Leapster 2, a Mother's Review

Five years ago, I would have been the first person to say, "video gaming is not healthy for kids." Here it is 2010, and now with a growing child who is curious about everything. This year she received a toy for Christmas, and at first I really was hesitant about it, that she would probably just sit there playing useless games and not learning the things necessary for life. Well I was wrong! I'm not too proud to admit that.

LeapFrog has really done something amazing for children with this product. Games range from toddler groups up, with varying levels of learning skills, including mathematics, reading, spelling, concentration, following directions, and grammar. Cartridges are loaded with fun, like Disney's Pixar Cars, The Frog Princess, The Disney Princesses, and so many others, like Animal Genius which shows children where these animals habitats are, what they eat, how to spell, and distinguish certain groups and problem solving, and another wonderful one is a Draw and Write game where toddlers can learn how to make their letters and numbers and have fun with drawing too. One of the features includes making a "flip book" to show children how cartoons are made and put into motion. The stylus (pen attached, makes it easy) How cool is that!?

Okay, so most toys like this, batteries need to keep getting purchased? This one has a spot for an AC adapter (adapter not included) or to plug into the cigarette lighter in your car. (who says a cigarette lighter isn't a benefit to the non-smoking groups!?) For the good old battery usage there is an item one can purchase to keep the batteries charged also.

Further features include a spot to place an SD card into to save informational game play or download games. (inside the back where the battery pack is located) It also has preloaded game play if you are without the cartridges. More than one person can play on many games, and the child can choose his/her name, daddy, mommy, or anyone else wanted to include in the gaming system.

Yes there is even more, included in this cool game is a software CD for the "Learning Pack" online. This provides parents an inside look at how far their child is coming along at their skill levels, and more!

To add more to the fun, some of these games contain secret codes. Once the child has surpassed a certain skill they can get online and put the code in to get other games, or you can go to a site and even purchase and download games to the SD card and load it into the Leapster 2. Another great feature is that Leapster 2 takes cartridges from the original Leapster game (or vice versa) LeapMax, and quite possibly other LeapFrog learning systems! (So don't think you accidentally bought the wrong cartridge and it won't work. SURPRISE! It does!!!)

So a great big thanks to LeapFrog, from one very happy mom, and one incredibly smart kid busy learning and having fun at the same time!