Is 8 years old too old for Leappad?? My son just turned 8 years old, Those of you that have these in your homes, what do you think??
1349107
Jewel train, Sugar Bugs and Alphabet Stew are the titles geared toward the older children. There are 2 new Discovery videos geared toward the 5-9 age group. Other than that, the selection may be limited and your son may find it interesting a few days and they he may quickly outgrow the product. I hope that Leapfrog expands their library toward the 7-10 age range. There are maybe 3 to 4 cartridge games also for the 5-9 age range like X-Man and NFL Rush Zone. If I was in yours shoes, I would perhaps consider buying a Nintendo DS as they also have good educational titles and also play some of the leisure games with the same device. Our 6 year old is getting the LeapPad as well as the Nintendo DS Lite (same price now). Hope this is helpful.
667411
Well.. the leapster is not a leap pad/tablet, but the ultra IS. Leapfrog makes a leapster explorer (which is a handheld) and a leapster GS (also a handheld) the leap pads (1 and 2) and now the new leap pad ultra. With the exception of the orignial leap pad and the new ultra, we have all systems, and the game runs on them. I think you need to clarify that they are getting a leapster explorer, which takes these green cartridges. It is possible they may be getting a used leapster (which is a much older version of the system and takes much larger cartridges... I am not sure it is still sold in stores, but of course is second hand) I would ask for clarification.
379806
My son is 2 1/2. I bought him the Leapster TV Learning System. He can play that really well since the controls are bigger. Check the games though since for many you need to be able to recognize letters, numbers, etc. His favorite is the Cars one. My daughter (5 years old) has the Leapster L-Max & was 3 1/2 when we got it. It took her several months to get good at it. (The new Leapster comes out this week)
1351489
My Little Guy is three and loves the InnoTab. The innoTab has a huge assortment of programs in varying age ranges. I think at the age of 8 I might start my Little Guy out on the laptop though and keep a close eye on him. That's just my opinion though.Leslie
1952923
we own the original leapster but from any knowledge that ive had I am about 90% sure they made the leapster two so it can still play all the old games. but a leap pad and leapster are two different components all together so a leapster2 yes a leap pad im gonna say no.
1155858
For any child 5 and under, I would have to recommend the Leapster 2. Even at 5, they would still get a couple of years out of it before they lost interest. I have an advanced 4 year old, and he is showing no signs of outgrowing his, plus their are several new games designed for an older age range (Digging for Dinosaurs, Wolverine, etc). My reason for discouraging the DS is that it is less educational but much cooler as far as graphics. Therefore, once they get into the DS the Leapster will be history, but so will the much more educational games.
1155853
I agree wholeheartedly that it depends on the child. Our daughter received her ds at 5 and had no problems using it right away. Our son just turned 3 and we're considering purchasing something similar for him because he already knows how to do some things on the computer and work portions of my iphone. If you think the stylus may be too difficult for him to handle at this age, go with the leapster or let them try an old gameboy perhaps.
1778292
my son got his 1st ds at 6 and still loves it. I think a ds lite is fine i dont think you need a dsi. It did break at the hinge (his fault) so we bought him a second hand refurb one for 70.00 aud.i can tell you he takes very good care of the hinge now after being without it for a while. Rather than buying mario etc games that can be expensive buy some non trademark games or pre owned games. my son is a tech head and loves his play station 2 and wii but i think he would say he loves his ds best. having said all that i agree also with the itouch or ipad as most of the apps are free and there are loads of educational apps available on the net. my son got his 1st ds at 6 and still loves it. I think a ds lite is fine i dont think you need a dsi. It did break at the hinge (his fault) so we bought him a second hand refurb one for 70.00 aud.i can tell you he takes very good care of the hinge now after being without it for a while. Rather than buying mario etc games that can be expensive buy some non trademark games or pre owned games. my son is a tech head and loves his play station 2 and wii but i think he would say he loves his ds best. having said all that i agree also with the itouch or ipad as most of the apps are free and there... » Read More my son got his 1st ds at 6 and still loves it. I think a ds lite is fine i dont think you need a dsi. It did break at the hinge (his fault) so we bought him a second hand refurb one for 70.00 aud.i can tell you he takes very good care of the hinge now after being without it for a while. Rather than buying mario etc games that can be expensive buy some non trademark games or pre owned games. my son is a tech head and loves his play station 2 and wii but i think he would say he loves his ds best. having said all that i agree also with the itouch or ipad as most of the apps are free and there are loads of educational apps available on the net. « Show Less
2099127
I bought both the Explorer and LeapPad for my 3 and 5 year olds for Christmas. I bought a couple of game cartridges as well as app cards. How do you install the apps in both? I was told at TRU that you could only install an app on one device. Good to know that he was wrong.
1914670
It is geared toward younger kids, the games would be too easy for an 8 year old. I think all of them max out at 8 for the age range, (many are 4-6 year old, and some are 5-8). The game system would probably interest them for a few hours or days max.
1778291
Nope...once they get to age 8, that is about it for the learning toys/Leapfrog line. Didj may get you for a short while, but it was short lived in my house.Can I ask why you don't want to get a DS? They have some great learning games for it!
774816
Thanks once again. I ordered her LeapPad today. Got a great bundle deal from LeapFrog plus free shipping. Her school just got one this week also, so we will be able to work together.
742828
Our game works just fine on LeapPad 2. Did you put game in the slot? Then turn it on and it should work just fine. These games are compatible with all LepPads.
1294875
My three yr old daughter got a LEAPSTER for her 3rd Christmas. And she did quit well with it and has played the older games. She is now 4 and doing math. So I think they are very age apporiate IF used with learning games. It takes them awhile to figure it all out but she played what she could with the pre-k games. (coloring, shapes, take care of pets, etc.)
1052043
David, Yes my 3 year old has been playing with her leapad2 since she was 2 and I upgraded to the ultra because of the bigger screen and better graphics. Her only complain was that its heavy but that was easily forgotten.
1294873
My children who are now all a bit older, went through the same phase. They learned they needed to be X years old to have a DS. I believe the bar was set at age 5 or when they were responsible enough. Granted, the youngest tend to get things younger and younger, but still...it's nice for the oldest to be special. We went the Leapster route and my son was content for about a year....possibly a bit longer. The games were not as challenging as those for DS and he was very proud of HIS own special game system. They do make some games for the younger ones now, but why not be successful with a Leapster first and move up to a DS? You'll be glad you did! My children who are now all a bit older, went through the same phase. They learned they needed to be X years old to have a DS. I believe the bar was set at age 5 or when they were responsible enough. Granted, the youngest tend to get things younger and younger, but still...it's nice for the oldest to be special. We went the Leapster route and my son was content for about a year....possibly a bit longer. The games were not as challenging as those for DS and he was very proud of HIS own special game system. They do make some games for the younger ones now, but why not be successful with a... » Read More My children who are now all a bit older, went through the same phase. They learned they needed to be X years old to have a DS. I believe the bar was set at age 5 or when they were responsible enough. Granted, the youngest tend to get things younger and younger, but still...it's nice for the oldest to be special. We went the Leapster route and my son was content for about a year....possibly a bit longer. The games were not as challenging as those for DS and he was very proud of HIS own special game system. They do make some games for the younger ones now, but why not be successful with a Leapster first and move up to a DS? You'll be glad you did! « Show Less
1351480
I think a smart 8-year old is very close to being on the outer edge of a kid who could appreciate this. I, too, have a smart 8-year old and she can be entertained by it from time to time, but not for long and really has outgrown it. Sorry, but not sure what a better, similar item would be. Hope that helps.