Handheld Games

We had the Leapster LMAX and my children LOVED them! Even at 9 and 6 they will still play when we travel. Well, at least as long as the mom and dad charge the batteries! LOL

My son got a Leapster when he was 4 and didn't play with it much. He was bored with the games because they were too easy. My oldest daughter just turned 4 and has been playing with the Leapster for the past 8-9 months. She only plays with it on long car trips - at home and on short outings she ignores it. She's just not a video game type person.

My son LOVES the Didj (also from Leapster). Since your daughter is already 4, I wouldn't get her a Leapster, I'd spend the money on a Didj since she'll be able to play with it for a long time. It has games for 'kindergarten' (which are really more like pre-k level -- stuff kids know before kindergarten) but also has games for older elementary kids.

One thing about all those educational games... read the specifics on what they reinforce/teach because the grade levels they use are really off. My son easily plays with 3rd-4th grade level games because they covered that stuff by 1st grade!

My daughter is 6, and she has a v-smile. She loves it. She has had it for 2 years, and it seems that she is more into it now, than ever. My 2 year old steals it from her when he gets a chance, so he will probably get one of his own soon.
They also have the V motion which uses the same games & more, but it is a base unit that is plugged into the tv.

Good luck with your decision.

We have the Vsmile and my kids love it. The oldest has moved on to the DS, but my just turned 4 year old loves his Vsmile. There are several games to choose from and range from ages 3-8, I think.

Nintendo DS. Lots of kids games, many educational. Also, lots of grown-up games too so you can share!! My 4 year old son loves it. We got it for a long plane ride.

At least she won't grow out of this like the other systems.

Have fun,
L.

v-smile is an awesome hand held game for kids. they have mnay games that go with the ages. my in-laws bought my son one when he was 2 and he is now 6 and still plays on it

I bought my son the V-Tech hand held when he was about that age, lots of different games, and they are categorized by ages for difficulty. He still plays some of the games now and he is six. Also, it is adjustable for either right or left handed kids and nearly indestructable.

My kids adored their Leapsters. Mine didn't play them every day so the games didn't get old very fast. We'd get them a new one before we travelled.

My daughter turned 3 in May and I wanted to get her something of her own, as she loves to play with my DS. The DS is a good system, however its expensive and very easy to break/scratch. After doing a lot of research, and asking other moms on here, we went with the Leapster 2. She absolutely loves it!! She only has 3 games, and they are not super easy for her. They are also the basics, tho. I saw games up the 4th grade. The other good thing about it, is that it is really "scratch proof" and the pen is attached to the system on a string. It could be a good hand-me-down for your 2 yr old as well, when she does outgrow it. Good luck!

My 5 year old loves his leapster. Games are a bit pricey. You can find them on sale sometimes. Lots of games are available. I am amazed at all that he can learn from the games.

We have the Leapster 2. We have 7 games and I know that there are more. It is educational, yet lots of fun. My 2 1/2 year old daught even loves it. Even though she really can't play the games yet.

My daughter got a Leapster when she was 4 and played it non-stop. There are lots of games out there and many are learning games. We loved it. She is 9 now and got a Nintendo DS last year. We still buy here educational games for that system and some fun games of course as well. They work well for long trips or sitting at her sister and brothers games. Good luck.

I don't think gameboy is at all educational but I know my daughter loved this for long car rides when she was around five. From age 3 to the early years starting school, we loved the LeapPad system which is very educational. The Leapster came out later and is indeed smaller. We put the games on her "wish list" for birthdays and Christmases since they are pretty pricey. These are widely available at any toy section in most dept. stores. The leapPad Franklin games are really cute and have a story involved there are many themes that all children can enjoy. I do agree with the idea that this should not be instead of active physical outside play. They can get lost in these devices and need to have a time limit. However, it does help with boredom on long or vacation car rides.

Get her a leap frog or something like that. Today kids sit around and play games too much. What they really need is to be outside in the fresh air and sunshine and be getting exercise.Electronic games make children to idel.The time they spend on them should be limited as well as television watching and computer time. Our country is thriving with obese children and diabetes and like disease.Kids need to run and play and explore the great out doors. A jungle gym / swing set would do her more good in the long run. Sorry you probably don't like my answer but I volunteer at a grade school and there are just too many young children sitting and playing games that might or might not teach them something.At that age I would have recieved a ball and bat, a bicycle, a jump rope, jacks, a few books and maybe a new baby doll and maybe a board game that every one in the family could play with me.
Debbie

My son loves his leapster - he got it for his 3rd bday, and played it until recently (neighbors all had the DS, so he got hooked on that, and we just got him that for his 6th bday). I think the games are great, and you will probably get at least a good 2 years out of it before your daughter gets bored. There are often ones listed on craigslist and ebay for really cheap, if you would consider a used one.