Leapster explorer leap pad vs gs vs iPad

[peggyfromwastate]

I want to get dd4 something to use in the car. She asks to play on my phone but I don't like that and the txt messages I get constantly pop up and annoy her lol.

I am not a big fan of the idea of spending $$$ on an electronic toy unless it has staying power-- like the DSlite the kids have. Totally have entertained them for a long time.

But I'm not going to hijack myself w a DSlite vs dsxl3ds discussion...

Lol...

Anyway--

What I think I like about the leapster over an iPad is that it's less $$, true games are $$ but I am hoping there is more to them than the typical iPad app/game which is pretty slim in content. (but for $1 a game u don't expect much). It seems like the leapster games are more educational which is a plus. And maybe more user friendly? I don't know.

So this question is really about this: do I let dd4 use my old iPhone 3GS as a touch? Or do I give her a new leapster leap pad? Or a leapster gs? She is in the car with me from about 3-6 every day, in and out of the car. She draws and colors and plays at our destinations, but the 45 min to 1 hour of drive time is usually spent listening to her whine! I'd rather she was playing a learning game at that time... Preferably with earphones.

What would you do?

And also is the leap pad really worth $30 more than the gs? I'm inclined to say yes-- because the screen is so much bigger. But I'm curious? Anyone btdt?

[Pollyanna]

I don't have great advice but will be watching this thread closely. I am considering the InnoTab 2S Pink Wi-Fi Learning App Tablet from Vtech for dd3. Have you looked at that option Peggy?

[peggyfromwastate]

Why yes I have. Just now at toys r us. My head is spinning. Ugh.

[peggyfromwastate]

But Tara does that work only with wifi? I need something for in the car... I'll have to look at it more but I'm just... Blah. So over toys at this point.

I just think the iPod/iPad apps aren't very educational. And I'd love to sneak a little passive education in there. Letter recognition, number recognition, etc etc.

[SuzySunshine]

I've actually had the opposite with educational apps on the ipod touch - our kids have had a touch for about a year. R has gotten good with his letters and numbers, learning to write them and recognize them. I've seen the kids play with my nieces LeapPad and I didn't think it was as educational. I know they're more expensive but I'm taking R to the apple store on Friday to see what fits in his hand better the ipad mini or the new ipod touch - they'll be getting one or the other for Christmas. And yes, there are some apps that are only wifi but there are those that don't require wifi.

[diggitydot]

There are a metric shit ton of educational apps for iPods/iPads/iPhones. DS' language therapist has a list of ones just for kids with language disorders like the little dude.

[v-girl]

K loves his Leap Pad tablet and still plays with it. He does love the iPad more, but we can't afford to give a 5 year old a $500 toy. That's for mommy and daddy!

[SuzySunshine]

And if you're worried about an ipod touch or an ipad getting broken Otterbox does make cases for all of them!

[Phoebe]

We're giving our 6 year old my 3GS iPhone to use as a touch. She had an leap steer and a DS. She prefers the iPad and iPhone now. She's asking for an IPod touch 5, but that won't be happening this year.

[peggyfromwastate]

Otterboxes are expensive--- dh has one for his iPad and we have them on our iPhones...

Worth the $ to protect the investment, but it stings....

[Flynn]

We are considering the Leapster Explorer for DD2 for Christmas (he's 4) and would love some feedback here.

We were considering the Kindle Fire for our older kids so they could do books and apps and it doesn't have the price tag of the IPAD or Itouch (we have one of each they are old and they are family toys) .

Any thoughts?

[v-girl]

I would do a Kindle Fire instead of an iPad for a little one. Much smaller price tag!

[migirl]

Re: Leapster Explorer ... My boys each have one and they really like them. They've had them for a couple of years and I think my older son (almost 7yo) is aging out of his, but he still plays it occasionally. It's been a big hit in our house, I'd highly recommend.

[hanginginthere]

We got dd the innotab 2 S for her birthday- it has a car and ac adapter and lots of games plus it can go online...all done it was about $150 or so....

[birdhouse]

I used to be embarrassed to tell people that all 3 of my children had their own IPads, but they have truly been my life-saver on several occasions. My children do not share well, so sharing was not an option. However, I got all 3 of them used by waiting until people were upgrading and looking to sell their older versions. I had them checked out by Apple and actually only paid $199 for a 32 gb original IPad about a year ago. The older 2 have since traded up at the used electronic store for upgraded models. There are just so many more options with the IPads, however a great second choice is the Kindle. My children are 12, 4, and 2.

Just my 2 cents...