LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet (Green)

by LeapFrog

Product Features

• Introducing LeapPad Explorer, the personalized learning tablet just for kids!
• 100+ games, apps, digital books, videos and flash cards (sold separately, works with all Leapster Explorer games and apps)
• Includes a built-in camera and video recorder, 5" touch screen and 4 apps (Pet Pad, Story Studio, Art Studio and one of your choice)
• 2GB of memory, enabling it to host a robust suite of apps including: ultra eBooks, Story Studio, Art, Animation and Photo studios
• A broad curriculum, with skill levels that automatically adjust to match each child's pace and remember progress

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 1 x 5.1 x 7 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 3 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B004Z7H07K
• Item model number: 32200
• Our recommended age: 4 - 9 years
• Manufacturer recommended age: 4 - 8 years
• Batteries: 4 AA batteries required.
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #45 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
  • #3 in Toys & Games > Learning & Education > Electronics
  • #3 in Toys & Games > Preschool > Pre-Kindergarten Toys > Electronic > Electronic Learning Toys & Systems
  • #3 in Toys & Games > Electronics for Kids > Educational Computers & Accessories
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (374 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com Hands-On Review

Help your child create and learn with the LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer. The learning tablet gives you access to more than 100 educational books, games, videos, and apps. Subjects like mathematics, reading, and science are covered in a fun and interactive way. The LeapPad's built-in camera can shoot video, allowing kids to make animation and art to share with family and friends.

LeapPad Explorer At a Glance: Age: 4 to 9 years Requirements: 4 AA batteries (not included)    Warranty: 1-year limited Library of 100+ games and apps Works with all Leapster Explorer game cartridges, eBooks, videos and more

System Specifications Screen 5 inches, 480x272 pixel resolution Camera 640 x 480 resolution capability Video Recorder 320x240 resolution capability Input Controls D-pad, touch screen, embedded microphone, camera, motion sensor Connectors Cartridge slot, AC adapter, audio jack, USB connector Battery Duration Approx. 8+ hours On-board Memory 2 GB

Sturdy design, easy to create videos and personalized stories. View larger.

Kid-Friendly, Interactive Design
Though sleek and thin, the LeapPad can withstand kids' roughhousing and dirty fingers. Designed to be flipped, shaken, and turned by little hands, the LeapPad comes with a tilt sensor for game control that puts kids in the middle of the action. A 5-inch color touch screen makes it easy for kids of all ages to learn and interact.

Built-In Camera Encourages Creativity
Prepare to be amazed by the wacky and touching videos, photos, and artwork that your child will produce using the LeapPad. Voice-guided instructions make it easy for children to edit and share their creations with friends and family. And with 2 GB of built-in memory, the LeapPad has plenty of space to store your budding director's creations.

The built-in camera allows kids to become the stars of their own stories. The Story Studio and Art Studio apps allow children to modify pictures they take and drop them into storybooks. Both apps are free and can be downloaded once you register the device.

Leveled Reading Experience
LeapPad's Ultra eBook are interactive, cinematic experiences designed to guide children through books and immerse them in the joy of reading. Each book is actually three books in one, with different levels and modes optimized to support reading development. As a child builds his/her reading skills, the levels adjust automatically and are remembered from book to book.

The Ultra eBook innovative activities build comprehension skills and expand vocabulary with support features that allow your child to touch a word to see its image, touch an image to see the word highlighted in text, touch words to hear them sounded out, or find definitions in the visual dictionary. All of this with characters that children will love, brought to life through animation that keeps children engaged as they learn.

Each Ultra eBook features: 3 levels of text 3 modes where children can listen to the story, read along with the story, or read and explore activities on their own 6 comprehension activities leveraging the tablet's accelerometer and 3 fun games Ability to record and play back personal story narration

Discover a World of Learning
With more than 100 learning games, videos, books, and apps available for LeapPad, it's easy to keep your child entertained on long car trips or at your favorite restaurant. LeapPad has a game cartridge slot for backwards compatibility with the entire existing Leapster Explorer Library, the curriculum covers spelling, phonics skills, mathematics, science, music, geography, and more.

The LeapPad also automatically adjusts learning so that kids can learn at their own pace while staying engaged. They can even practice writing with the included child-sized stylus.

Track Your Child's Progress
The LeapPad's online tool, the Learning Path, allows you to tune into your child's progress and track achievements. You can choose to receive regular e-mail updates on your child's accomplishments, which provide insight into where your child may need additional support and give you new ideas for even more learning fun.

Registration Allows for Maximum Capability
Parents will want to register the LeapPad so that they can download the three free apps and access the online tools. The online tool allows you to track your child's play and learning progress and share your child's photos and creations. Plan to spend about 20 minutes registering, downloading the apps, and helping your child set up a user profile.

What's in the Box
LeapFrog LeapPad with stylus, four apps (Pet Pad, Story Studio, Art Studio, and one app of your choice), extra stylus with tether, USB cable, installation CD, quick-start guide, and instructions.

Library with 100+ Learning Games and Apps

Product Description

Introducing LeapPad Explorer, the personalized learning tablet just for kids. A built-in camera/video recorder, 100+ games and activities and innovative creativity and reading apps offer limitless learning and endless ways to play.

Features include:

•A broad curriculum that goes beyond school skills
•A built-in camera and video recorder
•Skill levels that automatically adjust to each child?s pace
•100+ games and activities (works with all Leapster Explorer games and apps)
•Appropriate for children ages 4 to 9 years

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1,011 of 1,057 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My Son Won't Put it Down, August 19, 2011

By 

the Mom Buzz "Erin T." (Tampa Bay, FL) - See all my reviews

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

This review is from: LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet (Green) (Toy)

Hi! I am Erin T. and I run a website called theMomBuzz. Recently I received a LeapPad from LeapFrog to review and I am sharing my thoughts here on Amazon.

The LeapPad has a great 5" screen. It is large and bright. I didn't see a way to control the brightness. The screen is larger than the Leapster Explorer Screen, which measures 3.2". The resolution for the LeapPad is 480 x 272. (The Leapster Explorer was 420 x 420.) It is a touch screen. You can use your finger or the supplied stylus. The stylus is magnetic, but it can be harnessed to the device with a supplied cord. An extra stylus is supplied in case one gets broken or lost. That has happened 3 times to us with other Leapsters - so it is great having that extra on hand.

The LeapPad device is white with green accents. There is also a violet option, which is nice for the girls. On the front of the tablet there is a power button, sound down and sound up button, and home button. There is also a large silver button that can be used like a finger control, to move a cursor up, down, left, right or explore other options.

The LeapPad comes with a camera, video recorder and microphone. The camera can take 30,000 pictures and the LeapPad can record 120 minutes of video.

GAMES & ACTIVITIES:

The LeapPad is similar to the Leapster Explorer in what kids can do with it. They can read e-books, play learning games, enhance art and animation skills, listen to and play music, learn writing, watch videos, and do flash cards. It also has a built-in camera and video recorder, while that requires an additional accessory for the Leapster Explorer.

One thing I LOVE about the LeapPad is that it works with other Leapster Explorer Games and Apps! That means if I download an app for my son's Leapster Explorer, I can also upload it onto my other son's LeapPad. And the boys can also share cartridges. And with the LeapPad came a HUGE library of game cartridges and apps to choose from. Most games and apps are extra, though, not included with a LeapPad purchase.

What game(s) do come with your LeapPad purchase?

1. PetPad: Learn to draw letters while teaching a custom pet tricks. Keep your pet healthy and clean with feeding and washing. The Leapster Explorer also comes with PetPad, but with the LeapPad kids can use the microphone to "blow dry" their pet, they shake the device to help their pet JUMP over a pond to pop balloons and they can even tilt the device to move the pet as it follows them onto their home page. You need to connect the LeapPad to your computer to use collected points to purchase food and accessories for the pet. Don't worry - it won't die if you don't do it. But it encourages you as a parent to connect the game to the computer so you can track your child's learning progress.

2. Story Studio: All About Me: The artwork, photos, writing and recordings kids create all culminate in the Story Studio experience. In the Story Studio, kids create their own book that can be uploaded to view in LeapFrog Connect or shared with friends via Facebook or e-mail.

3. Art Studio: I am SO THRILLED that Art Studio was included with the LeapPad. The Leapster Explorer didn't have an included Art Program - so my boys were using the Art Studio from Mr. Pencil or Tangled to get creative. The Leapster 2 DID come with an Art Studio, so I was a little sad when I found out the Leapster Explorer didn't. And whenever a parent asked me what game to get for their new Leapster Explorer, I always said, "Mr. Pencil saves Doodleburg," because it was educational and creative. But with the included Art Studio, it gives me more options for what games we can get next. With the Art Studio the boys use stamps, shapes, pattern brushes, pencils, erasers (all virtual) to create pictures and express their creativity.

4. Camera/ Video Recorder: The LeapPad has a built-in camera and video recorder. My son used it immediately to take a picture of me. And then I used it to take a picture of HIM for his profile. That's when I realized that the camera is low-res. He loves taking photos and videos, but he can tell the difference of quality. But it is good for the purpose and helps keep the cost of the product lower than if it was a higher-res camera. With the camera kids can take pictures and videos and then add fun effects.

Additional games, books and videos have to be added either as an app or with a cartridge. Remember, there is a library of over 100 choices. Additional apps and games are separate reviews on theMomBuzz. Please refer to the bottom of the post to connect you to these other reviews.

WHO TO BUY THIS FOR:

The LeapPad is designed for children 4 to 9. I would actually feel comfortable giving this to an advanced, tech savvy 2 year old. (Parents and grandparents will know who I am talking about! So many toddlers can use a smart phone better than an adult. This is a much better alternative to giving a toddler your precious iPad.)

WHY BUY IT?

Why do I suggest the LeapPad for kids 2 - 6? Well, my sons have owned a Leapster since they were 2 and I feel that the educational games have helped them with their writing, science and match skills. It's a creative outlet. And it's a great way to disguise learning as fun. I know some parents purchase the Nintendo DSis and other handhelds, but we've gotten away without needing to purchase one yet - even though their cousins own those handhelds. My kids have been happy with their Leapsters and the new LeapPad as their handheld and entertainment of choice. And I prefer it to, knowing the games were designed with learning in mind.

Plus, the Leapster Explorer and the LeapPad are great that you can keep challenging them with new apps, they are cross-compatible to take each other's games and the LeapPad remembers your child's progress from game-to-game and book-to-book.

Finally, maybe you are trying to decide between the Leapster Explorer and the LeapPad. Both are EXCELLENT devices. I :heart: them both. But with the LeapPad you are getting the camera/video recorder built in, it has a microphone, it has a larger screen and kids will experience a new way of reading with Ultra eBooks, an interactive cinematic reading experience. (I'll post more about that this week when I review the Cars2 Ultra eBook.)

MORE THAN ONE PLAYER:

The LeapPad does allow for more than one person to sign-on to the game. Only one person can play at a time. But... if my oldest is in school and my youngest wants to play, I can sign-in under his name. So then the LeapPad will know that the younger brother is playing and will adjust the settings to make the games challenging enough for his level of learning.

And I have to say, when I first turned this on (after my 5-year old had been playing for a few hours) I saw that he created a profile for ME. How sweet is that? He had my name, my picture and chose a nice pink background for me. :heart:

RECHARGEABLE BATTERIES:

I am also really excited that this is the first LeapFrog device I own that accepts rechargeable batteries. Previously all the devices stated that peak performance wouldn't occur with those batteries. But that has changed now! And trust me, your kids will be running down the batteries in the beginning as they won't want to go anywhere without the LeapPad.

WHAT IT COMES WITH:

When you purchase the LeapPad, it comes with a CD to get LeapFrog Connect on your computer, a USB cord and an extra stylus.

WHAT YOU MAY WANT TO BUY:

* LeapPad Case to keep it protected when not in use
* LeapPad Gel Skin to protect it when being used
* Headphones so you don't have to listen to the games when traveling or in an office

All accessories can be found at LeapFrog.com.

888 of 937 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Kids like it, but educational value is not as good as it should be., September 10, 2011

By 

Eric Slay (Orange County, CA) - See all my reviews
(TOP 1000 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

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

This review is from: LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet (Green) (Toy)

(What's this?)

I really want to like the LeapPad - my kids do, but unfortunately it just misses the mark. I am a second-grade teacher, so hopefully that will lend some credibility to my review in terms of its educational merits.

Here's my breakdown:

Pros:

It seems well built (read: it's not broken yet)

It keeps the kids entertained (but lots of things do)

The books are great, and when a child comes to a word they can't read, they can just click it to have it read to them. (Of course, the books are expensive, small, and locked to this device that will certainly be gone/broken/obsolete in couple years)

The videos are great (and expensive, but more reasonable when compared to educational DVD's). They teach phonics and number sense and are educationally sound.

Cons:

The downloadable games and apps are expensive and don't offer a good value for the price. For example, my daughter downloaded the $7.50 Train game and she beat it in about 20 minutes. When compared to almost anything else (iPad, physical books, educational DVD's, a jump rope, etc) this is just not enough bang for your buck.

The system is incredible slow. The kids don't seem to mind, but I sure notice it.

The system burns through batteries like crazy. It takes 4 AA's and I have had to replace them every few days. This wouldn't be a big deal, except that I don't really let the kids use it all that much.

The Leappad has a built-in virtual pet that you can earn and buy things for. I've never been a fan of having children take care of virtual pets (i.e. watering it, washing it, etc.) And this brings me to another point: unless you are watching closely, there are too many choices your child can make that have no learning involved at all. Ironically, if you are paying such close attention, you should probably just be doing something together with your child as opposed to watching them play this electronic device.

And finally:

The reason that most parents would buy this is for it's games educational value. Unfortunately I just don't see too much of it here. For example, there is a math dice game where the kids roll three dice and try to make the biggest number they can with it. This is a classic game that we use in the classroom. In the classroom game, the child is supposed to place each dice in the 1's, 10's, and 100's places in order to create the biggest number (while learning place value). In the Leappad version, there isn't even a mention of the place value (which is the whole point of the game). Instead the child just rolls the dice, places them from biggest to smallest AND THEN the computer turns that into a number i.e. 662 without explaining what's happening and the game continues. This may not sound like a big deal, but it is in essence teaching the child that 6 + 6 + 2 = 662, which of course is not true (and it reinforces a common mistake that children make).

Another example:

On the Alphabet Stew game, children are supposed to find words on a grid (Boggle-style). There is a list of words (i.e. 'can') that the kids must find, but strangely when the child taps the three letters on the grid to spell the word, it doesn't even say the word out loud. So they spell the word, but don't learn what word they're spelling. It's things like this that make me question who they hired to make these aps.

In conclusion:
I wouldn't recommend this product as a learning device unless you plan on only purchasing the books and videos. That being said, you could get books and videos without this device. BUT, If you want something to keep your kids busy in small intervals, this might do the trick.

147 of 156 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars GREAT for my 3yrs old and SAFE!, October 28, 2011

By 

Dawn "ChevyGirl" (California) - See all my reviews

= 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 LeapPad Explorer Learning Tablet (Green) (Toy)

I read a lot of reviews on this toy before I bought it. I read all the good , bad and in-between.. Since the majority is great we bought it for our 3 yrs old daughter. Verdict- SHE LOVES IT. She loves my husbands Ipod touch yet we don't like that it has access to the web. Which is why I say this is SAFE! Our daughter can get educational information and I don't have to worry about her pressing a button that can lead to something that she doesn't need to see. I don't understand the negative reviews. Yes set up is slow but what do you expect for a hundred dollar computer that has 2mb? I think a lot of people are use to an ipad and you simply can't compare the two. Yes you can get a refurbished ipad for cheap but you have to make sure your TODDLER and young child does not go somewhere inappropriate; and let's face it they can easily break an ipad. This has fallen down a couple stairs and survived! I wouldn't try that on the ipod; ever! The apps are no more expensive than most other educational games out there. Yes angry birds is cheaper and so are others like it but when I wanted to get a Disney app for the ipod it cost 6 bucks. It was not educational and nothing in value compared to the tangled game we bought. Another bad review is set up; I agree with the long wait but it wasn't unbearable. If you don't have 1-3 hours then re-think this toy or maybe your busy life because those little 3 hours don't matter or measure up to the fun my daughter and many other kids have with this toy. The other problem people report is faulty device when it comes to set up. Honestly seems more human error than toy. Many that couldn't get it to work report later they did something like restart the computer and it worked fine. Out of the hundreds of reviews I read I think I only found 5 true faulty ones. For me, the set up was very easy just a little long but at the same time it takes a couple hours for my ipod to charge its battery so I don't see the big deal about a couple hours for an actual set up for this leap pad. You can buy an adapter to keep the toy going because you will run out of battery life a lot. I found just like the much other reviews that rechargeable batteries are the best (make sure to have charged back ups). Get a protector for the screen because it can scratch like any other tablet. I don't think it's overpriced nor do I think the games are seeing as how they last a lot longer and have more things to do than the apps on itunes. I think there is a lot of high expectations from some when in reality it is a durable, child's toy that is safe and educational and for a hundred dollars it's a great deal. My friend's little boy has the vtech and it's doesn't even compare. If you truly got a faulty one Amazon takes it back. That's their guarantee. The game comes with a couple apps that satisfies children for awhile. My daughter didn't even touch the tangled game we bought until about a week later. She can't put this leap pad down and I truly think it's a wonderful toy. The camera isn't the greatest but 1) we didn't buy it for that and 2) I didn't think a tablet that is like an ipad for kids and toddlers would have the quality picture of a camera that is worth more than the tablet alone. I'm more realistic I guess. I'm not trying to be harsh but I strongly support buying this for young kids and toddlers because it's safe, durable, fun, easy concept and I think a decent price for all you get. I found a decent amount of games, yes there could be more but it's still new and I think the choices will grow soon.