Once again LeapFrog has answered parents prayers. My son who is now 6 is always asking, "Mom can I please get an Xbox/Playstation/ whatever video game system is popular with my friends right now please please please." I refuse to buy him a video game system at this age. In fact, I think it is ridiculous to buy a child under the age of 10 any type of video game system. With the Leapster TV, we have an alternative to the gaming systems that hook up to the television.

The Leapster TV is compatible with any game that has the Leapster name on it. The system comes with the cables to hook it up to the TV, one joystick, and a Dora the Explorer game called Piñata Party. You will need to purchase batteries for the system to work or splurge a little bit and buy the AC adapter. I highly recommend doing this instead of batteries. You will save money in the long run with the AC adapter! A lot of the Leapster games are 2 player games (including the one that comes with the system). So if you have 2 or more children that will be playing this, pick up another controller as well.

The one thing I really love about this system is having the ability to see what they are doing compared to when they use the Leapster L Max handheld system. It is easier to help them with the games when they get stuck on a part. Also being able to watch what they are doing, you can see exactly what they are learning while they are playing.

My one disappointment in the system is the graphics. The graphics aren't as clear as they are on the handheld. This probably isn't that important to the children playing it. The one game that looks truly awful on this system is The Backyarigans. Another qualm I have is the lack of a flap or some other protection over the slot where the games plug into. I make sure to check it or leave a game in it at all times to keep dirt and stuff from getting down in the slot.

For the price, this system is definitely worth investing in. You will be satisfying their want of a video game system along with your want for educational activities for your whole family.

Handheld gaming systems for children are extremely popular so of course my 5 year old has been bugging me for a system like the best selling Gameboy by Nintendo. At his young age, I don't want to start an addiction to video games. The LeapFrog Company has given parents an alternative choice to video games for children 4 to 10 years old. The L-Max Learning System is a handheld device that offers many educational products instead of video games that aren't appropriate for children. My son fell in love with this as soon as he saw it. A bonus to this system is it comes with cables that hook up to your TV offering you a 2 in 1 system. This system will be a great alternative for keeping the kids busy in the car on long road trips!

The system comes preprogrammed with games so you don't need to buy cartridges right away. One preprogrammed game is like the old video game called Frogger but used a bunny instead. The child is told to jump to a letter or number depending on which they choose. My son felt so proud of himself when he could get all the answers right. When we hooked it up to the TV, Wesley really enjoyed writing letters on the L-Max screen then watching his work appear on TV. The Leapster comes with a stylus like all other LeapFrog products but some games you can play by just touching the screen or using the directional pad.

A word of caution though: if you don't purchase the AC adapter, use high quality batteries! I purchased "cheap" batteries and within a few hours (literally a few hours. Wesley played with this for 4 hours nonstop when we received it!), the batteries zonked out on us. I highly recommend Duracell or Energizer batteries with all LeapFrog products.

I am very particular about the activity centers I purchase for my children. I am sure you are the same way. I believe you can never go wrong with any items from the LeapFrog Company. Even though the My First LeapPad is aimed for the preschool age group, beginning readers in kindergarten and first grade can benefit from using this.

The My First LeapPad uses a stylus like their other products. I really like that there aren't any raised letters with cracks for dirt to get under the keys. This toy is easy to keep clean. The stylus is great for developing fine motor skills because it is shaped like a real pencil. The only downfall I have found about this LeapFrog product is that if the child doesn't respond in a certain amount of time it resets to the default game that can get frustrating for the younger child.

There are a few built in games for your child to try before you buy more books for it. When you turn the machine on, the first game offered is touching letters with the stylus and the voice tells you what the letter is. Touch the "Play a Song" area and it sings "The Wheels on the Bus." Touch the "Letter Names" area and it asks you to touch a letter. It will tell you the letter you touch then ask you to find a new letter. This activity is great to get children familiar with what the letters of the alphabet are.

Then there is the "Letter Sounds" button. The system plays a little song and asks you to find a letter that sounds like the sound the voice says. This is a great introduction to phonics. If you touch the correct letter, it will say the sound again and what letter you pick. This is an essential skill for reading skills.

LeapFrog makes a wide variety of books for this system. They can be found relatively cheap on Amazon.com and at Wal-Mart.

LeapFrog never ceases to amaze me. The new 100 Hoops game was an instant hit with my children. The sturdy construction of all pieces is really good. When I saw the backboard was cardboard and not plastic, I was a little concerned. But it is made of very thick, laminated cardboard and will stay nice for a very long time.

The netting of the basket is made of touch cloth. I yanked and yanked on it. This piece will also last for a long time.

The game can be mounted to a solid back chair or a slightly opened dresser draw using the large clip provided. In addition, there is an attachment allows the game to be suspended from a doorknob or screwed into the wall. We tried to put it on a doorknob but the game would swing and frustrate the little one.

The game itself teaches how to count to 100 in several ways in English and in Spanish. Counting in 2s, 5s, and 10s are a few examples. There is even a function to count backwards from 100 to 1. My kids really loved the cheering noises and the positive statements made by the voice in the game. So not only are we learning to count but we are getting a self-esteem boost from making baskets. We have also been learning Spanish from various videos. The game counts and praises in Spanish.

I really recommend this product for preschoolers both in the classroom and at home.