LeapPad Ultimate; the ultimate kid proof, safe, tablet for children
The LeapPad Ultimate is a fantastic tablet for young children. It offers a kids tablet that is tough, durable and safe for kids, that also educates them as they play.
As soon as we received it, Master J couldn’t wait to test it. From a parental point of view, the setup of this learning tablet is easy and will only require parental help for 5-10 minutes.
As a parent I like that I can create numerous profiles for my children and tailor each profile to offer them an educational experience set at their age level. Children these days are so computer aware that as soon as I handed it to Master J (4 years) and gave a little guidance… we had taken a selfie and changed our profile picture and background. The LeapPad comes pre-loaded with apps and features like a camera, calculator and a few games like Pet Pad Party, Stretchy Monkey as well as Music; so that you can start playing straight away.
Today’s children take like ‘a duck on water’ to technology, so Master J started playing straight away, exploring all the games, videos and taking photos.
I believe he has found the LeapPad Ultimate easy to navigate as he has never asked for help; instead submerging himself into the games and videos happily.
While Master J loves his LeapPad and is generally careful with it; he is a four-year-old boy and has dropped it a number of times.
I love that the LeapPad Ultimate comes with a built-in bumper and shatter-safe screen which have protected it (and my sanity) to date. The LeapPad Ultimate lives up to its kid-proof rating and is a tough tablet that will not break easily.
I like how your child inadvertently learns as they play. Throughout the games, the LeapPad provides interesting facts that don’t inhibit game play. “You found Papyrus. Ancient Egyptians wrote on Papyrus before paper was invented” The game will also stop play from time to time as you reach certain milestones to ask educational questions relevant to that game; for example, in the game above Master J had to pick out which items on the table wouldn’t belong in Ancient Egypt. In the Monkey Racing game, you answer maths questions to gain power ups.
Built with a fast, powerful quad-core processor, the graphics on the LeapPad are great when watching videos and playing games. There are pre-loaded music videos including ones with much loved characters like Frozen and Paw Patrol. LeapSearch is the LeapPad equivalent of online searching. It doesn’t give you the option to look up anything and everything, however it does have interesting ‘how to’ facts, links to websites like Discovery Kids where you can search it and other stories.
All of the apps and games on the LeapPad are designed and/or approved by LeapFrog Educators to ensure they are suitable for children.
The LeapPad apps included and available for purchase feature core skills in mathematics, reading and science as well as music, puzzles, logic and creativity. I decided to purchase a Hot Wheels game for Master J which he and his two older siblings loved. They spent hours building their own tracks and then racing around them. The biggest downside with the LeapPad software is that purchasing additional games is at a much steeper price than children’s games on tablets. The games however will challenge and educate them and do not include adverts or irrelevant content. Once purchased the game gets added to your LeapFrog Account and therefore can also be used on any other LeapPads you have which is good when you have more than one child.
Overall, I am very happy with the LeapPad Ultimate. It offers a children’s tablet that really is tough, safe and durable. I have peace of mind when my son plays on it, knowing he cannot inadvertently access inappropriate content and although I don’t like my children playing on tablets often, at least with the LeapPad Ultimate I know that he is gaining educational value as he plays and not just enjoying mindless games.
Other Features:
The LeapPad Ultimate can be used Online or Offline.
It is rechargeable via USB so no batteries!
It features Just for Me™ learning technology, which personalises select games, remembers curricular progress and automatically adjusts learning levels for each profile.
Suitable from 3-9 year old’s
RRP: $199.95
LeapPad Ultimate is available now from Big W, Toys R Us and independent toy retailers.
Reviewed by Lorraine Salvi, Busy Mum of three.
