Electronic Games

[wendygrace]

Michael, 4, is really into video games and has enjoyed the V-Smile that my mother has. I am considering requesting some sort of electronic game for him for his birthday from the grandparents. I'd like it to be educational and have a variety of uses. Preferably, I'd like it to be something I can pull out at a restaurant for example. Anyone have any good reviews for me on which would be the best option?

[Jenny]

I LOVE the Leapster!! Its so great and interactive. We bought a used one and eventhough some of the pixels are dead on the screen, it is still used heavily LOL

[Shasta]

I'm a huge Leapster fan too, the games are educational and my son loves his, it's great to take places with us too!

[Mary]

Gotta chime in for the Leapster, as well. My kids each have one and they love them and there's a huge variety of games which are all educational. The recommended age is actually 4-8 but my son started playing with his sister's just after he turned 3 and he enjoyed it so much we ended up getting him his own for Christmas. He's still not 4 yet but plays with it all the time.

If you get it I'd HIGHLY recommend getting the AC adapter so you can plug it into the wall. Then when you're around home you can plug it to use it and save the batteries for when you're out of the house. They do run through the batteries awfully fast if that's all you use. ;)

[wendygrace]

Thank you guys so much. I've add the Leapster to ds' "wishlist" for his b-day. Hopefully one of the grandparents will spring for it.

[Brooke]

We have the VSmile and so far Xander loves it. I'm very intrigued about the Leapster though.

The VSmile is great. Meijer often has a "Buy one get one free" on the games, so you get two games for $20 instead of one for $20. THey have age-appropriate games and all are labeled with age ranges: 2-4, 3-5, 4-6, 6-8. There are character games (blue's Clues, Dora, etc) and regular ones too.

We really like this one. :)