question about leappads

[KristinCB]

I know i asked about it on facebook but can't remember if I asked here..

Lucas' 4th bday is coming up next week (HOLY HECK) and anyways might get him the leap pad (please don't suggest an itouch cause it ain't happening

anyways for those that have it would you buy it again? is it worth it?

also is there a way to hide the app store or whatever it is so that the kids wouldn't know you can buy other games?

[MamaBee]

Ooh.... I've been looking at getting ones of these for J, too... J LOVES his vreader so I'm pretty sure he will love this too. So, I'll be watching what others have to say... however, I'd probably be getting the vtech one... we are a vtech family.

[lovely1m]

Nick also has the vReader and loves it plus he has an iPad and loves it, so I can imagine the Leap Pad would be awesome for him.

[Jennilyn]

I don't think you can get to the app store through the LeapPad as far as I know. Although Kaylee doesn't play hers as much as I'd like. It runs out of batteries quickly so you better get the charger or rechargeables! My ILs bought Kaylee's, but I think I'd spend the money on it if she didn't have one already.

[rach3975]

I was considering one for Ben, but I decided against it because he already has a Leapster 2. Too many of the games offered are the same, but our existing cartridges wouldn't work on it. All 3 of my kids love/loved Leapster, and if I was buying one for the first time today I think I'd get the Explorer Leappad. The biggest negative that I've seen about it is that it goes through batteries a lot faster than our Leapster 2's seem to.

[Joana1n]

We have a LeapPad. You can't get to the app store from it. You have to access the store from the computer. However, there is a "Previews" app that is basically an advertisement for several of the games that are available. I find that annoying, as it feeds the "More Monster" in my 5-year-old daughter and she frequently asks if we can get this game or that game. But it did have an upside, as currently she is working to save money to buy Pet Pals 2, so I guess it's not all bad.

IME, it's pricey. There's the initial outlay for the unit, plus $15-30 for each game cartridge you want to buy. The cheapest games from the app store are $7.50, and some of the game expansions are also that much. And then there's the battery cost - you'll be better off if you buy 8 rechargeable batteries and a charger. This thing rips through batteries like no other electronic toy we've had in the past!

Also, I've had trouble accessing LeapWorld (where you redeem points earned from playing the games for stuff, like treats and shampoo for your virtual pet), which is frustrating.

All that said, am I glad we have it? Absolutely. I'm considering possibly getting a second one for my son for his birthday in October, although the kids are pretty good about sharing the one, so I may not do that after all. We'll see.

Hope that helps some!

[Jennilyn]

Originally Posted by Joana1n

Also, I've had trouble accessing LeapWorld (where you redeem points earned from playing the games for stuff, like treats and shampoo for your virtual pet), which is frustrating.

They were having problems in January. I thought it was just me then I went to the FB page and saw a ton of people commenting about it. I haven't had to connect for a while...maybe there's problems again?

[SweetMelissa]

We bought one for our 4 year old son and its the best thing EVER. Troy would play it all day if we let him. You can't buy games on the LeapPad. What you do is connect the LeapPad to your computer & buy games/apps on your computer & it transfers to the LeapPad. I do suggest buying a wall plug for it. We found that our son goes through batteries in three to four days depending on what we are doing (we went to Walt Disney World and he played games, read books & watched videos on it the whole way up, then played with it at our hotel for a day and the batteries were done). We now limit his time on it (because he would seriously just play on it all day long) and now we can get through two weeks on the batteries as long as he uses the wall plug for it when he's home or at my parents house.

I would buy it again in a heart beat.

[isaacsmom]

We got one for my son Isaac (6 yrs old) for Christmas and he LOVES it! It was totally worth the money in my opinion. You can't get to the app store on it. It does go through batteries so investing in rechargeable batteries is the only way to go. But we already had that for other things that we use batteries for (ie my hubby's headphones for his xbox play...lol). We have bought a few apps for it, but he has had it since Christmas and it has kept him quite content.

[LeeAndra]

I thought this said 'leopards' at first and thought, 'Dang, that gurl really does NOT want to work on her kit for this week!'

[KristinCB]

you just really made me giggle
lol

[luckyme]

We have a Leapster Explorer and it takes the same games as the LeapPad. Games are pricey, in my opinion, but my kiddo loves them. Costco had a good deal on the Leapster Explorer recently, btw.

I'm not sure if the LeapPad has a recharging station like the Leapster Explorer has - but you should consider that in your budget. Especially given the batteries these things go through!

[terrab]

I also thought it said Leopards and couldn't understand why on earth you were even considering getting a leopard for Lucas for his birthday.... I think its time for me to get some sleep.

[KristinCB]

hey! you know a leopard might be about the only thing that could keep up with him energy wise :P

[Julie Billingsley]

Originally Posted by LeeAndra

I thought this said 'leopards' at first and thought, 'Dang, that gurl really does NOT want to work on her kit for this week!'

I also keep reading it as leopards! LOL