iLearn ‘N’ Play Interactive App Toys for Kids {Review}

When we first got our iPad, my boys were addicted to it.  Then slowly the novelty wore off and they were bored with it.  I admit I was happy to have our iPad back but I missed seeing their joy from experiencing a new game and the all the educational aspects they could learn from it.  Well AppStart Learning has launched iLearn ‘N’ Play and we have lost our iPad again.  Created from a brilliant team of product development experts who worked with brands such as VTech Early Learning, Microsoft Actimates, Fisher Price, Uno and Cranium – iLearn ‘N’ Play has created products that while integrated with their apps take learning to a new level.

AppStart Learning has crafted three product devices that not only safely enclose and protect an iPad, iPhone or iPod, but they incorporate toy features such as buttons, knobs or a stylus.  The three new products are:

Learning Tablet toy (iPad App – Letterbox )

Adventure Explorer toy (iPad or iPhone/iPod Touch App – Letter Explorer)

Robbi toy (iPhone/iPod Touch App – Numberbots)

I was excited about the new products and honestly it was hard to choose just one.  The choice was easily made for me though when my kids saw them and they all pointed at the Adventure Explorer.  They thought it would be so cool to have a car dashboard just like mom and dad!

Adventure Explorer

Connect your iPad, iPad mini, iPhone or iPod via Bluetooth to this amazing console, turn on the ignition key and “drive” into a fun learning adventure. Each Adventure Explorer has a working on/off ignition switch, a steering wheel, shifter, accelerator, forward/reverse control that integrates with iLearn ‘N’ Play apps.The Adventure Explorer comes with a free “Letter Explorer” app. This fun learning app helps young children learn about letters and phonics! Children are encouraged to collect and recognize letters, sounds and spell simple high frequency words.

Okay so this app and toy was a huge hit with all three of my kids (6, 4 and 18 months), so much so they fought over it!  Setting up the Adventure Explorer is easy, just add in the 3 “AA” batteries and download the free app.  Then you have to pair your device via bluetooth which is just going to Settings and Bluetooth, then clicking a button the toy so it finds it – we had no issues there.  Then your off.  Each level is locked so you do have to beat the first level to move on, but my boys loved the challenge.  I love that not only are they getting letter recognition but the app also says the letter sounds.  I’d recommend too that you restart your device after installing the app as we had some issues with the app freezing but a restart fixed that.  We haven’t tried our iPod Touch in it yet because I can’t find it, but I do love how the case encloses it and keeps it protected.  I am thinking when I do find our iPod Touch I am keeping it in the case so its safe and visible!  We use our iPad with the Adventure Explorer and it is perfect for my kids to see and it really makes them feel like they are driving!  I would have liked a way to more secure in the iPad as it just rests on the ledge of this toy, but as long as your kids are not yanking the toy off the table it is fine.

The Adventure Explorer overall is a fun toy.  My kids pretend play with all the time, without the app and my boys asked to bring it in the car next time.  You can also play the app without the toy which is nice if you are out since the toy is obviously bulky and not portable.  I am definitely happy I choose the Adventure Explorer as we don’t have any toy like it and it has been fun to watch my boys work on their letters without realizing they are learning too!

BUY IT:  iLearn ‘N’ Play can be found at Target stores and www.target.com from $19.99 to $39.99.

WIN IT:  (1) US winner will receive their choice of one of the three iLearn ‘N’ Play products – Please note these toys and apps work only with iOS Apple devices (not Android).

GIVEAWAY ENTRY:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Mom and More Disclosure: I was sent this product to review in exchange for my honest opinion. Please see my Disclosure Policy.