Leapfrog,Leappad thingys

[scotty]

HI, I have got my daughters 3rd birthday coming up and rather than buy her some old rubbish that she will be interested in for 5 minutes I had thought about a Leapfrog Leapad thingy. I know nothng about these and don't know anyone who has one. We already play a lot of kiddie computer games with her so I am a bit concerned she may already be a bit past this type of thing. It apeals to me because its portable and she can do it unassisted as she is terribly independant now.
Any advice would be fab thanx a lot.
Scottys wife

[superswally]

My daughter has one of these and I wouldnt really recommend one sorry. The books are a lot more than normal books, although Asda sell them cheaper than anyone else. They also eat batteries. In my opinion normal books are just as good and if she plays on your computer any of the leapfrog stuff wont be as good. My daughter used to like the cbeebies site. Thats just my opinion mind if I chucked it out my daughter would no doubt decide that it was the best thing since sliced bread and I am the worst Mum in Scotland.

[scotty]

Thanx very much I wont waste my money then. I suppose its not going to be as interactive as a computer game.
I appreciate your advice.

[curiosity]

Yeah I've just gave a colleague my 6 year old daughters one with 4 books & cartridges hardly ever used, as you say if she's on the PC this won't entertain her, also she much preferred her real books to look at. Also I bought her an LMax this year thinking she would love it, but it has been played with about 3 times on my initiation. Also eats batteries. She prefers the older ones playstation or internet sites for her age.

[pickle]

I've just bought my newly 3 year old a v tech winnie the pooh laptop. He loves it and has played on it every day so far. (only a week since he's had it.) I looked at the books too but didn't like the thought of having to buy more overpriced books to use on it. After all he's only 3.
It has 11 preset games. Some are easy, press a letter and it will tell you how to say it. Musical songs. Some more difficult that he won't get to grips with for a while, spelling, subtracting. I'm very pleased with it. And of course he can play it anywhere so no need for me to turn the computer on etc.
I'll just add that he plays simple games on the computer by himself, Bob the Builder, Reader Rabbit, but I have to help when it comes to navigating the CBeebies website.

[adh]

My son loves his leap-pad - he is four - has had it for two years now and still plays with it lots as we buy him new books for it every so often. If he wakes up early, he plays with it in bed rather than rushing in to wake us up - fantastic! Personally i think they are great value for money - there aren't many toys that kids will use for years on end and they are not expensive to buy. I buy the books at TK Maxx and they are less than a fiver, which I think is great value - a new book is also a great thing to stick on their xmas pressie lists for grandparents etc. If you're still not sure, buy one of E bay where there are usually lots being bought and sold. If your daughter doesn't get much out of it, just sell it back again. Can't understand the previous comments on batteries - they take ordinary AAs which are very cheap and we change them probably 3 times a year (max). For a toy that gets such good use, I dont consider this a problem.