LeapFrog Phonics Writing Desk

by LeapFrog

Product Features

• Learning tool to help children learn to write letters.
• Great fun. Leapfrog and phonics products great tools

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 2.8 x 14 x 14.7 inches ; 2.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00000JJ7S
• California residents: Click here for Proposition 65 warning.
• Item model number: 38000
• Our recommended age: 36 months - 7 years
• Manufacturer recommended age: 3 years and up
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #77,489 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (117 customer reviews)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Editorial Review

This electronic writing desk teaches kids the alphabet, letter sounds, letter formation, spelling, and word creation in a fun, interactive format. Kids can choose from six games: letters, a letters quiz, phonics, a phonics quiz, spelling, and "create-a-word." In the letters game, children push a letter to hear its name and see how it is formed on the LCD screen; players can also write their own letters on the "magic" writing screen. In the spelling game, children learn to spell simple words. In the phonics game, children first hear a letter and then are given a short word as an example. Along the way, the always-helpful LeapFrog "coach" offers lots of cheerful hints so children won't get stuck in any of the exercises. Additional features include an automatic shut-off, an oversize pullout handle, a variety of comical sounds for incorrect answers, and a two-position volume control. --Tami Horiuchi

Product Description

Learn to write your ABCs on an electronic lap-sized desk. Featuring six innovative games that make learning interactive and fun for your child, the Phonics Writing desk helps kids practice their writing, phonics and spelling skills, including how to spell

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

240 of 241 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great for learning the alphabet & no pieces to lose!, July 29, 2000

By 

Jane James "homeschoolmum" (California) - See all my reviews

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: LeapFrog Phonics Writing Desk (Toy)

My 3 year old was having trouble remembering the "ABC song" until she got this toy for Christmas. After playing with it for a few weeks, she could sing her ABC's. Her little brother now knows all the letters of the alphabet by sight, and I think this toy helped him with that.

The letters are very bright, the toy is really pretty and the plastic is nice and shiny. The letters are affixed, so there aren't any pieces to lose. Attached to it is a sort of a pen (not sharp, the point is rather rounded) which is used to write the letter on the little writing pad (it's magnetic - no ink!) There is also a little display where the computer directs the child as he or she writes the letter -- it will say, "A" then the letter "A" is written in the display, so the child can see HOW to write it. You can choose upper or lower case.

There are several levels here - just touch a letter and the voice says it's name and writes it for you. Or the voice says the letter, and you have to find it and push it. The voice is very pleasant, as well.

We are very happy with this toy, but the writing pad has become difficult to use, but honestly, we have 6 kids here and no toys last forever. We had this one about 6 months before the writing pad got messed up, and it has been played with a great deal.

All in all, I think it's a wonderful product. The only thing I would complain about is that it doesn't do letter SOUNDS at all - only letter names, hence the 4 stars for educational value.

83 of 83 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars a FUN FILLED phonics and alphabet toy, November 8, 2001

By 

S. Gillespie (Newport News VA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

= Durability:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:5.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:5.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: LeapFrog Phonics Writing Desk (Toy)

We bought this toy 3 Christmas's ago, for Joseph our 2 1/2 year old (He is now 5 1/2). He had personally asked for the Phonics Writing Desk and he has played with it for hours on end. I think it was an assest in his ability to read before going to Kindergarten. He now has renewed interested in it since his 3 year old brother Benjamin is constantly playing with it. Ben especailly loves it that he can write his name BEN with it and then it actually says his name. He has learned to write about 30 three letter words in the past two weeks. Some of his favorites include; Mom, Dad, jet, jam, eye, ear, hid, and bed. Ben has learned how to write a lot of his letters from watching the toy. The place to write on has been ruined for quite a while - but he tries it on paper after watching the machine show how to form each letter.

From a mother of 5 boys

80 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Fun but turns off too quickly, August 12, 2000

By 

Angela Harding (Portland, OR USA) - See all my reviews

= Durability:4.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:4.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: LeapFrog Phonics Writing Desk (Toy)

This toy was an enjoyable gift for my daughter who is currently engrossed in learning to write her letters and spell anyhow and likes toys with buttons in general. My only complaints are that the toy often turns itself off before she has a chance to complete writing her word-it does not really provide enough time for a beginning writer to complete this task. Also it talks to her non-stop while she is working on it which she finds annoying.