by Lori Cunningham
I applied to host a LeapFrog Party through MomSelect in order to showcase LeapFrog’s newest tablet product, theLeapPad, and their LeapFrog Tag Reading System. The party was called a “Learn, Create & Share” party and LeapFrog sent a party kit with the following items to facilitate the party:
- A LeapPad™ learning tablet
Pre-loaded with great games and apps, including the Cars 2 Ultra eBook, plus one LeapSchool game cartridge and one LeapFrog App Center download card.
- A Tag™ Reading System
Including books and a Tag interactive pen, as well as a World Map and the Learn to Read book set.
- LeapFrog Learn, Create, & Share Party invitations
- Themed activities and easy-to-make recipes
- Demos/fact sheets
- $5 coupons off the purchase of any LeapFrog Explorer game over $19 and coupons for $4 off any Tag book or map over $9.99
My kids were so excited to play with the LeapPad and Tag Reading System. I told them to become the experts on both products because they would be helping to demonstrate them at our party. Both kids took their jobs seriously and fought over whose turn it was to use the LeapPad at every opportunity.
The day of the party, which was held after our weekly half day from school, we had 11 kids and 5 adults come. We served pizza then delved into the LeapFrog products. Our invited guests could not wait to see the new LeapPad. Many of the moms were already familiar with the LeapPad, though they had never seen one up close.
The kids were very intrigued by the LeapFrog LeapPad. They loved the branded games and books (Cars, Toy Story, Dora, etc.), the ability to take pictures and videos, and the option to add their picture inside the stories they were reading.
There are over 100 interactive books, games, videos, and apps available. Not all of them are available on the LeapPad. To get more games you can either buy cartridges from retail stores or connect your LeapPad online to purchase additional apps from LeapPad Connect.
The boys at the party, all kindergarteners, really liked the LeapFrog Tag Reading System. They are learning how to read in Kindergarten and liked the ability to have a tool that will read words they don’t know yet.
LeapFrog has a cool Interactive World Map that looks like a game board that folds out. One one side of the 35″ x 20″board
you see the world, broken down by countries. The other side emphasizes the continents of the world and a chance to learn fun facts about wildlife, landmarks and famous places, mountain ranges, deserts, lakes, rivers, oceans, and how to say “hello” in other languages. The Interactive World Map includes games that make learning fun.
What I liked about the Tag reading system is the flexibility if offers. Kids can touch one word at a time to hear the word or press a circle on the page which reads the entire book for them. When reading with my son, there’s always one word that is repeated over and over that he forgets each time. Pressing the Tag pen on the word is fun and helps him remember the word better.
Without a doubt, the LeapPad was the hit of the party. The LeapPad acts and looks similar to a tablet, so the kids are immediately intrigued by it. And I have to tell you, the LeapPad is the first toy that has come around to sway my kids’ attendtion away from my iPad. And the kids also like the fact that they can play the LeapPad anytime without having to ask my permission, unlike the iPad. It’s a win-win! Finally, more time for the iPad for myself!
LeapPad Features:
- Touch Screen: 5 inches, 480×272 pixel resolution
- Camera: 640×480 resolution
- Video Recorder: 320×240 resolution
- Input Controls: D-pad, touch screen, embedded microphone, camera, motion sensor
- Connectors: Cartridge slot, AC adapter, audio jack, USB connector
- Battery Requirements: 4 AA batteries (not included)
- Battery Life: Approximately 8+ hours
- 2GB storage
- Pet Writing App
- Story Studio App (needs to be downloaded)
- Art Studio App (needs to be downloaded)
- Free App Download (needs to be downloaded)
- USB Cable
- LeapFrog® Connect CD & Quickstart Guide
- Extra stylus with tether string
The LeapPad retails for $99 and comes with either pink or green corner highlights. Amazon sells the LeapFrog LeapPad for $99 including free shipping. The Tag reading system is $35.98 with free shipping at Amazon. See Leapfrog.com for more products available for the Tag Reading System.
The kids at the party were pretty excited by the LeapFrog products so we arranged that each family could spend a week with both the LeapFrog LeapPad and Tag Reading System. In the meanwhile, the kids are after my iPad again!
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