these features

Add post

Watch this thread

Save thread

Start a new thread

Flip thread

Hide thread

My feed

Active Unanswered threads

Getting started FAQ's

Unanswered threads Acronyms Talk guidelines

Hide shortcut buttons

Talk

Shopping

From everyday essentials to big purchases, swap tips and recommendations. For the best deals without the hassle, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Flip

Original poster

What do people think of the leapster stuff for age 6+?

24 replies

Aero · 14/07/2006 12:03

It's dd's 6th birthday in a few weeks and tbh, I'm stumped. All she wants is one of those revolting alien things!!! (The goop in it sticks like concrete so there's no way this wish will be fulfilled).

Anyway, the leapster console has taken my eye. She quite likes her little v-tech computer and I was thinking this might be fun for a change. I realize they're expensive (so if anyone has the pink one for sale in great condition, perhaps with some games..........), but I just wanted your views on whether its a worthwhile outlay.
I expect she'll be chuffed to bits with the newsuper-duper flashing lights hula hoop that she'll be getting, but I don't know anything at all about Leapster. Views/recommendations would be appreciated please and also which games are good. TIA

OP posts:

Original poster

Aero · 14/07/2006 12:48

bump

OP posts:

Dingle · 14/07/2006 13:14

Hi Aero, how are you hunny?

DS loved his when he first got it a few years ago. (He is now nearly 7) But I feel the range of games really lets it down. We got the leapster shortly after it came out I think, but then the Leapster max came out and they haven't really released many games since- perhaps a couple a year.

It is good, fun and educational though.

Original poster

Aero · 14/07/2006 13:45

I'm good thanks Dingle. Thanks for that. I'm hoping a few more mners put in their opinions too so I can guage the feeling and value for money on this product. I know she wouldn't enjoy the Gameboy thing so much as I think the games are too complicated for her and she'd get frustrated easily, but this somehow looks more appealing and like she could probably manage the games specifically designed for her age group. Naturally though, I don't want to shell out a small fortune for something which will lie redundant in the cupboard and then get flogged on Ebay after a while!

OP posts:

Original poster

Aero · 14/07/2006 14:40

Anyone else got one of these to recommend or otherwise (please.......hoping to shop asap for dd's pressie)?

OP posts:

Original poster

Aero · 14/07/2006 17:35

bump - someone must have one.....

OP posts:

Original poster

Aero · 14/07/2006 20:54

no-one - really? Think I'll have to think again then......

OP posts:

Jbck · 14/07/2006 21:36

DD loves hers but she's not yet 5 & I can see it losing it's appeal by the time she's a year or so older. I think the games are a bit tame for older kids. In saying that I've never really looked at the older ones but I'm sure her Dora game is for 4-7 & I couldn't see a 7yr old playing with it.

foxinsocks · 14/07/2006 21:40

I have a dd turning 6 in a few weeks time aswell

are you sure she would find the gameboy too complicated? there are quite a few girly games now (though we haven't got one!)

think dd would quite fancy a super duper flashing lights hula hoop - where did you get that from?

I was thinking of getting dd a cd/radio thing so she could play audio books in her room. What else have you thought of?

charliecat · 14/07/2006 21:42

this is my recomendation of the day

nooka · 14/07/2006 21:47

ds got one the Christmas before last, and both he and dd do play with it every now and then, but the games are pretty expensive IMO. They both seem to enjoy the playstation he got last Christmas much more, and dd (5 1/2) can play the simpler games (both she and dh are very keen on Bratz!).

Original poster

Aero · 14/07/2006 21:51

Thanks for replies jbck and foxy.

She has no interest in ds1's gameboy whatsoever, but this looks bigger and somehow easier. I saw a Bratz game for it on ToysRUs website which I though she might like, but it's true, the choice looks limited. She's a very 'young' six really - just beginning to get the hang of games on the pc using the keyboard rather than the mouse etc.

Maybe something like a dancemat might appeal to her, although do we need a games console for that or can you buy one that works without?

The hula hoop, I saw in TOY ZONE in the local outlet centre. It's cheap as chips and I know she'll love it.

Other things are some new story CDs and some crafty bits from ELC or similar. Any other suggestions are welcome.

OP posts:

Original poster

Aero · 14/07/2006 21:59

Actually cc - that looks like fun, but suspct I'd have to buy three of them if I want to avoid arguments.

Thanks nooka. Ds1 has a gamecube already, so not sure I wanted to go down the ps2 route, although there are a few games dh and I might like too!

OP posts:

foxinsocks · 14/07/2006 21:59

the only other (small) thing I had thought of was the sort of plastic thing they put round their ankle, then they sort of fling it around in a circle and jump over it (have no idea what it is called!). Have seen it in local toy shops and alot of the more co-ordinated kids have it in the playground! However, it is on a similar theme to the hula hoop.

Re dance mats - someone gave us one last year (we had to plug something into the TV) - dd never got the hang of it and I tried it again the other day and she just doesn't have the co-ordination to make it work properly yet. I think she finds it frustrating that she can't get it right quickly. I think if your dd is good at that sort of thing, she might quite enjoy it but it is quite tricky.

Has she got a bike?

foxinsocks · 14/07/2006 22:01

I have never seen those things cc!

charliecat · 14/07/2006 22:03

oops i didnt meant to link to that, someone else saw it on this mornings tv and i had linked it saying they were on ebay already...heres what i meant to link to

charliecat · 14/07/2006 22:04

and heres the thread about the other thing

Original poster

Aero · 14/07/2006 22:15

That's the same link cc - am dying to know your other suggestion now.

Foxy, she has a bike. Think she could probably handle a dance mat now although it will frustrate her no doubt in the beginning. Am trying to encourage her to 'never give up' though, and would hope that once she's done it a few times she'll get the hang of it. She's mad about all the clapping games etc in the playground atm, so I think she's coming to the stage where she could manage a little co-ordination.

I know the ankle things you mean - that's another good idea - perhaps as a present from her brothers.

OP posts:

charliecat · 14/07/2006 22:40

please let this be it or i will curl up in shame

nooka · 14/07/2006 22:51

My dd just loves presents, so she is easy to buy for! I like buying her crafty type stuff best, as she will immediately start to make things with them, also dressing up things, and pretty clothes go down well. For her birthday in September I'm going to get her something from the playmobil magic range (she's keen on the palace, but it is expensive, so we will see)

Original poster

Aero · 14/07/2006 22:52

Oh yes - I saw your earlier thread - looks good but she already has a sticker maker. Might purchase a few for other birthdays though.

Just found this which looks good and has good amazon reviews and no need to buy a console either. In fact only problem would be dd would want the pc in mumsnetting time! lol

OP posts:

Rafaella · 15/07/2006 15:35

My 6yo ds has leapster and still really enjoys it - brilliant for car journeys. The games are educational as well as fun. Before you get it have a good look at the games available and see if you think your dd will like them. The Bratz game is very American - one games is all about identifying US states - so not great. If you get a dance mat get one for the tv, not the computer - they just plug and play. The Singstar range of Playstation games are fantastic for girls but you have to have the Playstation of course. Another idea is a Tamagotchi - there is a new version just out. My ds got one for his 6th bday and loved it - best if friends have them too as they can connect with each other.

Original poster

Aero · 15/07/2006 18:17

Thanks rafaella. I saw the leapster today whilst doing other things and it does look like the sort of thing she'd enjoy, especially on car journeys.

I like the dance mat idea too, but think it's fairly pointless unless we had a console as the plug and play ones seem to have a very limited amount of tunes.

Hadn't thought of tamagotchi, so another avenue to explore. Thanks

OP posts:

Rafaella · 15/07/2006 19:04

Sorry, yes you are right - our dancemat plugs into Playstation, not tv.

LizP · 15/07/2006 19:44

ds1 was given a leapster for xmas when he was 4 and still plays with it at 6 as does ds2. We have Dora game and spongebob and a couple of others i can't remember. It is good when travelling and they play it every so often at home. This is the most hi-tech toy they own so for them has novelty value.

Flip