LeapFrog Leap TV Video Game System Review
I received free products in order to host the LeapFrog sponsored MommyParty. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Do your kids beg you to play video games? It can be hard to choose the right video games for kids, especially when your kids are between the ages of 3-8. You’d probably want something non-violent and perhaps even educational. Games that kept kids active would even be a bonus!
The new LeapFrog LeapTV Educational Active Video Game System
Thanks to LeapFrog and MomSelect, I was sent the LeapFrog LeapTV to review and host a Mommy Party! I also received two games: LeapTV Dance & Learn and LeapTV Sports.
Learning Games
The LeapTV Video Game System is designed to keep kids active as they learn essential skills, like reading, spelling, math, science, and more. It’s not just a video game where kids sit still and just move their fingers; in fact, most of the activities have kids up and moving as they learn!
It comes with a few parts, including:
- Console with stand, HDMI cable and AC cable
- Motion-sensing camera and mount
- Remote that transforms
- Built-in wifi
- 16 GB of memory
The set-up of the system was really easy. The directions lead you step by step, plus there are prompts on the TV as you are setting it up. The only thing I had to stop for was to register the system online so that we could get the free download of Pet Play World, but that took only a few minutes.
Things to note:
- Your TV needs to have an HDMI port on it. That is how the system connects to the TV.
- The WiFi connection is optional, but I recommend it. It was how we downloaded the free Pet Play World, and when their are game downloads available in December 2014, we can download straight to the system rather than buying the cartridges.
One of the first things to do once the system is set up is to create your profiles. You can set up to six profiles, with names and grade levels. The grade levels help the system recognize how difficult the tasks should be for each child. For instance, my daughter is in the pre-K level while my son is in the First Grade level. He would do more complex addition and subtraction while she would just have to recognize numbers. I like that when the kids play the games together, the system does all the work to make sure they are at level and that the games are fair.
The first time I opened up the system, my daughter and I tried it out. It was really easy for me to use the remote, but it took her a few tries to get the hang of the joystick. It does take a bit of training for the kids to realize that when the controller is used as a wand that it needs to be aimed at the camera, not at the TV.
What’s really cool is that the kids basically get to be the stars on TV. It’s not a cartoon character they see; it’s actually their image in the games that use the motion sensing camera!
The games are really fun and perfectly made for young kids. And boy, do they keep you moving! I was winded after playing the Dance & Learn Game!
Our LeapTV Party
As part of this review, MomSelect asked me to have a LeapTV party. We invited some of our favorite younger cousins and my youngest brother (he’s 20 years younger than I am!) to join us in the fun!
We had some yummy snacks for our party, including little pizzas on whole wheat English muffins, froggy green-apple jello, Cousin Toad’s Pink Lemonade, and so much more! The kids gobbled it all up in no time!
The kids were in teams playing the games in the Dance & Learn and Sports: boys against girls. They had a blast trying to beat each other’s high scores!
See some of the action below, including an interview with my son who played the LeapTV that day from 1pm to 7pm!
What We Love About LeapTV
- So much continuous fun. The kids never get bored.
- So much continuous learning (but shh, don’t tell the kids!)
What Could Be Improved
- I wish the camera didn’t need so much light to function. I feel like we had every light on in the living room when we played the games at night.
- The camera could be a tad more sensitive to the movement of the wand, especially for the sake of younger kids.
I’m really looking forward to trying all of the other games from LeapFrog, like Jake and the Neverland Pirates, Princess Sofia, Pixar Pals and more. They’re definitely on the kids’ Christmas list this year!
I HIGHLY recommend the LeapFrog LeapTV video gaming system for your kids this holiday season. You will not be disappointed!!
Video Games for Kids
I received free products in order to host the LeapFrog sponsored MommyParty. The opinions expressed here are my own.
Emilie Proctor says
I have been thinking about getting this for my daughter. It looks so fun and right up her ally!
Ruth Maye Bright says
this would be great for kids
Jenn Erin says
Wow I did not know that leapfrog has this now! Very neat!
Sandra Watts says
This is so cool! What great fun for kids!
KATHARINE COOKMAN says
I REMEMBER PLAYING LEAPFROG WHEN I WAS A KID. NOW IT LOOKS MORE FUN. NOT FARE EVERYTHING IS GETTING BETTER WHEN SINCE I WAS YOUNGER (LOL)
Christy Caldwell says
This looks like so much fun! I hadn’t heard of this particular Leap Frog product. I love it.
lindamanns says
I love that this is educational and it involves movement for kids. I really think this would be great for my grandkids. Thank you for sharing
Teresa Richards says
I have a Wii, That my grandson plays. I like the fact, that he is not just sitting and playing games, but having to move around and such. The issue with this, is that most of the games are hard for smaller kids to play. This would be so much better. Thank you!
Marissa says
The LeapTV games are DEFINITELY easier for little kids to play. They don’t require reading at the youngest levels, and the controls are very easy.
lisa says
How cute, I love the baby clapping in the background!I’m not big on video games in general because a lot of them are violent.These are great. They teach children while they’re having fun. It helps with coordination and builds confidence,
Heather Swarthout says
I received this as well to review and I absolutely loved it! The party was so much fun and my daughter plays this every day. It’s so educational and so good for them to keep them moving around instead of sitting still!
Mary Clark says
So if a person does not have internet the system still can be used? Son can not afford Internet, but I would like to purchase system for him.
Mary says
how do u get the setup step if the controller not paring?
Marissa says
You may need to start the setup process for the controller again. If you visit the Leapfrog website you can find the tutorial to help you do that.