I am about to buy my daughter her gift for her upcoming birthday? What did you kid like most or what has been your experience between handheld consoles for ages 5-7? I know there is Leapster and a Nintendo version? What is your thoughts and your opinion on which to get and why? Thanks in advance!! I would like the easiest for her to use and most fun games and quality for items of what would sway me one way or another!!!
My kids outgrew the leapsters by the time they were in kindergarten. I would go with the 3DS.
I think it is hysterical that my daughter plays her DSI with the boys in the subdivision.
My 6 yr old daughter has a DS lite. It's pink, and it is at times, a life saver. She loves it and it keeps her entertained when I need it. It comes with the original super mario bros, and it alone is one of the best and easiest games. No need to buy numerous games!
I bought the Leapsters years ago. I am unhappy with how quickly the games became worn and how much they go through batteries. The games are rather expensive and they don't go on sale very often. They also do not have much to choose from. Mine are old, outdated, very few games work anymore etc. I'm about to dump them in a box and take them to the thrift store.
I don't know much about Nintendo. I would assume things are similar.
If you could afford it, I'd get the nook color and just be strict with how and where she uses it. The books are only averaging 99 cents! They are interactive too. The applications are aprox 4.99. How could a person go wrong? At 250-299 for the device it's an investment. But it's one well worth it for her education and yours :) It's a device that everyone can use.
I agree with the others - by 5-6 they outgrow the Leapster. It is a great console for younger kids. My first choice after that is the IPOD TOUCH - it does so many things and by this age they know more than us about using them! The initial cost might be a determining factor. When I bought it I also got a "shade" so it's light and protects the entire Ipod and easy/cheap enough to change colours as you like. Lots of free games and 99c games, music, videos etc. My boy originally wanted a Nintendo 3D DS but he now uses my IPOD touch. It's small and light and I carry it anywhere, you can even read Kindle books. I think we've all used it enough to warrant the outlay. Also when I researched I found the battery on the Nintendo runs down a lot faster than on the Ipod - which is especially useful to consider for airplane travel as Whitney pointed out.
The teenagers still play with their DS/DSI or whatever level they got last. My college aged stepson got back into Pokemon recently. If you think she'll keep track of the games, etc. then they seem to hold up pretty well.
My DD has already lost things that go with her leappad thing that my mom got her and we end up reading the books without the accessories anyway.
My son loves his Nintendo XL. Before that he had a DS Lite, which was nice too--just a smaller screen.
My kids out grew lapser.. My 5 yr old and 8 yr old love nintendo dsi. Also google gamestop. Store we buy used video games for a really good price.. And can sell games the kids grow out of.. They also know at gamestop what games are good for each age.. They have warrentys too.
L.
My daughter has had an iTouch since she was 5 (she's 7 now). She still absolutely loves it! Just buy a nice protective case and it will be durable. There are limitless free apps and when you want to pay for one it's only $1.00 -$2.00 not $50! We absolutely love it. It's small so it can easily go into my purse or my husband's pocket. There's an airplane mode so it can be used during travel. I definitely recommend it!
nintendo ds is best choice, small, lots of games etc
may also want to look into ipod touch
