LeapFrog Zippity High-Energy Learning System

by LeapFrog

Product Features

• Gets preschoolers dancing, jumping, playing and learning with Disney characters they love
• Durable mat and bopper interact wirelessly with the TV console,
• Eight built-in activities, each with two levels of play, feature characters from Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
• Additional Zippity software (sold separately) features more Disney characters kids love as well as new preschool skills to expand the learning
• A built-in Learning Path lets parents see the skills their child is exploring as they play
• Kids of ages 3 to 5 can move freely as they put their whole bodies into the learning action
• My Friends Tigger and Pooh, Little Einsteins and Handy Manny
• Parents can create a personal LeapFrog Learning Path online for more in-depth insights and learning ideas

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 23 x 15.5 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B001U5LFV2
• Item model number: 10250
• Manufacturer recommended age: 36 months - 5 years
• Batteries: 8 C batteries required.
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #21,987 in Toys & Games (See Top 100 in Toys & Games)
• Average Customer Review: 3.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (50 customer reviews)

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

Rainy days and indoor playtime don't have to be boring: with the Leap Frog Zippity, preschoolers can get on their feet and get moving, all while playing interactive, educational video games that feature favorite Disney characters. The Zippity is designed for children ages three to five.

Zippity Learning System Ages: 3 to 5 years Requires: 8 "C" batteries Phillips screwdriver for battery installation Television with standard video/audio input

What We Think Fun factor: Durability: Ease of assembly: Educational factor: Novelty factor: The Good: Video game features calibrating levels that customize to preschoolers' ability The Challenging: Younger preschoolers may find games challenging but will grow into them In a Nutshell: Video game system gets preschoolers jumping and dancing while making learning fun

Featuring Disney characters like Mickey Mouse, this interactive video game system plugs directly into your TV. View larger.

With 8 different games, the Zippity encourages kids to be active and helps develop skills like coordination and memory.View larger.

Giant Joy Stick Get Kids Moving
Designed to get kids moving and learning, the Zippity is an educational video game system that preschool-age children play by stepping, dancing, and jumping, and moving their arms. The system consists of a main unit, which the child uses to control the onscreen game, and a console that plugs into any television with a standard video/audio input. Both the main unit and the console require four "C" batteries each, as well as a Phillips screwdriver to install them.

The main unit, which requires minimal assembly, is essentially an oversized joy stick--so instead of sitting sedately with a game controller in hand, kids play the Zippity game with their whole body and get plenty of gross motor coordination practice. It consists of a large activity mat with different colored sections, and the "bopper," which is a joystick-like pole that requires big arm movements for moving backward, forward, and side to side.

Play and Learn
The Zippity's eight games feature favorite Disney characters in quality, three-dimensional animation. All are designed to introduce preschool-age kids to a wide range of learning skills--not least of which is practicing listening and following directions. The game system starts out with Mickey Mouse teaching your child (and you!) the basics of how to use the controller, and each game is introduced with either a narrator or a character giving instructions.

Listening, memory skills, and coordination skills are also developed in several games, such as "Darby's Honey Pot Jam," "Goofy's Fancy Dancing," and "June's Twist n'Twirl." These games ask the child to do certain "moves" in a short sequence to create a dance, for example, to step on the green section of the mat or to push the bopper in a certain direction.

The Zippity introduces plenty of other learning skills through the eight fun games, including color recognition, letter and number recognition, and even introduction to classical composers and world cultures. In games featuring Handy Manny, kids get a little introduction to Spanish vocabulary; and in "Super Sleuths on the Case," kids put their problem solving skills to use by helping Winnie the Pooh collect clues to answer questions.

The "Learning Path" in the system's onscreen main menu provides a bit more information about the learning skills the Zippity introduces to your child. Leap Frog also has a more robust online Learning Path Web site, which is touted as a complement to all of its products, including the Zippity. We found, however, that the Learning Path Web site is better suited to use with Leap Frog's other Internet-connectable toys and doesn't augment the Zippity experience in a substantial way.

Different Learning Levels Customize to Child's Ability
Each game features two levels of difficulty, and at each level the game calibrates itself to the child's level of advancement, so the games can grow with your child. We found that our three-year-old toy tester is just old enough to start using this toy. She required an adult to reinforce the directions given by the game--more practice would make the process easier, and older children would also be able to catch on more quickly.

Be warned: although the picture on the box shows a child energetically leaping on the interactive mat, the pace of the games is much slower, especially at Level 1. But the slower pace and the level of challenge doesn't make them any less enjoyable. Although our toy tester found the games challenging, she had a lot of fun trying-- and she would only get better with practice. And once the included games are mastered, other game cartridges are available for separate purchase.

What's in the Box
Zippity main unit with "bopper" and interactive mat; console with attached AV cable

Product Description

Leapfrog Enterprises Zippity 10250 Learning Toy 10250 Kids Games

See all Product Description

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

103 of 104 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Do Not Waste Your Money, November 27, 2009

By 

Pete Cley (Baldwin, NY) - See all my reviews

= Durability:3.0 out of 5 stars  = Fun:1.0 out of 5 stars  = Educational:1.0 out of 5 stars 

This review is from: LeapFrog Zippity High-Energy Learning System (Toy)

I have a 3 year old boy and I am constantly researching the next best toy. I am not a fan of video games but I thought something educational would be nice and fun for him. I looked at the Leap Frog website and watched the video on the Zippity even before it came out. The videos and the overall write up looked great so I we got it for him for his 3rd Birthday. We got it at Bjs so it did not cost that much, I think it was $65 plus the Cars game was $24. The games that came with the unit were dull and boring. He lost interest after one use. Cars was okay but again, not the most captivating concepts and the graphics were fair at best. When others children come over, they all want to try and they too are bored with this product. We have another child on the way and maybe he would like it when he is younger. My 3 year old is unimpressed, just as my wife and I, are unimpressed with this product. I am actually a fan of Leap Frog and their products but this one, to me, is a waste of money. Maybe they will come out with other games that are better but for now, I think the Wii is a better option. I am a huge fan of consumer reviews and read many before making decisions. I hope this helps others. Good luck with the toy buying process.

53 of 56 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Unimpressed, August 3, 2009

By 

LVB "Myguys mom" (Arlington VA) - See all my reviews

= 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 Zippity High-Energy Learning System (Toy)

I bought this toy for my 3 year old because he is too young and not coordinated enough for the older games. HE enjoys playing with it but I am afraid it will get boring for him. The activities are extremly simple and don't seem to grow as the child's abilities grow. I also found that the level of interaction was low that he was not really in charge of making things happen. For example the characcters play instruments even if he just stands there and watches, likewise he can just stand and watch the car he selects win the race in the cars game. No cause and effect. I am hoping that the associated games will be more variety and challenges for higher developmental levels.

47 of 50 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars My 3 yr old daughter loves to get active and learn...., July 27, 2009

By 

Daddy B Me (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 Zippity High-Energy Learning System (Toy)

I got this for my daughter since she was too young for our wii. It is great to see something available for preschoolers that is designed for this age group. She has learned her colors, increased her coordination, and is getting better at decision making. She also loves playing with the "big bopper" while driving the spaceship on Little Einstiens and jumping on the matt. The learning and games are just the right speed for her growing mind (and body). Really great graphics and stereo sound..cool.