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Tablets for Kids: LeapPad3 Review

LeapPad3 review
 

Our original LeapPad is still going strong, so when I was given the opportunity to review the new LeapPad3 I thought it would be fun to see how much it has improved. I was impressed! The LeapPad3 is as durable as ever, but more responsive and faster with a better camera. It has built-in Wi-Fi that parents can turn on to download apps and track kids’ progress. The Wi-Fi can then be left on or turned off for while kids are using the tablet. I leave ours on, since the LeapPad3 has a child-safe search function that I really like. My kids are starting to want to look things up on the computer, but I haven’t found a filter that I completely trust for regular computer searches. On the LeapPad3 I can let my kids search away, knowing that they won’t find anything inappropriate. My kids are especially fond of the cat videos!
All of the apps that we have for our original LeapPad transferred over without any trouble. Like previous LeapPads, you are limited to LeapFrog apps, which you have to pay for. They do tend to be well-designed, and the tablet comes with enough apps to keep your kids busy so that you only need to buy extras if you want to. The camera is better (although there is still room for improvement there). It is nice to have a still and video camera that the kids can play around with, and they like that there is both a front and back camera. The LeapPad3 has a built-in battery, so no more worrying about having AA batteries (or about kids taking the cover off the batteries). The battery life seems pretty good – I haven’t timed it, but so far we are not charging it very often!

I took a little video to give you a better idea of how this tablet looks and works. As you can tell from Johnny begging for a turn, it is a big hit with all of the kids! If you are looking for a durable tablet with Have you ever owned a LeapPad? What do you look for when you are shopping for technology your kids can use?

This post is part of a sponsored campaign with LeapFrog and MomSelect. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Looking to buy a LeapPad3 for your kids?

MaryAnne is a craft loving educator, musician, photographer, and writer who lives in Silicon Valley with her husband Mike and their four children.

13 thoughts on “Tablets for Kids: LeapPad3 Review”

  1. You always deliver!! Can’t wait to get on for our 3 yr old. She is so hungry for learning experiences. Thanks for this!

  2. Great video review MaryAnne! Glad to see they upgraded the battery situation.
    Anna looks so cute holding it in the video :)

  3. Elisa | blissfulE

    Durability and safe search are both big issues for me in devices aimed at kids. Does the LeapPad allow browsing websies in general, or just youtube? I’m curious whether we’d be able to access online learning like EPGY or MOOCs.

    1. It doesn’t allow access to any outside sites (including youtube) – all of the content is pre-screened, which, unfortunately, seems to be the only way (with today’s technology, at least) to guarantee kid-safe content. It would be very cool if they could partner with a program like EPGY!

  4. My niece loves her LeapPad and maybe I’ll get this one as an upgrade. Question- does the LeapPad have a radiation blocking case? If not, maybe turn the Wi fi off while the kids use it to reduce radiation exposure.

    1. I couldn’t find any info on this, so I’m guessing the case does not block radiation. Good point about turning the Wi-Fi off when not needed for that reason – thanks!

  5. So, I just received an Asus Memo that I’m giving to my daughter. I’ve been downloading apps for her and trying to make it more kid friendly and less of a straight up tablet. This tablet looks pretty cool though.

  6. Krystyn @ Really, Are You Serious?

    My girls are trying out the LeapPad3, too. I like the safe kid-friendly videos, too!

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