Leapster explorer game cards

My 2 year old absolutely loves the LeapPad2. I don't allow him to use my iPad by himself, so he's quite impressed with himself when he's allowed to pick it up and walk around with it. We even let him take it with him in the car, although I've lost track of the number of times my wife has had to unbuckle to reach back and pick it off the floor after he's dropped it.

The key point here is that the thing is not only rock solid and tough, but that's its extremely engaging for a two year old. When he first turns it on, he sees a picture of himself and his name that he's since learned to tap on with the stylus to open up access to his apps.

And even though he doesn't understand most of the rules of the games available or some of the more advanced drawing and animation tools such as those found in the really cool Disney drawing app , he still has a blast playing with it. The LeapFrog Connect service is also still available; you can connect the LeapPad2 to your computer and upload data from the various apps that track your child's progress with spelling, math, reading, and more. It's not that useful for me right now with my 2 year old, but I imagine it won't be much longer before I can actually start making sense of some of the results.

Until then, I'm just pleased when my youngest hops up on the couch with me to watch him flip ebook pages and do sketches and take photos.

He's also just discovered Pet Pals 2, and he's got a little digital puppy dog that he's feeding, walking, training, and more. It won't be too much longer before he's starting to write letters, read along with some ebooks, and figure out some of the more complex games. And while I still find my 5 year old occasionally playing with the new LeapPad2 mainly when the 2 year old isn't anywhere around , it's the new LeapsterGS that has grabbed his attention.

I'm not sure if it's because it has a form factor similar to handheld gaming units like the Nintendo DS family, but he sure does like to hunker down on the couch with it. I mentioned earlier that the LeapPad and the LeapsterGS share compatibility with the LeapFrog cartridge system — this is a big deal, as owners of the older Leapster Explorer can use their cartridges with the newer LeapsterGS.

My son has friends with Leapster Explorer devices, and he can play those older cartridges on his LeapsterGS. My son has some great games that we acquired while he was enjoying the LeapPad 1 , and both of us are happy that he can continue to play those games on the LeapsterGS. I had originally loaded it as an app for my iPad for testing and review, and he loved the story and the interactive elements it contained. But this cartridge has a completely new interface as well as some fun games that he can now play by himself.

There are a number of mini-games that he can select some use the stylus and as he plays he fills up the gas tank that unlocks more secrets and there's this cool feature called MicroMods that let him customize certain features of the game such as his Magic School Bus Driver's License. I don't think he's discovered all the game badges yet, either, but the 2 year old has now discovered the cartridge and I'm anticipating an upcoming battle for this well-done title.

As for the Disney Phineas and Ferb cartridge, I'll go ahead and be the adult here and tell you that I've played it more than my son. I love Phineas and Ferb, and while my 5 year old is slowly discovering this gem of a show, he just doesn't yet quite get all of the humor.

He loves the cartridge that has elements of logic and math, but there's a story running through the cartridge that has the boys designing gadgets that involve a bit more complex topics than my 5 year old seems to be able to comprehend. It doesn't matter — the game is here when he's ready, and it's hilarious. The LeapsterGS has an improved processor, so it's going to be faster than the Leapster Explorer, and just as the LeapPad2 has a rechargeable battery pack for sale, you can also pick one up for the GS if you want to save some money on batteries.

The GS has some familiar hardware, as well It's a great little gaming system, and I've had just as much fun playing some of the included games and my son's cartridges as he's had. Over the last few weeks I've watched to see what he does when given so many choices, and I'll admit that what I've observed is quite surprising.

One day he'll be playing Angry Birds like crazy on my wife's iPad, the next day he's playing a wave runner-style game on the Nabi and the next day he's learning about shrimp and lobsters on the LeapsterGS.

He doesn't seem to have a favorite, but instead hunts down the device that gives him whatever it is he's seeking at the moment. And because he typically isn't given full access to the iPad, he's more likely to reach for the Nabi or the LeapsterGS.

He's given up on trying to use the LeapPad2 after losing one too many custody battles — he knows he can play the cartridges on the GS, too. As for the 2 year old, the LeapPad2 is the clear winner. It's his, and he knows it. I don't know how long this will last, but he's hung on to the original LeapPad for some time now, so I'm not anticipating him losing interest in the LeapPad2 anytime soon.

What's even funnier is that he now asks for me to roll him down the LeapFrog aisle at Target to look at the cartridge box covers. I've tested and reviewed a lot of hardware for kids in the past, and I always fall back on the most basic of tests — do my kids enjoy it? Are my kids learning things or developing skills that will benefit them elsewhere in life? Do I have to worry about my child using this piece of hardware without my constant supervision?

And do my children feel good about themselves With the LeapFrog hardware, the answers to these questions are always the right ones.

Yes, my kids enjoy it. Yes, they're learning things. No, I don't have to worry about drops or inappropriate content. Yes, they smile and scream for Dad to come running so they can show me what they're doing. As with all things, they get the hardware in moderation. But when they do get it, they enjoy the time. Plus, get tips, printables and more!

Choose from hundreds of fun learning games, eBooks, apps, videos, music and more—designed by learning experts, just for children! Our learning library draws from 2, skills beyond core subject areas. Reading and Writing. Disney Jake and the Never Land Pirates. Disney Doc McStuffins. LeapFrog Headphones.

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