Leapfrog LeapPad Explorer Tablet - Top Toy Review

The new Leapfrog LeapPad Explorer Tablet is the hottest new educational toy for preschool and early-years school kids since the old See-n-Spells. Parents love it, kids love it, and it's made by a company with a well-earned reputation for quality early-years educational toys - Leapfrog.

Loaded with features like; touch-screen operation, digital camera and video recorder, and much more, this learning tablet is like a preschool toy version of the iPad, and the consumer reviews are rating it four stars or better.

This review also includes links to video demos, real customer reviews, and discount price links for the cheapest prices online, from the marketplaces you trust.

The new LeapPad Explorer Tablet is the next step in the development of preschool-age educational toys. It uses more of the computer and gaming systems technology capabilities that older kids take for granted, and puts them in a durable kid-safe, and kid-tested package that is a perfect fit for little hands. Even dirty, wet, smudgy little hands.

It is recommended for ages 6 - 9, which means it can even be fun and useful for school kids up to the 3rd grade. One reviewer, (a mom), even commented she would feel comfortable giving it to bright 2 and 3 year-olds.

Not only is it full of its own features and games, it is also compatible with Leapfrog's huge library of games for its other Explorer educational toys. So, besides enjoying the benefits of its online download capability, you can also use any of the other Explorer cartridge games.

Even though this toy is loaded with high-tech features, it is still designed to be rugged and durable enough to stand up to the kind of handling you would expect from preschool kids. No need for parents to "watch over" the kids to make sure they are gentle with it.

• 5-inch touchscreen that can be operated with either fingers, or the included stylus (they even include an extra stylus)
• Built-in tilt and motion sensors, (just like the Wii and other big-kid gaming systems), for interactive game play
• Digital camera and video recorder with storage for almost 30,000 photos, or 120 minutes of video
• Includes 4 preloaded apps: Pet Pad, Story Studio, Art Studio and one app you get to choose
• Includes USB cable and software for online access through a PC
• Its skill levels automatically adjust the challenge to match each child's progress
• As mentioned - it is compatible with Leapfrog's library of 100+ Explorer Cartridge games

"I bought this for our 3 year old granddaughter for her birthday. I was worried since it said ages 5 and up but after reading the reviews I am glad I got it. She loves her "iPot", as she calls it. She had used my iPad so much on a recent visit, I thought this would allow her to do many of the things on it she did on my iPad.

She spends hours on this and is learning as well as having fun. At her age, she still does not understand the instructions without a little help but she grasps the concepts quickly and she quickly masters the games and books. I highly recommend this for all ages over 3. It is tough and durable. Battery life is great. My only wish would be for a power adapter or a rechargable battery rather than AA batteries but the battery life is still good."

Granted, this is a very positive review, and there were many more like it, but there were also a few frustrated "Con's" review points. (you can see all reviews with the link below)

Review points summary:

Pro's

• Kid's loved it, and found the games fun and entertaining
• Leapfrog Connect and online access allow parents to keep up with their kid's learning progress - and download new games
• It can use rechargeable batteries - a big plus (see below)

Con's

• Packaging hard to get into(????) this was a complaint on several reviews
• Does not come with an AC adapter and uses up batteries very quickly - hence the recommendation to buy a separate adapter or use rechargeable batteries
• Apps can be expensive - approx. $7.50
• Loud, even on low volume setting - buy headphones if you don't want to listen to it on long car rides
• Some kids quickly got bored with the challenge level of the games

Overall, the positives far out-weighed the negatives, but as mentioned - the link below will include access to all customer reviews.

What's in the Box
LeapFrog LeapPad with stylus, four apps (Pet Pad, Story Studio, Art Studio, and one app of your choice), extra stylus with tether, USB cable, installation CD, quick-start guide, and instructions.

Remember: You will need to buy batteries - they are not included.

This Leapfrog educational toy is a recommended by by toy experts and consumers alike. The suggested retail price is $99.99, and most retail and online merchants is sticking to that price range, but it is always possible to find good deals with the right discount price shopping links.

You will find those shopping links, as well as a video demo of the Explorer Tablet, more tech. specs, and a link to more customer reviews at:

• Leapfrog LeapPad Explorer Tablet - Top Toy Review - Cheapest Discount Prices

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• Newhottoyschristmas.com

Don't forget, if you are considering this as a top educational electronic toy for your preschool kid, The Leapfrog LeapPad Explorer Tablet Extras you might need are; rechargeable batteries or AC adapter for longer game play, and a pair of headphones to give you a little peace while the kids enjoy their new toy. Their are other preschool-age educational toys on the top toys for Christmas 2011 lists this year, but the The Leapfrog LeapPad Explorer Tablet is a top choice for gift giving.