Advantages: it encourages reading and writing
Disadvantages: none

...this Leap Frog Leap Frog Leap Pad Plus Writing is aimed at 4-6 year olds The LeapPad Plus Writing Learning System uses a larger platform and pencil designed to introduce children to the magic of writing as well as the magic of books and reading. And the library is organized by grade to teach writing, reading, phonics, vocabulary, math, science, music and much more There is the world of reading and the world of writing. And when the two worlds collide, what you get is pretty amazing - the LeapPad Plus Writing Learning System t starts with the Magic Pen. One minute little readers use it to touch the page and words and letters are sounded out aloud. Make a quick switch and it is in writing mode and kids write letters and words at their own pace. The writing pages are all erasable so they can be used over and over again. The games... Read review

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Advantages: bright colorful pages, stories and games cover full range of curriculum, robust construction
Disadvantages: need to keep stock of batteries, need to buy yet more books and cartridges

...however, and the books are often on BOGOF, so worth keeping an eye out for. ~~~So just what is this toy?~~~ Leap Pad is an educational toy aimed at helping children to read, and to use their reading skills to "leap" into other areas of learning and discovery. The books are split into levels. The first level for the Leap Pad is aimed at children 4-8, and focuses on phonics and reading practice. It has books that teach the phonetic sounds using engaging characters and child friendly storylines. These books are supported by readers featuring favourite characters such as Nemo and the Lion King.. Level 2 books are more advanced, with characters such as Scooby Doo providing stories that have longer words. There are also books for doing musical activities and to learn geography, about dinosaurs and so on. How the toy works is that Mom or Dad... Read review

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Advantages: Portable, can play with it by themselves!
Disadvantages: Batteries don't last long enough!

...My little girl, now nearly 5 years old, wanted to learn to read from a very early age, and we bought her this for her 3rd birthday. It said it was for older children, but I thought she'd get a lot of out it, and also I could sit with her while we used it. So we bought it from Leap Frog's site (at the time, cheaper than anywhere else). We bought the pink version (Barbie pink girl I'm afraid!), along with the pink/lilac carry case and a couple of books to get her started. She LOVED it! With help, she soon managed to suss out how it worked. She now works it better than I do! To summarise, the Leap Pad itself (£30) is the outer plastic part, hinged in the middle, opens like a large book. It comes with a pointer/pen attacked to the Leap Pad by a wire (Younger children may try to chew the pen - had to stop her doing this a few times... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: Easily portable, Lots of different books available, FUN learning toy
Disadvantages: none that spring to mind.

... My First Leap pad Basically it's an interactive educational toy aimed at pre-school children aged 3-5. We started with the Leap-pad-Little-touch when the Boy was smaller and moved onto this one when he was 3. The My First Leap Pad Learning System itself is mainly blue with a few other colours here and there, like the 'magic pen', speaker, and on off button. It's quite a compact unit with a handy carry handle to one side, it's lightweight and easy to transport so a good toy for traveling in car or taking to Granny's house and the like. How much ? We bought ours for just over £25 online, are available from many stores Argos, Toys 'r' Us etc and not hard to find but I would recommend shopping around online for the best deals. It comes with a book and cartridge to get you started - we got "Leap's Big Day... Read review

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