Mobile Learning (and Playing) with Leapster Explorer

LeapFrog’s newest product on the mobile learning market is the Leapster Explorer. After much speculation about the Explorer and wondering what in the world the mobile learning device would do, we now have one in our little hands to check out for ourselves.

What Does the Explorer Do?

With more than 40 learning and play experiences available for Leapster Explorer by year-end, the answer is “Practically everything!” From traditional cartridges to downloadable content like e-Books, videos, flash cards and game apps, Leapster Explorer offers every kid endless ways to play.

Leapster Details

• 

  Recommended for children ages 4 to 9

• Biggest (3.2″), brightest, full-color screen with finger-touch interactivity, comes with attached stylus
• Ability to run Flash, video and 3-D graphics
• Learning app downloads like e-Books, videos and games

Playing on the Explorer

The Explorer takes traditional cartridges and we’ve played with Disney Princesses: Pop-Up Story Adventures. There are mini games and adventures and it’s all a bit over my son’s head, to be honest. He has a hard time with the games and this is where the suggested age range comes into play. He’ll be 4 in several months, but he has a harder time with the games on this handheld than he does on others and the stylus has taken him awhile to master.

One of my son’s favorite games on the Explorer actually comes “on-board,” or pre-installed. I’m guessing the Pet Pad App is a child’s version of Farmville on Facebook (I don’t Farmville, so I’m guessing!) The App allows the child to feed, bathe and entertain a little friend and even take the friend to LeapWorld when connected to the internet. My son loves to make bubbles on his cat so he spends the credit he earns playing games buying shampoo in LeapWorld. We have also downloaded a Diego e-Book that he enjoys flipping the pages to hear the story unfold.

The Leapster is actually responsive to a child’s ability and tailors games to skill level. When you start the Explorer you create a register your child’s name along with their grade level. Each game is then better suited for your child’s skill. For example, one game asks my son to trace letters to help with writing skills and letter recognition but a first grader playing the same game would get a different, more appropriate task. The Explorer will also recognize if a child is struggling and change tasks mid-game to be easier. As the mom of a child who is easily frustrated, I really appreciate that. I’m all for my son being challenged but he gets discouraged quickly if he’s having a hard time.

To Buy or Not to Buy

To Buy… Truth be told, we’ve really only scratched the surface of what the Explorer is capable of – there are so many games and apps and, for older children, the connection to LeapWorld is pretty neat. I do think it’s a great mobile learning device with lots of up-to-the minute technology. The ability to add to the fun with the purchase of an affordable apps rather than a traditional $20 cartridges is a big plus.

Or Not to Buy… At 3.5 my son had a hard time getting used to the Explorer, particularly the stylus. It all seemed a bit over his head, which makes sense since it’s recommended for 4 to 9 year olds. Although, even I’ve had trouble with the Explorer being unresponsive to the stylus which is annoying.

Shop! LeapFrog’s Leapster Explorer is $69.99 and available directly from LeapFrog and on Amazon. Use promo code BACK2SCHOOL and save 20% through August 16 at www.LeapFrog.com.

Disclosure: Thank you to LeapFrog for providing a sample product to facilitate this review.