The new LeapPad 2 is now available, and our crack team of kid reviewers couldn't wait to get their hands on the children's tablet from Leapfrog; read our LeapPad 2 review. And watch our LeapPad 2 video review with our 6-year-old reviewer showing off the tablet.
If grown men and women can get over-excited about the prospect of a new iPad or Samsung Galaxy smartphone just imagine the bed-wetting anticipation of children hearing about updates to their favourite gadget toys. See also - Group test: Best tablets for children
Two great kids’ tablets that did battle last Christmas as top gadget gifts of the year have just been updated: VTech’s InnoTab 2 and the Leapfrog LeapPad2, reviewed here. See also Group test: what's the best cheap tablet PC?
The Leapfrog LeapPad Explorer was one of the big hits around the 2011 Christmas tree, and won various Mum’s awards. We loved its kid-friendly size, rounded-edge shape, and range of educational and fun apps. Take a look at the LeapPad 2 vs InnoTab 2 children's tablet comparison review.
It’s no iPad, but that’s a good thing for many reasons. Here’s some: the iPad is too big for smaller hands; the iPad links to the bad, mad world of the Internet; kids on iPads keep demanding new apps; iPads are expensive; iPads break easier when dropped; sometimes you want to use your own iPad, you know, yourself…
There are children's tablets, such as the Arnova ChildPad, that get closer to the look and feel of the adult tablets but we haven't been convinced yet.
See also: VTech InnoTab 2 review
Now the Leapfrog LeapPad2 Explorer is out, and my six-year-old daughter was jumping up and down at the thought of the new version. She loves the iPad and my iPhone, but she likes the LeapPad just as much – maybe because she knows its made for her.
(She a bit of a tech vet, though – and can tell a new iPad from an iPad 2 – so she might not be totally representative.)
One of the great things about the LeapPad is its stylish design. While it's not monochrome cool like most tablets it isn't overly garish or kiddy – something we found with its rival the VTech InnoTab. To be fair, though, some kids prefer the chunkier, bright colours, and the more stylish LeapPad looks might not bother a child in search of some tech app fun.
Leapfrog puts the intended LeapPad age range as 3-9. We think an eight or nine year-old would probably find this sort of device as a bit too toy-like and prefer something more like an adult tablet. But for 3-7 year-olds it’s a great alternative. My daughter can swap between LeapPad and iPad without thinking either is better than the other. As usual it’s down to the quality of the software, and the LeapPad has much to offer.
The new LeapPad looks very similar to the original version. It has a roomy 5-inch screen that might not be a match for the near 10-inch iPad but fits better into smaller hands, and weighs a lot less, too.
LeapPad 2 review: What’s new?
The LeapPad2 now includes not one but two still and video cameras, each at a higher resolution than that of the original LeapPad. It features a faster processor, better memory capability, and improved battery life.
In place of the original LeapPad’s rather weedy rear-facing 0.3-megapixel camera the LeapPad 2 boasts much more impressive 2-megapixel cameras on front and back.
A lot of the LeapPad apps make use of the camera, and kids love taking photos of their friends and families for use in various games. With the new front-facing camera they can take photos of themselves without having to ask for assistance.
The improved camera is therefore a welcome one, although maybe not enough to warrant upgrading your old LeapPad 1 to the new version. People new to LeapPad are getting a great deal, though.
Internal storage is doubled from 2GB to 4GB, and the processor gets a speed bump from 400MHz to 500MHz.
That extra storage capacity is handy with new apps including lots of video functionality, and those 2-megapixel photos take up a lot more space than ones from the poor 0.3MP camera.
As previously you control the action using either your finger or the included stylus on the LeapPad’s touchscreen. The stylus slots nicely into the side of the tablet, and is attached by a cord so it doesn’t get put down somewhere and lost.
It is still powered by four AA batteries, so we recommend you invest in a decent battery charger. There is an optional rechargeable battery pack, costing £29.99. As this works only with the LeapPad2 you might be better off buying a decent battery charger for use all around the home.
Leapfrog claims that battery life for the LeapPad2 is improved from 8 hours for the first LeapPad to 9 hours.
All the games and apps come with some quite annoying music and sound effects so the volume controls are a godsend, as is the headphone jack. The best kids headphones we’ve seen are Griffin’s volume-limiting MyPhones.
As there’s no Wi-Fi you have to tether the LeapPad to your computer to download new games, and loading/off-loading digital content such as those photos from the improved cameras. This is more of a bind than downloading games straight to an iPad/iPhone or Android smartphone but does remove some of the nagging for new games that those devices can quickly draw out of a child.
NEXT PAGE: LeapPad2 software
FInd out what great games and apps come with the LeapPad2.
Comments
mich said: my son is 3 and has autism and is able to use this fine and he loves it
Crocket01 said: Disagree that I bought it to keep her quiet for hours on end Yes journeys can get quite boring and after a few gamesdrawingsstickers you are going to get bored too and so is your kid This is great for about 30 mins or 45 mins when you want to talk to your better half or your exhausted towards the end of a journey The purchase of the tablet is one tool in my armour Do this right and you should find that your kid is bored of the tablet games as well and will want you to play with her after about 45 mins
Crocket01 said: Just to add so far impressed with battery life I was expecting abysmal life but actually used it on a couple of away trips on the train with no problems New rechargeable batteries giving at least 5 hours use for me
Crocket01 said: I recently bought my 3 year old the leappad 2 after looking at several sites to decide which is best I bought it because I knew Id need to spend money on games and so this was also economically cheaper than buying an ipad or even a samsung tablet So I bought her a game for 3 year olds Jake and the Never Land Pirates she can just about manage this game I also bought Cars 2 which she is struggling with and was really aimed at 4 year olds I bought and downloaded some alphabet aps as well as the music player which she thought was cool but didnt touch it again The leappad games are geared more for an older child say closer to 4 or older
Llinda said: Hiya was wondering if I could get somehelp pleaseMy daughter has had her leappad2 three weeks now and she has cracked the screenWould i be able to get a replacement or get it Fixed somewhereany comments would be much appreciated thank you
djhawkes1 said: Hi to AllI brought 2 Leappads for my twins I was digusted they didnt come with adapters to be able to connect them to the mains and that they require batteries It doesnt take too long before the batteries die which becomes very expensive in the long run so I was forced to buy two adapters I managed to find them for half the price of the ones that are selling in Toys R Us and I brought a few extras so if anyone requires one drop me a line on jameshawkes1hotmailcouk or 07739314749 and I will gladly send you one for a much cheaper priceThanks
fantastic dina said: I like the LeapPad 2 however my 5 year old has quickly become bored with it The games are all about the same from what I can tell He much prefers my phone so i bought him a Nabi
Blainejna22 said: I bought two leap pads for my 4 and 5 year old They love it Be aware when the screen stops working even after you callibrate the screen and you still do not get a response with your stylus you might have crumbs or dirt stuck in the edges of the screen and the tablet I used a thin shape hard plastic credit card to get in between and remove any debris so that callibration is a success I was amazed the little that was trapped there makes such a difference If you callibrate and not wipe your screen or clean in between the edges of your screen you will have and continue to have problems with callibration even thou it tells you that callibration was successfully completed I havent had a problem with the screen since I cleaned it out
Mdartis1 said: The leapad 2 is wonderful My 25 montn old grandson just received one last month and he is already navigating through the system and taking pictures
Lxvxv said: This device is a disgrace Awful battery life awful screen awful software 20 for a game my 2 year old can use an ipad with peppa pig and angry birds etc then I gave her this its like giving her a baby rattle Getting her a cheap android tablet to replace this waste of money disaster product AVOID THIS LEAPPAD
not a happy bunny said: i just unboxed my boys yesterdayand to be honest im wishing i never bothered wasting near enough 150its all very well sayin g about learningbut by the time i had learned how to navigate through the menus my head was friedif i was looking to by my boy something to learn with i wish i got a pile of books and jigsawthere is soem things kids just should not have and thats a 2 bit tablet rip offthat costs a fortunewithout the accesories needed for it to be enjoyableANYONE THINKING OFF BUYING THISBUY A PLAYBOOK AND DOWNLOAD LEARNING APPS FROM THE NETTHE LEAP PAD AINT WORTH THE PLASTIC ITS ENCASED INAND I WONT EVEN START ABOUT THE GAMES 25 EACH 910 FOR A WASTE OF MONEYJUST GLAD I CAN USE THE DURACELL BATTERIES IN SOME OTHER TOYAT LEAST I RE COUPED A FIVER FROM THE NEAR ENOUGH 150 WASTED -
AlexandraVW said: Hi i recently purchased a new Leappad 2 from a private seller on Ebay for my 3 yr old boy for Christmas 1st day he played with it Christmas Day he dropped it and the screen has cracked Something come onto the screen which startled him and caused him to let go of it As it is actually recommended for children from the age of three i would have thought it would have had a more durable screen Do you know if Leappads warranty would cover the screen as im not happy with the quality of the product
Parr Michelle said: I did a lot of research on both I purchased the Leapad 2 and then took it back because with the upgrades to Innotab 2GS there is WiFi 2 Gig memory with the option to expand it up to 32 Gigabites Leapad has 4 Gig and no option to expand it Innotab can upload your movies but Leapad cannot One additional bonus is that the downloads for Innotab range from 299 to 499 verses the Leapad 2 downloads starting at 499 to 999 The Leapfrog games are also more expensive I really like Leapfrog and have a lot of their products but I feel the Innotab 2 and Innotab 2GS has outdone Leapad 2 this year No doubt the Leapad 2 is awesome as is all of their products Either way I dont think you can go wrong with your purchase Both are excellent products So whatever product you have chosen to purchase I think you will be pleased
Abhishek said: I need to know if i can transfer videos from my laptop to leappad2and play it on leap pad2
Bigjsautorepair said: I think I am in the same boat as a lot of parents my house looks like best buy my 5year old baby girl has the leap pad she likes it but my 7year old has a htc flyer I wish I could go back in time and do it again my 7yr old will not play with any thing close to a reg toy He and she are getting samsung tablets for xmas 10in version But I hope I can give her leap pad to some child that needs it
Simon Jary said: Yes you can buy games cartridges as well as download
Nmitchell040983 said: Just dont purchase it directly from Leap Pad Their customer service is terrible No support for you as a customer at all I bought a Leap Pad 2 for my grandson for Christmas and had it directly shipped on 11-26 They sent it back to Leap Pad and they can not tell me why where it is or give me a credit so I can purchase another one If I had not called I still would not of know they had not received it and now it is too late to get one for ChristmasWill never purchase from them again
Lynda Molloy said: can you buy actualy physical games for the leappad 2 or just download them I saw games in argos but thought perhaps this was just for the leappad 1
Rsepulveda86 said: I love the idea of the leap pad2 The whole concept is to let kids be kids while educating them in phonicsreading and math science skills while also being fun and easy to useThe point of the leap pad 2 is also to censor children from inappropriate use of the internet and tomanage how they use the device which in my opinion should only be used for educational purposes Im so glad that you cant download Angry birds movies or cartoonsit defeats the whole purpose if it doesIts bad enoughthey spend too much time watching television and playing video games the least we can do as parents is monitor what type of hand held portable device they can useIm not a complete ogre once in a while ill let my 5 yr old play angry birds on my cell BUT she s at the age where she actually wants to learn and read and do fun educational activities Im my opinion I believe that an iPad iPod tablets with unlimited possibilities diminsh a childs ability to learn any thing educational Lets face it people the majority of parents gets their kids these devices not for educational but to shove something in their face and keep them quiet for hours on end
Simon Jary said: Youre right that something like the iPad mini or smaller Android tablet offers more cheaper software But its initial cost is multiple times that of kids tablets like the LeapPad The LeapPad also has no internet access so you can feel more reassured that your child is better protected from the horrors of the web Obviously theres a lot of good kids stuff on the web - but much of it from a games point of view wont run on an iPad