LeapFrog

Review: Dora the Explorer Camping Adventure for the LeapFrog Leapster2

rmgreg — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 22:30:24 -0400

Seriously, you can’t have kids and not be familiar with Dora the Explorer and her very faithful companion Boots. For those of you not in the know, Dora is a young Hispanic girl who goes on adventures with her best friend, Boots, who is a talking monkey who wears, well, red boots. Dora and Boots have been a big part of the Nick Jr. television line-up for the past few years teaching young kids how to problem-solve and develop an appreciation for the Spanish language, which means that it is an ideal title for LeapFrog’s Leapster Learning Game System.

Outdoor Fun

Today my 4-year-old son, Caleb, and I are taking a look at Dora the Explorer Camping Adventure for the Leapster2, LeapFrog’s new Learning Game System, which we review here. In Camping Adventure, Dora and Boots take kids on a hiking-exploring-rafting-singing adventure. Game play consists of 4 different ‘games’, which helps children learn animal, color, number, shape, and fruit recognition in both English and Spanish. The different games are:

Raft to the Rescue, in which all of Dora and Boots’ supplies have fallen into the river and it is up to the child to help Dora and Boots collect their lost items. As crates float towards Dora and Boots in their raft, the game tells the child which crate she should be looking for. Once spotted, the child helps Dora and Boots steer the raft towards the crate to pick it up. The Leapster2 then congratulates the child and then gives the Spanish word for the item found, repeating it a couple of times so that the child can say it as well. This is important because later on the Leapster2 tells the child to search for the item based on the Spanish word for it alone. Once the child has collected 4 of the same items, it is added to her Camping Journal. In this game, the child is required to recognize numbers, colors and shapes.

A Yummy Hike has Dora and Boots hiking to the swimming hole. Along the way, they decided to collect some yummy fruit. Game play involves Dora moving from left to right across the screen collecting fruit as suggested by the Leapster2. The game is very much like the old Atari 2600 game Pitfall, it even has logs to jump and mud pits to swing across. Once again the game teaches the child the Spanish word for the fruit found and after 4 of the same fruit are collected, it is added to the Camping Journal.

Animal Search has Dora and Boots looking for animals with a pair of binoculars. The child moves the binoculars around searching for the animal suggested by the Leapster2. Again, the child learns the Spanish name for the animal and once 4 of the same animals are spotted, they are moved to the Camping Journal.

Campsite Sing-a-long has Dora and Boots singing camp songs with the child in both English, featuring Boots, and Spanish, featuring Dora. The words of the songs appear at the bottom of the screen, encouraging the child to read as they sing along. Finally, the Fiesta Trio concludes each song with fanfare.

The Camping Adventure, like most Leapster games, is designed to advance in difficulty as the child advances in game play, so that the child is always being challenged. The game also takes advantage of the Leapster2’s ability to connect with a PC or Mac through a USB connection to allow the child to collect Rewards for game advancements. In fact, children can print out its own version of the Camping Journal. This game also uses LeapFrog’s Learning Path Program to keep the parents abreast of the child’s development through game play. Finally, you can play this game on any of the other Leapster Learning Game Systems, however you will need a Leapster2 to take full advantage of the extended features.

Dora the Explorer is known for reinforcing ideas and lessons learned by repeating them over, and over, and over again along with interacting with the child by talking directly to them and pausing to wait for the child’s response. LeapFrog has seen fit to include these traits of Dora in this game.

Overall Impression

Caleb is a big, big fan of Dora and Boots, along with her cousin Diego, so getting him to play this game wasn’t all that difficult. Dora’s Camping Adventure is suggested for children ages 4 to 7, however I’m going to say 4 to 5 years old may be the right mind-set. Simple play and repetitive aspects of the game may cause older children to get bored rather quickly, whereas young kids live to ‘peat and repeat.’ Therefore, Caleb has decided to give this game 10 out of 10 stars. As for me, I’m giving it 6 Dancing Elephants out of 8 for the 4 to 5 year old set, any child beyond that and you’re taking matters into your own hands.

Parting Thoughts

I took two years of Spanish in high school and remember muy poco (very little). Meanwhile Nik and Caleb watch a kids cartoon and que hablan Español (they speak Spanish) circles around me.

Review: Leapfrog Leapster2 Learning Game System

rmgreg — Sun, 31 Aug 2008 21:56:15 -0400

When Nikolai was around 3 years old, I began my fatherly duty of instilling in him a love for all things electronically gadgety, as any good father would, by convincing Tonya that he needed a Leapster from LeapFrog. At first Tonya balked at my suggestion that he needed such a device to stay ahead of the curve, by citing that there is nothing wrong with reading books and playing with blocks to advance his mind. But rather than backing down, I pressed the issue pointing out that reading and playing with blocks lacked the cool-electronic-gadget factor required by him and (mostly) me. Eventually, in what I assume was an attempt to shut me up, Tonya relented and Nik got the Leapster for Christmas.

Recently LeapFrog released the Leapster2, which I have sitting right here next to me. This one belongs to Caleb, who is helping me review it. Luckily for me, not a lot of time was wasted arguing with Tonya over the merits of yet another cool-electronic-gadget. She’s finally realized that there’s no point in crossing swords with the Y chromosome-linked cool-electronic-gadget gene… There just simply isn’t.

Leapster Evolution 101

To understand how the Leapster2 got to where it is today, it might help to go back and learn where it came from. The original Leapster, which I’m referring to as the Classic, was basically a Gameboy for the toddler set. It was built for rough and tumble treatment, with an up, down, right, left jog switch, A and B buttons, a 3.75 inch touch screen, and an attached stylus. The device used game cartridges whose titles featured popular childhood characters and which mixed in a healthy dose of education along with the entertainment. This made parents happy. Finally, game play on the device advanced as the child advanced, thus keeping the child continuingly challenged. About a year later, LeapFrog followed the Leapster Classic with the Leapster L-Max, which was basically the same as the Leapster Classic, but with an A/V output jack so a child could play the game on a television, therefore creating a dual screen system. I, err I mean Nik never got a chance to try the L-Max out… Anyway, this brings us to today and the Leapster2, which once again is basically the same unit except that it’s a touch smaller than the Classic; they shrunk the screen to 3 inches (160x160 pixels) and LeapFrog got rid of the A/V output jack in favor of a USB port and opened up a whole slew of new possibilities.

Now I should point out that there is a Leapster TV system, but since we’re talking about the handheld units, it won’t be part of the discussion.

With USB You Get Internet Interaction

With the past two Leapsters, as the child advanced through game play, he would receive Rewards which he could redeem by using a computer to log onto the LeapFrog website. Now with the aid of the USB port, a child, with their parent’s help, can connect their Leapster2 to a PC or Mac and open up a whole new world of play and interaction. They can upload pictures that they’ve drawn on their Leapster, they can access their Rewards, they can try new challenges and finally, LeapFrog saw fit to include a SD Card slot (SD Card not provided) to allow for the future downloading of games from LeapFrog online to the Leapster2. Gee, with the right software, the Leapster2 could give an early Palm PDA a run for its money.

Getting Parents Involved

LeapFrog has recently introduced the Learning Path Program, which takes advantage of the USB connection found in the Leapster2 and other LeapFrog devices with USB connections such as the Tag Reading System and Didj Custom Gaming System. Briefly, the Learning Path Program allows parents to:

Create Profiles for up to 10 kids and then view their progress at a glance.

View Play Information by connecting to a PC or Mac to view how often the kids play and where they are advancing and where they may need help to advance to the next level.

Review Skills Engaged and Progress Made to allow parents to compile a personalized array of learning experiences through games and activities for each child.

Connect With the Kids offer suggestions on how to hone the skills that they’ve learned such as letter, word, color, shape, or number recognition.

Finally, Get Expert Advice provides access to a network of educational experts for shared learning tips and advice.

All of this stems from LeapFrog’s philosophy that “Learning is not one-size-fits-all.” Unfortunately, I’ve only had a few weeks to play with it, so I really can’t give an opinion on this free service.

The Long and the Short of It

The Leapster2 is designed with a kid in mind. Though I, as an adult, may find the screen to be archaic when compared to my iPhone, Caleb doesn’t seem to mind. Like a good mother, Tonya put the headphone jack through its paces and found that the louder sound levels didn’t concern her as they did when we reviewed the Tag. Kudos to LeapFrog for not damaging young, sensitive ears. The Leapster2 comes in two color schemes, one for boys and one for girls. Caleb received the pink and purple one, but fortunately for us, he (and we) doesn’t allow things like that to bother him. And finally, LeapFrog is smart enough to realize that it behooves them to make all of the game cartridges designed for the different Leapster Systems compatible with all of the Leapster devices.

Overall Impression

Caleb was used to Nik’s Leapster Classic, so he adjusted well to this one and found it to be very similar. Unfortunately he’s a little too young to fully grasp the USB connection features. That said, he still thinks it deserves 10 out of 10 stars for its ease of use and fun capabilities. As for me, other than the upgrade to the USB connection and SD Card slot, it still feels like the same thing when compared to the Leapster Classic. I would have loved to see some improvements in the screen besides shrinking it by 0.75 inches. At 160x160 pixels, its lack of definition makes it look washed out. Still, the kid seems to like it, so I’m giving it 6 Dancing Elephants out of 8 with room for improvement.

Parting Thoughts

Seriously, I compared this along side my old Handspring Prism PDA and if LeapFrog were to install Calendar and Contacts software, Caleb would have a very stylish, kid friendly PDA.

LeapFrog's Leapster2 and Didj available today for sale

Dale — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 16:52:38 -0400

LeapFrog's Leapster2 and Didj handheld educational gaming systems go on sale today but are not yet ready to ship. We have discussed them in past episodes, and you can expect a full review of both systems, as well as the Tag, in the near future right here at techtalkforfamilies.com. We also plan to review games for these systems as they come available as well.

If you'd like to order one and get at the top of the list, click below to get one from Amazon.

LeapFrog quietly slips out a Crammer Preview

Dale — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 19:36:34 -0400

This year will mark an exciting year for fans of LeapFrog and their products. We've already mentioned the Leapster2, didj, and Tag systems, but all of these focus on younger children, age 8 and under. Besides the Fly Fusion, what else has LeapFrog done to "age up the brand" as they've intended?

The Fly Pentop Computer marked their first entry into the older market, followed by its successor, the Fly Fusion. (Employees at LeapFrog often use Fly Fusion Pens in meetings to take notes, so they definitely have value for those beyond middle school.) But what have they done for older kids lately?

Enter the Crammer. In Fall 2008, LeapFrog will release this homework/music/gaming device targeting age 8-14 years, already on display on their site. Integrated with the LeapFrog Learning Path, the Crammer is essentially a flashcard-based studying device, but students can use the included USB cord to easily transfer vocabulary words or other material to the device. LeapFrog will also make available a series of cartridges with study games based on leading textbooks.

The device also includes an mp3 player, heightening its appeal to tweens, but this may have an unintended side effect, since many schools do not allow devices with mp3 player capabilities, thus leaving students unable to use it during study halls.

We'll have a full review of the Crammer when released this fall.

Toy Fair 2008: LeapFrog Introduces New Web-Connected Gaming Handhelds

Dale — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 23:03:50 -0500

Setting the New Standard in Educational Gaming, Leapster2 and Didj(TM) Provide Parents with Exclusive Access to Kids' Educational Progress

EMERYVILLE, Calif., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc., a leading developer of technology-based learning products, today announced two new web-connected video game systems that are tied to the proprietary LeapFrog(R) Learning Path. The Leapster2 Learning Game System, the latest handheld in the popular Leapster(R) family, expands the gameplay online with fun activities and rewards that encourage continued play while allowing parents to see what their child is learning and share in their accomplishments. The online capabilities in the all-new Didj Custom Gaming System connect gameplay with schoolwork, allowing grade-schoolers to customize the game with spelling lists, math problems and more.

"LeapFrog is the leader in educational handheld gaming and now with Leapster2 and Didj, we are offering parents and kids even more choice and capability," said Christian Cocks, vice president of gaming at LeapFrog. "Kids want to play video games, and as parents we want them to get the most from that experience. Our new Leapster2 and Didj handhelds are products that parents can feel good about and that kids can have a terrific time playing."

The Bestselling Educational Gaming Handheld Just Got Better

Four years ago LeapFrog broke ground with the original Leapster handheld, and since then nearly 5 million Leapster family hardware units and over 14 million software titles have sold in the United States. In addition to creating age-appropriate educational games, LeapFrog was the first to recognize that four- to eight-year-olds are still developing fine motor skills. Ergonomically designed to accommodate smaller hands, a bigger D-pad and larger buttons as well as an attached stylus made the Leapster handheld kid-friendly, as did offering relevant learning games that can be played with only a stylus.

The Leapster2 system offers a sleek new form for enjoying new games such as the exclusive educational game license for Star Wars: The Clone Wars or the summer 2008 Disney/Pixar blockbuster WALL E. As with the original Leapster system, the Leapster2 handheld auto-levels, adjusting games to children's particular skills and progress, so players are appropriately challenged. The Leapster2 handheld's new online connectivity allows parents a window into their child's accomplishments, while kids earn rewards to encourage continued playing and learning.

Taking Customized Learning to a New Level

When kids are ready to graduate from the Leapster system, the Didj handheld is the smart option to extend the learning. The first totally customizable educational gaming platform, the Didj system lets kids personalize the look and feel of the games, from designing their avatars to choosing background scenery, color schemes and music.

Beyond making visual customizations, parents and kids can customize the learning content on the Didj handheld, connecting gameplay with schoolwork. For example, a custom spelling list can be created from the 10,000-word database, giving kids the ability to practice for next week's test while playing the classic Sonic the Hedgehog. The Didj system supports what kids are learning in school and lets them practice skills in a fun way-through gaming.

Built for discerning six- to ten-year-olds, the Didj system offers high resolution graphics presented on a 3.2 inch LCD screen featuring 16.7 million color TFT on a 320x240 display. Perceptive players also will appreciate the processing speed (ARM 9 @ 393 MHz), which is comparable to that of other handhelds on the market today. In addition to processing game logic, the combined 32 bit ARM and 256MB Flash memories ensure high-quality, real-time audio decompression and playback.

Learning is Not One-Size-Fits-All

Also launching this summer is LeapFrog's proprietary Learning Path, a free online tool at leapfrog.com that interfaces with LeapFrog products to show parents what their child is learning and how their activities or games map back to the Scope and Sequence of educational skills that LeapFrog has always built into every product.

Based on an award-winning LeapFrog School product used by teachers across the United States to individualize assessment and instruction, each time parents connect their Leapster2 or Didj system, they can see how education comes to life for their child -- the games their child has been playing, the skills they have been practicing and the progress they have been making.

This information populates each child's personalized LeapFrog Learning Path profile, empowering parents with insights into what excites their children, and letting them know where their kids may be struggling and in need of extra attention.

AVAILABILITY

The Didj system will be available in the summer of 2008 with an MSRP of $89.99. The Didj system software library offers nine learning games during launch year, with an MSRP of $29.99 each. The Leapster2 handheld will be available in the summer of 2008 with an MSRP of $69.99. Five new Leapster system games will be available at the launch of the Leapster2 platform, with refreshed versions of 10 of the most popular legacy titles available; all are optimized for the Leapster2 handheld's LeapFrog Learning Path connectivity. The entire 33-title Leapster library is compatible with the full Leapster family of Learning Game Systems. All Leapster titles MSRP at $24.99.

Toy Fair 2008: LeapFrog Re-Invents the Learn-To-Read Category With the Tag(TM) Reading System

Dale — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:39:46 -0500

DEMO 08 CONFERENCE, PALM DESERT, CA-JANUARY 28, 2008-Tag Reading System from LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. Pictured is Tag reader plus included book "Ozzie and Mack." (PRNewsFoto/LeapFrog)

PALM DESERT, CA UNITED STATES
Next-Generation Reading System Fits in the Palm of a Child's Hand and
Interacts with Real Books

PALM DESERT, Calif., Jan. 28 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- DEMO 08
CONFERENCE -- LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc., (http://www.leapfrog.com) a
leading developer of technology-based learning products, today announced it
will unveil its next-generation reading system at the exclusive DEMO 08
conference in Palm Desert, California, on January 29, 2008. Available this
summer, the Tag Reading System (http://www.leapfrog.com/tag) is the first
handheld learn-to-read technology that interacts directly with real books.
Audio for the stories, as well as the fun-filled games and activities
spread throughout the pages, is delivered through an innovative Web-based
application called LeapFrog(R) Connect, offering children an entirely new
and captivating reading experience. Consumers can get an early peek at the
Tag reader's (http://www.leapfrog.com/tag) innovative technology at
http://www.leapfrog.com/tag.

"LeapFrog's Tag Reading System was hand-selected from hundreds of
emerging products to debut at DEMO 08 because it is a promising new
technology that encourages and supports young children as they learn to
read," said Chris Shipley, executive producer, DEMO 08. "Its intuitive
design and cutting-edge innovation literally bring books to life. It really
is the next-generation reading system for a new generation of readers."

LeapFrog first revolutionized the electronic learning category with the
introduction of its award-winning LeapPad(R) Learning System. With over 30
million LeapPad units and 72 million interactive books sold worldwide,
LeapFrog became synonymous with learning to read for parents, teachers and
children. The Company is reinventing the learn-to-read category with the
Tag reader, which combines a state-of-the-art optical positioning system
and next-generation, high-quality audio software, with LeapFrog School's
proven reading methodology used in classrooms nationwide.

"We couldn't be more excited to unveil the Tag Reading System --
LeapFrog's successor to the LeapPad Learning System," said Craig
Hendrickson, vice president of reading at LeapFrog. "The Tag Reading System
brings together leading-edge technology, an intuitive product interface and
the most engaging content to create a truly amazing, magical reading
experience that has the power to instill a lifelong love of reading."

Reading Between the Lines

The Tag handheld works with Tag-enabled books to create an independent
and interactive reading experience for children. By simply touching the
highly responsive Tag reader anywhere on any page of a Tag book, children
can bring their favorite stories to life, easily skipping from page to page
or book to book.

The pocket-sized Tag platform "reads" by using a small, sophisticated
infrared camera that works as an imaging system to recognize letters, words
and symbols printed on the page. Using the PC- and Mac-compatible LeapFrog
Connect Application, parents can download audio for each book in the Tag
library, then manage content the way they manage MP3 or digital camera
files. With 16 MB of on-board flash memory, the Tag reader can hold up to
five books at a time.

All-New Proprietary LeapFrog Learning Path Lets Parents See the
Learning

Launching in tandem with the Tag Reading System is LeapFrog's
proprietary Learning Path, a free online tool at leapfrog.com that
interfaces with LeapFrog products to show parents what their child is
learning and how their activities or games map back to the Scope and
Sequence of educational skills that the Company has always built into every
product. New online connectivity also allows children to access fun online
rewards for off-line play and learning.

"Our Scope and Sequence has been the bedrock of our success for many
years," said Dr. Jim Gray, director of learning for LeapFrog. "It's our
secret sauce, and it's the first time we are making it available to parents
so that they can see what their child is learning."

Based on an award-winning LeapFrog School product used by teachers
across the U.S. to assess and instruct students in classrooms nationwide,
the LeapFrog Learning Path allows parents to connect the Tag handheld to
their computer to view details about the books their child has read,
including the skills explored and progress made.

Beloved Classics and Favorite Characters Come to Life

The Tag Reading System will launch with an 18-volume library of
children's classic books, activity books and activity cards. For the Tag
library, LeapFrog has partnered with publishers HarperCollins, Penguin,
Simon & Schuster, Scholastic and others to showcase beloved characters such
as Fancy Nancy, Walter the Farting Dog, Olivia and Miss Spider.

AVAILABILITY

SUMMER 2008; AGES 4-8; Tag Reading System MSRP: $49.99; Tag Books and
Activity Boards MSRP: $13.99 each

Kid classics
Chicka Chicka Boom Boom
Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type
Fancy Nancy at the Museum
The Little Engine That Could
Olivia
Walter the Farting Dog Goes on a Cruise

Activity storybooks
Disney/Pixar's Cars: Tractor Tipping
Disney Princess: Adventures Under the Sea
Foster's Home for Imaginary Friends: The Golden Paddleball
Go Diego Go!: Underwater Mystery
I Spy: Imagine That!
Kung Fu Panda: Po's Tasty Training
Miss Spider's Tea Party
Pirates! The Treasure of Turtle Island
SpongeBob SquarePants: The Tour de Bikini Bottom
T. Rex's Mighty Roar

Activity boards
Tag Funny Phrases
Tag Super Speller

Activity cards (MSRP: $7.99 EACH)
National Geographic Birds and Sea Animals
National Geographic Land Animals

Review: Leapfrog WordLaunch

Dale — Sat, 15 Dec 2007 17:06:02 -0500

Joystick, paddle, trackball, thumbpad, keyboard, mouse, Wiimote, letter tiles? Leapfrog's WordLaunch offers a hands-on approach to reading and spelling with its "sound-it, build-it, learn-to-read-it system"?

The WordLaunch is a TV Plug-and-Play device with a few buttons, 4 tile slots, and 32 letter tiles. Children (Recommended for Age 4+) play a series of games by placing letter tiles into the slots to form 3 and 4-letter words. Like the magic of the LeapPad, the system can tell which tile you placed into each slot and will help you find the right letter if you have trouble.

Based on a carnival theme, the setting takes three different approaches to word building in two modes, "Games" and "Explore." Games are more directed, while Explore allows children to experiment with words and sounds. In the tea cups, you create 4-letter words by matching the letters to form the word on the screen. Then, it changes one or more letters to form another word, like vest to west to rust. All the while, the letters are smiling, making noises, and dancing. Bumper Cars are similar with three letters instead. The Magic Silent "E" Show is like the Tea Cups with words that have a silent e. By playing in Games mode (including bonus games), kids earn points and gold tokens that can be spent at the Build-a-Coaster by adding parts to a roller coaster and watching it run.

The hands-on quality of this game gives visual, auditory, and tactile feedback for an immersive experience, and the short "levels" cater to the short attention span of most preschoolers. There's always something new right around the corner with lots of positive reinforcement. The "explore" setting allows for creativity to find new words, and when the child discovers a new word, the system congratulates you. It doesn't have every 3 and 4-letter word in the dictionary, but it has a fairly large selection.

Sadly, the game system offers no AC Adapter, and while this makes it easy to set up, the option would've been nice to avoid battery consumption. That said, it's light on batteries, and even though it has a physical switch to turn it on and off, it will shut itself off after a period of inactivity.

Our biggest problem with this game is the multitude of pieces. With 32 letter tiles to keep track of, parents will need to meticulously guard them to see that none of them get lost, not always easy with a small child, and if one or more letters get lost, the entire device is useless. The storage tray only holds one of each letter of the alphabet, so that leaves 6 extra tiles. The box holds everything easily enough, but an improved storage solution would be helpful or even necessary. Get a duffle bag or something to hold the letters. I called Leapfrog support, and unlike the Fridge Phonics, replacement tiles are not available, so don't lose any. If your child tends to lose pieces from games, this system may not be for you, or should only be used with supervision.

Review: Leapfrog's Brightlings Exploration Station

Teresa — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 21:40:07 -0500

When my kids were little - babies and toddlers - they loved anything that played music and had lights. When our oldest was 3 months old, we would be able to get ready to go somewhere while she sat in her bouncer chair by the Christmas tree watching the lights with music playing in the background.

The Brightlings Exploration Station comes with 3 Bitty Brights play pals, and has 3 modes of play: baby, toddler, and music. It consists of Bobblers, Tumble Tunnel, Babbling Bandshell, Rainbow Balcony and Alphabet Alley. It offers two volume settings, not just on and off. Neither one is obnoxiously loud, like some toys. Also, since most kids forget - and some just can't do it - it has an automatic shut-off feature to save your batteries. That is always a plus for me. The Bitty Brights play pals are round balls with smiling faces. They have textured bottoms. One has circles and a wavy line seperating the top from the bottom. One has triangles with a zig-zag line, and one has squares with a straight line and squares all the way around it.

When a play pal is dropped into the Tumble Tunnel in music mode, musical chimes will play. In baby mode, it will play a scale while singing do, re, mi, etc. In toddler mode, it will count the balls dropped from 1-10. It also teaches a few manners. After one is dropped and counted it says, "Thank you" and "More, please".

In music mode, when the slider is moved on Alphabet Alley, it plays the alphabet song without the words. In baby mode, it sings the letters. In toddler mode it does the same thing, but says, "Let's sing" beforehand.

Baby mode at the Greetings Gate, teaches opposites: hello/goodbye, open/close, and peekaboo/where'd you go? Toddlers hear the words â€œhelloâ€and "goodbye" in five languages. Music mode plays the music that goes along with the greetings.

In music mode at the Babbling Bandshell, pushing or pulling on the characters will make them sing a rhythm along with the song. In baby mode, the characters sing "la, la, etc" and other sounds to the tune of "Mary had a Little Lamb". In toddler mode, it is the same thing, but it rotates between 3 different songs. As a parent, I'd like to have more songs available, but familiarity and repetition are important for small children.

In music mode at the Rainbow Balcony, when you pull on the green ring attatched to the rainbow ribbon, it spins the disc that the play pals can sit on, although it doesn't spin very well when they're on it. Spinning it without one on it is fun though, too. Three ribbon tags are also connected to the Rainbow Balcony (red, yellow, and blue). Pulling them plays three different types of music. In baby mode, when you pull the green ring it plays music and sings a song. When you pull the ribbons it plays a short part of the song from the music mode, but also says what color the ribbon is. In toddler mode, when you pull the green ring it sings part of a song. The next pull will sing the second half of it. It also plays the same music and song as the baby mode does. Pulling the ribbons will result in the same music. Besides just the color names, toddler mode also says two items (alternating) that are the color of the ribbon that was pulled.

I don't have any children the age that this is recommended for, but my older kids like to play with it. :-) In fact, I have a hard time tearing my youngest two away from it. I hope to have a chance to watch my youngest nephew play with it, since he is in that age range, and see what he does. If I get a chance to do that, I'll post an update in the comments. I wish there would have been something like this when all my kids were younger.

Enter the LeapFrog Learning Moments Contest and you could win $25,000 for your child's college tuition.

Teresa — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 01:13:20 -0500

Show the world how smart your kids are! From November 15th, 2007 through January 15th, 2008, LeapFrog is having a Learning Moments Contest with 3 ways to win.

Grand Prize: Upload a picture or video of your child in a learning moment. You could win $25,000 towards your child's college tuition plus $500 of LeapFrog products! Ask your friends and family to vote, because the entry with the most votes wins. No purchase is necessary.

Weekly prizes: A LeapFrog product will also be awarded to randomly chosen entries from the previous week.

Instant gifts: Everyone that uploads a photo or video or votes will receive $5 off purchases of $20 or more from LeapFrog.

You can find more information at www.leapfrog.com/learningmoments.

LeapFrog: Aging up the Brand

Dale — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 00:16:52 -0400

When you hear "LeapFrog," what do you think of? The LeapPad? Leapster? Chances are, you're thinking about products for kids about age 8 and under. While LeapFrog specializes in this age range, they have a few tricks up their webbed sleeve that target more than just the tadpoles.

It's not easy being green

If you've seen the Fly Pen, or, more recently, the Fly Fusion Pentop Computer, you may not even realize that it was manufactured by LeapFrog. The iPodesque color scheme of both the box and product look more like something you'd find in the electronics aisle than in the toy aisle, and that's just how LeapFrog would like it. In fact, if you look at the Fly Fusion box, not only will you not see any green at all, but you'll only find the LeapFrog logo on the back bottom corner of the box. It's easy to pass over.

The Fly is LeapFrog, but is LeapFrog "Fly"?

Trying to market a LeapFrog product to the iPod generation marks a significant challenge for LeapFrog's marketing and branding departments. On the one hand, LeapFrog is a trusted name among parents, but tweens will see anything with the LeapFrog logo as more "Dora the Explorer" than "Hannah Montana." And given that the Fly line is educational at heart, that makes it so much tougher to hook the target demographic.

Maybe Santa can reel them in

Certain tweens will have the Fly landing on their Christmas wishlists (Mine wanted it last year already.), but those will likely be the kids who need it the least. "A" students will see it as a way to make homework more fun, if not easier. If those less interested in academics get one as a gift, they'll likely have fun with it--it has some great music software and other games--even if they don't fully utilize the educational value.

With tweens, the cool factor will make or break the success of a gadget, and given that many of them can type faster on a 12-button phone keypad than they can write with a pen, this may be the blending of two technologies too far apart from each other. Still, marketing is everything, and between viral marketing campaigns, a Harry Potter Marauders' Map, and MTV-style ads, a cool and unique product may just get the buzz it needs.