LeapPad Ultra Review

My 6 year old has been begging for a tablet from Santa for Christmas this year. His 10 year old sister is receiving one, but I was reluctant to purchase one for him, as he is 6 and currently in a destructive state (not in a bad way, just in a normal 6 year old kind of way). His Nintendo DS lasted all of 3 months, while his Ipod Touch lasted 2 months. I was reluctant to buy a tablet at all. We love that LeapFrog has introduced a tablet for kids just his age, LeapFrog LeapPad Ultra Kids' Learning Tablet

LeapPad Ultra comes with 10 apps. When you register your device, you will be able to get an additional app for free (from a list of 3). I like that it allowed you to choose your last app based on your child's wants and needs. The tablet was easy to set up, even for a child. My 6 year old instinctively knew what to do when it was turned on. Some negative reviews commented on load time. This only occurs with initial set up and adding the apps themselves (although app time may have been my connectivity as well). To actually play the app, there is a very short wait (what you would normally expect-- about 3-5 seconds). This was ONLY noticed in the initial boot up. To load the apps it loaded very quickly. Although the child can go "online" it is only to access a limited amount of videos and LeapFrog related items. I personally found this to be a HUGE bonus (not a negative). The device comes with many things loaded straight from the box, so you may want to set it up before you purchase anything. Included was:

• 10 songs (2 albums of 5)
• Art Studio
• Voice Memo
• Pet Chat
• Pet
• Photo Fun (there is a camera on both sides to take photos of themselves and photos of other things)
• Clock (which also works as an alarm clock and to teach time)
• Calendar (learn about dates, days, etc) You can also add birthdays and other events.
• Calculator
• Notepad

It does NOT come with any books, so that may be something to load right away. It comes with games only if that is what you selected as your 11th app, so games may also be something you want to purchase as well. You save 30% for registering your device, plus LeapFrog has buy 3 get the 4th free often. Right now (through 11/17) they FALL5 saves you $5 off a $20 purchase. You also often find the digital gift cards on sale at places like Amazon.

The device is sturdy and seems to so far stand up to falls well. The stylus actually slides right into the device (yay no more missing styluses!) My son has been enjoying the pad, and hopefully will not mind now that Santa is bringing his sister a tablet.

I received the LeapFrog Ultra for review purposes from LeapFrog and MomSelect. I was not compensated in any other way. My opinions and experiences are my own.