Are LeapPads any good?

[lulupop]

Thinking of getting one of these for DS's 3rd birthday. Looks like it might be sort of educational as well as fun. Are they good? Worth the money? And which one should I get? There seem to be 2 kinds for different age groups (sounds like just another way to get us to spend more money to me) - which one would be best for a 3 yr old?

MY dd is 2 and we have the 'Age 3 & up' one. DD plays with it but obviously not to it's full capacity. I think she will enjoy it once she's a little older.

Ds had one for his 3rd birthday. THe normal Leapad from 4years plus. He loves it and sits down with it. Can change the cartrige and is now getting the hang of touching the pen on the go box everytime he turns the page. He doesn't play with it an awful lot but that's mainly out fault as we put it away out of reach if dd (nearly 2) got hold of it she would destry it.. She's going trough her distructive stage. We try and have a go with it every night. I'd get one but don't be too disheartened if your ds doesn't show much interest at 1st. Too many b'day prezzies. THey're easily overwhelmed. I put ds one away for about 2 or 3 weeks until he'd come down from his b'day!!!

My 3 year old loves the 4+ leappad. We have it on long term loan from Grommit whose daughter wasn't the slightest bit interested. And like woodpops ds it took him a while but he can do all the controls now (including the volume unfortunately).

The extra books are a bit pricey though but have done swaps with friends for weeks at a time which is useful.

Bought for dd - waste of money.

bought ds one for his 4th birthday, loves it, uses it all the time, great for car journeys

we brought one for dd (4) for christmas. She never uses it - total waste of money

bought one for DD when they first came out, have bought a couple of new books and they both still play with it,

sweetheart, do you want to sell it???

I would but unfortunatly I think it's broken. Sometimes it goes a bit wibbly - like the chip inside is malfunctioning or something.

We got it from ELC and everything I buy from there (electic's wise) seems to break, anyway that's besides the point.

I didn't keep the box either. Perhaps you could look on ebay though

sorry I meant electrics

DS (age 3) has one and loves it.
I just keep a look out for when shops have the books and cartridges on special offer and stock up then as they are quite expensive full price.

seems like it might be worthwhile getting one then, as DS does love his (normal, old-fashioned!) books. My mum is a reception teacher so he gets plenty of encouragement!

Anyone know of anywhere they're on offer?

I'm thinking of getting one for ds (4.5).

If you are around, Lulupops, ELC are doing them for £30.

Boots have them for £34 but are in their 3 for 2 Christmas range, so you could get the Pad, and 2 books to go with it (i.e. getting one free).

Has anyone got any thoughts on how this compares with the Fisher Price Powertouch Learning System?

Leadpad is very good.

Although bear in mind they get their money by making the additional books you have to buy about £12 each. Crafty I call it.