QUICK LOOK

• Appropriate for kids ages 4-9 (although my 2-year-old enjoyed it!)
• Touch screen with a stylus provided
• No built-in Wi-Fi or 3G, you will need a PC or Mac connection
• Camera, video recorder and microphone
• 2GB memory
• Operates on four AA batteries

My 8-year-old daughter Marang is forever trying to borrow my work PC so she could play on it. Kids born into today’s tech era are naturally inclined to use technology and so the LeapPad Explorer was an instant hit in bridging the gap between her using my full-blown laptop, and her interests in playing and learning through tech.

The LeapPad Explorer is an immediate hit as soon as you open it. The fact that it looks like a mini-iPad that the kids can freely play on with without you telling them to be careful makes it even more of a hit. Marang loved the fact that it is so obviously built for kids with its green, eye-catching colour and natural, simplified and interactive screen and voice prompts.

t was really fascinating to me that she needed absolutely no guidance or help from me to turn it on and start interacting with it. I do, however, wonder whether this is because she has been exposed to the BlackBerry Torch and iPads before, or if all children her age would have the same experience

The LeapPad comes with plenty built-in programmes. There are Art and Animation studios for children to create their masterpieces and this was an instant hit in my household and this is something we were able to do together as a family.

The Photo Studio lets them edit pictures taken with the built-in camera and the LeapPad’s Story Studio can be used to create an interactive book which the kids loved – Marang could also include her little brother as part of the book!

You can set up to three users on each LeapPad, and customise profiles by adding your child’s name and photo which technically means it can be shared by multiple siblings… although in my experience this was not easy to do simply because your child will want it all to herself.

As a mom, I really appreciated the educational apps that are geared to assist with subjects like maths, language, music and (for me) some of the apps like “My Pet” which teach children about responsibility, making the LeapPad really great and worth the purchase.

Overall, this is a great introductory device for children. It enables them to get into technology in a way that is designed for them. Because it is adjustable to the level and age of the child using it, the LeapPad will continue to challenge them over time so they don’t easily get bored with it. Imagine if your child is still around 4- or 5-years old, this will easily last them another 3 years which makes it worth the cost of the device, especially when you consider everything they can do with it.

My daughter (who is 8) still enjoyed it and I imagine this could last for at least another year…

What’s really great is that the LeapPad and Leapster Explorer game cartridges and apps are cross compatible, so if your child has another Leapster device, you can still use those games. This will save you money as each game cartridge can go for about R250. (But like all other gaming consoles, you can get your children to save up pocket money for extra games, or give them as gifts for special occasions.)

The LeapPad is quite rugged which means that should your child have those little accidents that they are likely to have, it will withstand quite a bit of abuse (unlike your shiny and expensive iPad).

For me, I must say that the great thing with having a LeapPad over the holidays is that it was perfect for those long trips. It definitely kept my kids occupied with all the different activities on offer and reduced that “are we there yet?” annoyance…

Turn ons

• Built for children
• It's both fun and education
• Lots of different activities that get boring and you can downloaded more
• Some of the activities are family-orientated

Turn offs

• The sound can get really annoying. 
• It would be better if you could recharge the device with a USB cable and not use batteries
• It's really a team device. If you have 2 kids (like me), you may need to invest in 2 LeapPads!

Price: R1200.00