"Leap into Gaming" with LeapFrog LeapTV

I received free products in order to host the LeapFrog sponsored MommyParty. The opinions expressed here are my own. #LeapTV #MommyParties

Oregon is known for it's wet weather, dark Winters and annual feelings of cabin fever have already started to appear. It is hard to keep kids, young kids especially, moving and active during the darker, colder months. So our LeapFrog LeapTV was a welcome addition to a rainy weekend and we even had friends over to share the fun!

If you have ever tried using a gaming system with young children, it can be a challenge, especially to find something where they can understand the instructions (often written) and can stay engaged at their learning level.

So what is LeapTV?

Take a game that is focused on kids, with sports, characters and activities that kids enjoy, give it an easy to use controller and then mix in basic learning lessons in a fun way. While my Kindergarten age daughter played the dance game, she also worked on forming compound words, and picking out the "striped fruit" on the screen or the "longest fruit".

My favorite part is the kids can be active while learning and playing interactive games! Targeted for kids ages 3-8, there are currently 9 cartridge games to choose from and 100+ games and videos available by year-end.

Our LeapTV system came with a console, motion-sensing camera so the players can see them selves on the screen, a transforming controller, power adapter, HDMI cable and a camera mount so the camera could be placed on top of our TV.

We were also sent 2 games to try; LeapFrog Sports and LeapFrog Dance & Learn.

Set up was easy. In fact, my husband was thrilled that most of the account set-up could be done on his smart phone. We didn't have to do any awkward typing with the controller or have to find a computer to finish set-up. The easy-to-follow instructions had us go from box to playing in just a few minutes.

The transforming controller can go from a classic hand-held controller for easy button reach and finger toggle to a pointer with both ends stretched out.

Even better, for the dance games, only body movement is necessary, so younger kids can push buttons and select fruit without having to worry about selecting the correct button.

Another feature I loved was that beginning readers were given verbal cues and help, so no one at our party was left out. This is exactly the type of gaming program I have searched for for years. True story, my oldest has always wanted to play on family game nights, but when he was younger it was frustrating that there wasn't an age appropriate system. Luckily, now there is!

One aspect the kids really enjoyed was being able to watch themselves on the screen. Our only issue was for a larger party kids behind the camera had to remain still or they could could interfere with some of the actions. We ended up placing our small chairs around the sides of the room so our guests could take turns in the fun.

From soaring around and flapping their wings...

...to creating compound words for real things...

"The sun did not shine.

It was too wet to play.

So we sat in the house

All that cold, cold, wet day."

- Dr. Seuss

...well, until these Oregonians got their LeapTV and made the most of their blustery day!

Check out a video of some of the fun. LeapFrog LeapTV

You can pick up your own #LeapTV in time for Christmas, along with various games. Look for them wherever other LeapFrog products are sold. 

A Rainy Afternoon of Learning with the LeapFrog App Toys

*Disclaimer- I was provided free LeapFrog App Toys as a part of a promotional program with LeapFrog and MomSelect. All opinions and experiences are my own.

My daughter is counting down the days until she gets to ride the big yellow bus off to Kindergarten, just like her big brother. Till then I am trying to encourage her inquisitive mind and find projects and toys that will let her learn now.

LeapFrog is a brand we love in this house. I have purchased several of their products over the years and am always excited to see what their latest and greatest toys are. This year I think it is going to be all about the LeapFrog App Toys.

I was sent both the Creativity Camera Protective Case & App, as well as the Learn to Write with Mr. Pencil™ Stylus & Writing App. My daughter is very interested in photography since Mommy is almost always carrying around a camera. I knew the writing app would also be a big hit because we already own Mr. Pencil Saves Doodleburg for my son's LeapPad. 

Both toys are just part of the app. In fact, the app is free and will work without purchasing the toys, but the stylus and camera case unlock more activities  and fun for the child.

The Creativity Camera requires the addition of an iPhone or iPod touch to work. I downloaded the App from the App Store and was able to get it set up right away. Again, the app is free.

My iPhone nestled right into the protective camera case. There are instructions inside the case on which way to face the phone and a QR code inside to activate the extra games and activities that are only available for camera case owners.

There are several ways to use the App. You can use it to take pictures, you can also take portraits and outfit yourself or your subject with crazy hats, glasses and mouths. This is a picture of the baby. I liked this one so I saved it to my phone to share on social media channels.

My daughter loved taking pictures around the house and yard and then adding creative borders, stamps and other fun items.

Her favorite game was the augmented reality game (AR) where she had to catch the "Peek-a-Bugs" and then sort them by color. She has played this one over and over!

There is also a photo album activity where the child is prompted to find items that fit a letter or emotion for each page. My daughter enjoyed taking pics of herself showing the prompted emotion like "happy".

Yes, it does look large on my 4-year old's face, but remember, my iPhone is cleverly hidden in there.

My only complaint was the shutter button was hard for her to press. She usually defaulted to touching the screen on the back. Don't worry and little finger smudges, there is protective screen over the actual iPhone screen.

I set up the Learn to Write with Mr. Pencil Stylus and Writing App on the iPad. It can also be used on the iPhone or iPod touch, but I wanted her to have a larger writing surface, and am always hesitant to just hand over my phone to her.

The download for this is again free, and available at the APP store.It took a little longer to download this program.

I was really excited about this toy because my Kindergartener has horrible penmanship. I have purchased several books for him to practice writing, but he becomes bored quickly. In class he usually races through his work so he can draw on the backside of the paper. *Grrr...*

The game format and letter stroke order prompts worked for my 6-year old just as well as my 4-year old who is just starting to write.

The Mr. Pencil stylus is cute and easy for small hands to hold. I think this will really help both my kids practice drawing straight lines as well as basic shapes, letters and numbers.

These are two pieces of tech both my children enjoyed. They would make great additions to any 3-6 year old's Christmas list.

Who in your life would love a LeapFrog App Toy?