LilSugar

LeapFrog's Zippity Brings Full-Body Gaming to Preschoolers

LilSugar — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 07:00:11 -0700

Dance Dance Revolution sparked a worldwide rhythm and dance craze when it launched in Japan a decade ago. Since then, game console manufacturers like Nintendo and Sony have created dozens of videos merging exercise and gaming for adults and teens alike. With the Zippity Learning System ($80), LeapFrog delivers the concept to the preschool set.

The TV-based gaming system brings some of The Disney Channel's most popular characters – like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Little Einsteins, Winnie the Pooh and Handy Manny – to combine upper- and lower-body movements with educational concepts.

To see what we liked about the Zippity system and what left us wondering, read more.

The Zippity system allows kids to choose from eight games that either use an interactive mat for lower-body movement or a waist-high joystick for upper-body activity. The games, such as a Mickey Mouse version of Simon Says and a Handy Manny version of song creation, encourage number, shape, directional and color recognition. While some of the games are more movement-oriented than others, they all do encourage the participant to be active. The great graphics and variety of games are perhaps the best features of the system, as lil ones can work on several different skills throughout their play. Each game has two levels of play, meaning the system is designed to grow with them – but we found that a 3-year-old was already well-advanced for the first level of most of the included games, leaving us wondering just how long he would be able to play with a set geared toward 3-6-year-olds.

School Year's Resolutions: Toys For Early Learners

LilSugar — Wed, 19 Aug 2009 07:00:00 -0700

Not every child is heading back to school in the coming weeks. But tots a tad too young to join the preschool mayhem are just as eager to learn. Help expand their manipulative and cognitive skills with some shiny new items in their toy box. Manufacturers are introducing several new gadgets this time of year specifically designed for the early learner set. Take a look at a few of our favorites that will keep your lil one engaged.

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Toys to Extend Preschool Learning

LilSugar — Thu, 11 Jun 2009 06:00:17 -0700

Preschool's out for Summer, but, it's an optimal time to continue the play-based learning the tykes experience in the classroom. Take a look at some of our favorite toys that stimulate young minds.

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Awesome Toys For Older Tots

LilSugar — Wed, 13 May 2009 15:00:00 -0700

Your kids might be growing up, but even the coolest seven to 10-year-olds still like to play with toys. They may have areas of interest they focus on more than others, but new things still grab their attention. Check out some of our favorite items for this age group.

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Tech Toys That Foster Children's Creativity

LilSugar — Wed, 06 May 2009 15:00:53 -0700

The promise of warm weather and sunny skies may be upon us, but if you are living on either coast of the nation right now, you are little more than a wet rag with all of the rain we have received. Though swing sets and parks may be beckoning, the current forecast has kept many of us indoors. There are a number of new tech products on the market that will keep your lil ones flaunting their creativity and unaware of the fact that they have been cooped up for the past few days. Take at look at some of our favorites.

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Game On! How Video Games Can Be Beneficial

LilSugar — Tue, 28 Apr 2009 04:00:12 -0700

Video games have become nothing short of ubiquitous, and try as we might, it is becoming harder and harder to keep them out of lil one's hands. While almost every toy company claims there are educational benefits to its games, some actually do help tots grow and develop necessary motor skills.

Several elementary video game consoles, such as the V.Smile TV Learning System ($50) and the Leapster2 Learning Game System ($60) feature games that aid in developing math, spelling, and writing skills. Their handsets and styluses help develop motor skills and hand-eye coordination that will be used for a lifetime to come. Seeing the immediate cause and reaction is gratifying to kids and allows them learn how to adjust their actions in the future. As tots grow older, the games and systems grow more sophisticated in their ability to be customized to work on a child's learning needs and allow parents to track their progress. Before you know it, your lil gamer will need his or her own iPhone.

Do you allow your wee ones to play video games, and if so, have you found them to be helpful?

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Wee TV: LeapFrog Letter Factory

LilSugar — Tue, 17 Mar 2009 10:00:55 -0700

Try as they might to keep their tots away from the boob tube, every mama needs a few minutes to herself to make a phone call, check Facebook or just chill out. Rather than put your preschooler in front of a dancing monster or singing tomato, try introducing him to some pre-reading concepts that will help prepare him for a major developmental milestone.

The LeapFrog Letter Factory DVD has been praised by parents, educators and speech therapists for its fun, yet educational approach to teaching phonics. Tots familiar with the LeapFrog toys will love seeing Tad, Leap and Lily walk through the alphabet singing cute little songs for each letter. The tunes teach preschoolers the proper pronunciation of each letter and encourage viewers to sing along. Educators like it for its ability to teach letter recognition and speech therapists have told me they like the pronunciations used by the characters.

LeapFrog Text and Learn: Kid Friendly or Are You Kidding?

LilSugar — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 09:00:00 -0800

Like momma, like child? Mamas already told us how much they rely on their mobile phones and BlackBerrys when at home and on the playground, but leave it to the folks at LeapFrog to create a tot-friendly version of the technology for your lil-one. The Text & Learn, which is set to hit stores this Summer, allows mini-mes to exchange text messages with the device’s mascot, Scout, check his planner and play with a pretend browser. The toy also features spelling and basic computer skills games on the life-like toy.

Will the Text & Learn make its way into your wee one's hands?

The Gifted Child: 4-Year-Olds

LilSugar — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 05:00:23 -0800

Preschoolers are quite an ambitious group. They spend their days at school being the line leader or napkin passer, and then come home to demonstrate their ability to complete tasks with less oversight. At this age, they are often rewarded in knowing that they finished a project on their own, rather than with applause or treats. Encourage this independence with gifts that allow them to work by themselves with minimal parental involvement.

Among our choice gifts for preschoolers are:

Big Wheels were big when I was this age and they are back! Kids spent most afternoons tearing through the neighborhood on their sets of Big Wheels, and I can't wait for my children to do so, too.
Designed for children ages 4 to 8, the LeapFrog TAG Reading System features a stylus with a camera in its tip that “reads” the letter, words, and symbols on the pages of the 16 books in its library, including favorites like Chicka Chicka Boom Boom, The Little Engine that Could, and Olivia.
If your lil one insists on dressing herself, she will love the eeBoo Paper Dolls. Each set comes with two multicultural dolls, background scenes, and magnetic clothing that can be mixed and matched to ensure that the doll is properly dressed for each occasion.
Help your budding A-Rod perfect his swing with the Fisher Price ESPN Better Batter Baseball. The t-ball-like toy plays ESPN music each time a ball is loaded into it.
Another childhood classic that has been updated for today's preschooler, Lite Brite allows kids to experiment with color and light to create masterpieces on four sides at one time.
A fun and fast-paced take on Bingo, Zingo will have your tot begging for family game night to begin.

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The Gifted Baby: One-Year-Old

LilSugar — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 10:00:29 -0800

One-year-olds are on the move! Whether they are already walking or on the verge, their increased confidence makes them inquisitive of the world around them. When shopping for gifts for tots seek out toys that help them explore their surroundings. Here our some of our favorite picks!

A wooden pull along toy like the Quack Pack Pull Along Toy from Apple Pie that wiggles as the toddler pulls it on its way.
A five-in-one activity cube like the Busy Body Cube from BabyStyle, which features mazes, beads, magnets, clocks and puzzles to keep lil ones entertained for at least a few minutes!
The LeapFrog Fridge DJ introduces numbers, letters and popular children's songs while displaying the characters on its screen. Best of all, it attaches to any magnetic surface, so it can entertain babes while their parents complete kitchen tasks.
Melissa and Doug's line of large knobbed puzzles are a great introduction to puzzles and can help lil ones stay put for a few minutes at a time.
Bring out the athlete in your toddler with the Little Tikes Little Champs Sports Center. The perfectly sized basketball hoop is a great way to introduce a variety of sports.
Push toys encourage tikes of all walking abilities to get up and go, which is why I love this BabyStyle Wooden Jeep. Made of natural rubber wood and featuring rugged tires, the car can be used inside and out.

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