I have been a fan of Leapfrog products for a while now – as well as being heaps of fun for children, they all have a learning and educational function too – a total winner in my book! We have been trying out the LeapPad 3, the LeapReader and the Read with me Scout – with the aim of showing the children that reading, writing and learning can be fun too!
The LeapPad 3 is a fast, high performance children’s tablet pre loaded with 10 fun apps. You can buy game cartridges from most toy stores, and these include everything from maths games to books. We have a Jake and the Neverland Pirates maths game and a Little Mermaid game. The novelty of using a tablet to learn means the children are really up for the idea, and are actually soaking up heaps of information without even realising it. You can connect to the web using WiFi but the LeapSearch web function means kids can only access age appropriate content – so you don’t have to be looking over their shoulder every 5 minutes worrying about what they are watching.
As well as being intuitive to use and packed full of child friendly fun, the LeapPad 3 is drop tested and super tough, so you can relax a lot more than you can when the little monkeys steal your iPad!
The LeapReader is designed for children aged 4-8 years, and helps to encourage and teach reading and writing. You simply log on to the website, connect your LeapReader pen and download the books that you have ready to use. Your child can then touch the pen on the pages of the book to listen to the story, practice reading the words and play games. You can also use the LeapReader as a writing aid – use the pen to trace letters and numbers, before progressing onto trying them independently and attempting some words. The LeapReader will only work on the special LeapFrog paper, and so there is no worry about your little one writing on the table or on anything else they shouldn’t!
LeapFrog recently teamed up with iChild, the leading child development and education consumer website, to provide 200 teachers with the LeapReader. As a result, 86 per cent said they would recommend LeapReader to parents and 79 per cent would recommend LeapReader to fellow teachers.
Finally, the Read With Me Scout, aimed at children aged 2-5. Max is 22 months, so towards the lower age range, but he has enjoyed the toy immensely and has gained so much from it. Essentially, Scout is a loveable dog who comes with a set of 5 books. The books are numbered and colour coded, and relate to the buttons on his collar – if you press number 1 Scout will read book 1 out loud to your child. The stories are short to hold the attention of smaller children, and full of rhyme and repetition to help with reading comprehension and understanding. Scout also has a number of songs and phrases that make him fun to play with even when you are not reading.
Almost half of UK parents lack the confidence and know-how techniques to continue their child’s reading and literacy education at home productively, according to research by LeapFrog. In response, the brand has created a supportive guide to help parents teach and inspire a lifelong love of reading in their child. The ‘30 Ways in 30 Days‘ confidence boosting guide, by the multi award-winning educational toy brand, forms part of its 20th anniversary celebrations and offers parents playful solutions and tools to tackle reading with their child at home as part of their everyday family routine.
This looks great. I never had any leap frog products. Actually I think Matthew’s laptop might be from leap frog. You can connect it to your pc and customise it. He has it for 2 years now and I never got around to do it.
Janine recently posted…St. Patrick’s Day – Crafts
I love leap frog and the pad looks great! It’s looks perfect for my twins!
We love Leapfog! The monkeys have a fair few bits and they have all stood the test of time! Great review Kate!
Jo @sitstillmonkeys recently posted…Getting Our Easter Craft On – #BostikBloggers
Leapfrog are always coming up with new toys, this one looks good. I haven’t had any of the Leappad items before but this one looks good.
Stephanie recently posted…Project 365 – our 2015 in photos – Week 11
I have seen alot of good reviews for leapfrog products, i would definately consider them if we were looking to buying these kind of things x
My children have always loved Leapfrog products! All of these look fab but I particularly like Read With Me Scout – will have to keep an eye out for that one 🙂 #TriedandTestedTuesday
Kate recently posted…Depression
We love Leapfrog and have a few of their products.
They make learning fun.
Great review x
Jayne @ SMABL recently posted…August SE20 Mini Bluetooth Stereo System Review
My niece has a leapfrog laptop but the reader sounds brilliant – she needs a little help with her reading so this might be a great tool for her
Carrie-Time to be an Adult recently posted…Bake With Maria: When Less is most definitely More…
Leapfrog have some great products. I love the look of Scout 🙂
#triedandtested
Catherine recently posted…EGG by Jonathan Litton and Fhiona Galloway
As a primary school teacher its great for me to see parents providing educational toys at home. My nephews all have lots of leapfrog products which they enjoy using!
Tarryn recently posted: Which nappy makes me happy? Nappy review – part one Linking up with #TriedTested @Lollinski @FamilyFever http://wp.me/p5H4ER-19
Leapfrog are always coming up with fab ideas I love Scout! Max does sell it rather well.
Jo Bryan recently posted…Review Scoff Club Monthly Subscription
I don’t know why we have never invested in more of the Leap Frog products they all look great. We only have the tag reader pen which my two have both loved. I will seriously have to consider some more!
Mummy of Two recently posted…The Cuddle Box – A Review
That’s really interesting about iChild and the LeapPad. My daughter’s not quite ready for it yet but definitely one to keep in mind. She was already given Violet (same as Scout only purple…) for Christmas and while it drives me a bit mad, she adores reading the stories and pressing the buttons on her paws.
Cathy (MummyTravels) recently posted…The best family days out from English Heritage
I have heard great things about Leapfrog. We were going to get Buba one soon but wasn’t sure what to get and how great they would be. Thanks for a great review and hosting my lovely. #triedtested
Jenny recently posted…We are a Konfidence Swimologist family
We are huge fans of LeapFrog in this house, especially the leap pads, we have the younger leapreader but I’d love to try the version for older kids #triedtested
Chantelle Hazelden recently posted…Weekly Weigh In 17.03.2015
Oh wow, these looks great, I really love the look of the Read with me Scout, something to look out for when Boo get a little bit older.
Jenni – Odd Socks and Lollipops recently posted…Review – Little Bird Clothing
Love the sound of the LeapReader – my eldest would love this 🙂
Louise recently posted…Through the years
They all look like great ways to encourage children to learn and be inspired.
Let kids be kids recently posted…Let kids be kids linky 17/3/15
Love the read with me scout! It’s funny you should say a lot of parents lack confidence with teaching their children to read and write. It’s about the only thing I feel halfway confident about when it comes to my bean. She’s only three months but i love reading to her and pointing at the words. She’s fascinated!
Lucas says – I have a LeapFrog and I love spending time playing on it. Dad helps me write on it and I like taking photos on it and then labelling them. My cousin Grace aka Baby Ace has the Read with me Scout in pink and she loves it. I can confirm the drop-test as I accidentally dropped mine down the stairs and it was ok. #TriedTested
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