I’ve been having an internal conversation with myself (not to be confused with external conversations with myself, the ones that get me kicked out of Target) about whether or not to invest in a tablet for my kids. We have one for my husband which the kids love to steal and use to look up videos on the internet that may nor many not have recently included a LEGO video involving a Miley Cyrus ‘Wrecking Ball’ reenactment. Which is pretty much the #1 reason I don’t want to get the kids a tablet.
But before leaving for Turks & Caicos, the oh-so-kind folks at LeapFrog sent each of my kids a LeapFrog3 Kids’ Learning Tablet, the responsive wi-fi enabled tablet that adjusts to each child’s learning level (and has only pre-screened and expert approved web content– NO MILEY CYRUS HERE!) I could barely get them out of the boxes before the kids planted themselves on the floor beside the outlets where they were charging and interacted with the units for over an hour. They arrived at the perfect time, after a day of outdoor play and me trying to settle them down so I could make dinner and pack for our trip. Knowing they were happily learning while they played and rested gave me such peace of mind and alleviated any mom-guilt I had over screen time.
The LeapPad3 includes 10 apps plus a free download, and you can buy additional apps or cartridges to expand the games and activities. They include fun games like Pet Chat, where kids can text each other’s LeapPads with preloaded messages– that was a blast while waiting with other #BeachesMoms kids at the airport. They even have a camera so my kids were empowered to take pictures and they are learning the art of the selfie, too; with a fun app that makes silly photos which had my kids giggling up a storm!
I don’t know, do you think my kids liked them?
We used them while waiting in line…
on the plane…
to bribe the kids to come inside from the Beaches waterslides for some out-of-the-sun ‘downtime’…
to make lemonade while stuck in Turks & Caicos an extra day at our lemon of a hotel (thanks USAir…)
to distract the kids from the fact had no breakfast (and me, no shower, YIKES– excuse this next photo!) while waiting at the airport…
And now that we’re home, we use them during the ‘witching hour’– you know that time, after school but pre-dinner when all the kids want to do is watch t.v. and apparently fight with each other. Now with the tablet they can learn while they chill out, and with Wi-Fi and LeapSearch powered by Zui, children can explore kid-friendly web content that is 100% pre-screened and approved by learning experts.
Here’s the honest to goodness truth about this post, a peek behind the scenes if you will: when first offered the chance to write a sponsored post, I politely declined because my editorial calendar is so full right now. LeapFrog kindly sent the LeapPad3 anyways, knowing I wouldn’t write about them. However, after seeing how much my kids loved them, the great learning games and genuine enjoyment they were having, and the kicker– the fact that these toys made a long journey a total breeze— I had to share from my heart and let you know that the LeapPad3 is Making Lemonade (and kids) approved. I pushed other things aside to make room for the post because we were so thankful for them. So if you’re looking for a more genuine endorsement, you probably won’t find one. 🙂
I don’t even have fancy schmancy photos for this post, just ones snapped with my phone on the fly to capture us enjoying the LeapPad3 in real time. If you’re looking for a Hot Toy for 2014, THIS IS IT. You’re welcome, Santa!
Any questions I can answer? How do you keep kids entertained while traveling? Are you a LeapFrog lover like us? And how do you feel about BIG BOLD questions at the end of a post, haha!
Katie says
Thank you! This couldn’t have been more perfect timing. I was literally just thinking about a tablet for my kids and about to start researching- so glad to hear this great recommendation.
Barb Hoyer says
We just pulled our LeapPad back out again. I bought it this summer when my youngest broke his arm. I love that the kids only see what’s on the LeapPad and nothing else.
Heather says
What a great review. These tablets looked like they were a lifesaver. You are a much better woman than I. I would have been in shambles if my family ended up in a hotel with no drinkable water because of plane issues. You get my respect there.