Gift ideas needed for 3 and 5 year olds

[coug7099]

 I want to buy my little guys (3 and 5 years old) some kind of electronic hand held learning toys for Christmas. Does anyone have any experience with this? I want something they can use without much adult supervision, maybe in the car. Something they will learn with and not get frustrated with.

Any suggestions? Any other gift suggestions for this age group? These kids do not play with toys. They prefer to run, jump, climb and make dirt bike noises. It's going to be a looong Winter in my house.They do enjoy playing board games with their Mom or I so the names any games your kids love with also be appreciated.

 

[mom22tumblebugs]

Leapster. Great handheld. My 7 yr old got one when she was 3 and still loves it.

Her favorite cartridge is Mr Pencil draw and write. I think the older cartridges are better than the new Leapster 2 ones. I don't like that wasa reward they get a computer code to go online. If I wanted them to play on my computer I wouldn't have bought a leapster. She also played Thomas a lot when she was 3. Backyardigans is boring a least played. You can buy the older games from the leapfrog site. We have 14 cartidges. Toys r us often has a buy one get one sale around the holidays. I never pay fullprice.

[coug7099]

 Is there only one Leapster and do all Leapster games work with it or do I need to buy specific games to fit it? I know if you buy a Nintendo then Super Nintendo games are not compatable.

I just looked online at Craigslist and see games for a Leapster Max. I am also seeing Leapster 2 and Leapster L. Are these 3 different systems which will each take different games?

[mom22tumblebugs]

Leapster and Leapster 2 are what are in the stores. Leapster 2 you can connect to your computer to track your child's progress, and costs more... Both play all Leapster games. I think Leapster Max you were able to hook up to your TV to play on a larger screen.

Quoting coug7099:

 Is there only one Leapster and do all Leapster games work with it or do I need to buy specific games to fit it? I know if you buy a Nintendo then Super Nintendo games are not compatable.

I just looked online at Craigslist and see games for a Leapster Max. I am also seeing Leapster 2 and Leapster L. Are these 3 different systems which will each take different games?

[JustMe0326]

 VSmile...it's better than the Leapster IMO

[shannonmarie77]

Maybe V Smile Pocket or Nintendo DS?

[JustMe0326]

However, the Leapfrog Tag system / pen and books are pretty cool. Those are great for car rides. 

[texassahm]

www.gifts.com is a site where you can input the age of the child and they will give you gift suggestions from various sites.  I use it all the time with success!

[Keywi231]

Quoting JustMe0326:

 VSmile...it's better than the Leapster IMO

My 5 yr old has both, he never touches the vsmile the leapster goes everywhere with us! Plus IMO the games are not as educational on the vsmile.

[mom22tumblebugs]

vsmile games are more arcade like... and they don't necessarily need to solve a problem to advance to the next step. My kids like vsmile too, b/c it is faster. I feel better about their eyes with it too..... I played I Spy in my daughter's leapster, and boy after a while, the eyestrain! It took me a while to adjust to seeing far again.... I can only imagine how it will ruin my daughter's eyes. I limit the amount of time they play and make them look up and around for a while every 10-15 min... so I don't need to invest in glasses down the line to correct nearsightedness.

Quoting Keywi231:

 

Quoting JustMe0326:

 VSmile...it's better than the Leapster IMO

My 5 yr old has both, he never touches the vsmile the leapster goes everywhere with us! Plus IMO the games are not as educational on the vsmile.

[coug7099]

 Thanks for all of your input. I looked at both at Toys R Us today. The V-tech Smile has games for 3 year olds but the Leapsters games are for ages 5-9. So I have decided to buy one of each. That way each boy has different games and they will have a combination of more games to play if they share. Wal-Mart has the V-Tech on sale Friday for $30 with games for $10. Toys R Us has the Leapster on their doorbuster sale on Friday for $30.