LeapFrog LeapPad 3 {Review}

Disclosure:  I received this product to review in exchange for sharing my honest opinion.

We have been a Leapfrog family since my kids were born and honestly I couldn’t even tell you how many Leapfrog products we own, too many to count.  One product though that my kids use daily are their LeapPad tablets. From the first LeapPad to the LeapPad2 to the LeapPad Ultra, we have them all. These tablets have been on vacation with us, gone to bed with my boys, entertained them at restaurants and are often their go-to “toy.” Each LeapPad has been expanded upon and just keeps getting better and better in my opinion. My absolute favorite feature though is they make sure the games all work on all the LeapPad systems. So no matter if you have the first LeapPad or the new LeapPad 3, the game cartridges are the same!

The New LeapPad 3 is priced affordably at $99.99 and is packed with some great features:

• Wi-Fi with kid-safe Web
• Powerful quad-core processor and sleek design for performance fun
• Kid-tough to withstand kids dropping them
• 1,000+ games and apps available to purchase and download
• Rechargeable battery that charges via USB or AC adapter – About 6 hours of battery life
• Personalized learning based on your child’s grade level and progress
• Parental controls
• 5″ touchscreen that is shatter safe
• Peer-to-peer play only with nearby devices for certain apps
• Progress reports can be viewed by parent to see what the child has been working on
• Front and back camera
• 4 GB memory for apps and games
• Includes 10 apps ($70 value)
• Includes stylus

I also took a video to show off the product more:

Going from the LeapPad Ultra to the LeapPad 3 was a change for my boys as the screen is smaller and there is less memory for storage, but honestly they didn’t mind.  Those are the two big differences I have noticed and if that doesn’t matter to you then you can save the $30 and go for the LeapPad 3 rather than the Ultra.  The apps, games and basic design is the same.  To me actually the LeapPad 3 is nicer for younger kids because it is lighter and easier to hold for little hands.  The screen size is also comparable to my cell phone which is fine for my kids.  I love that you hold it horizontally like you would other tablets and that the touchscreen is responsive with no problems.  I hate when you have a touchscreen but its hard for kids to register their movements.  What really impresses me though with the LeapPad 3 is that you can still use the regular LeapPad cartridges that you may already own.  We have owned a LeapPad tablet since they first came out and it is so nice to not have to buy new games continuously.  Then having the option to download games instead of buying the cartridge is nice as well because then we don’t loose the cartridge and we can download the game on up to three of our LeapPad tablets.  Overall, the LeapPad 3 has become a favorite for my youngest child, my 3 year old daughter.  She has no problem tapping away on it and playing games.  I don’t have to worry either since it is pretty dang tough!

BUY IT: The LeapPad3 by LeapFrog can be purchased direct from LeapFrog for $99.99 or look for it at a mass retailer near you (or online at Amazon.)