LeapTV Gets Kids Moving and Learning | Inspiration Laboratories

Our friends at LeapFrog and Mom Select sent us the brand new LeapTV to review. They asked us to host a Leap into Gaming party with our friends to try it out. We were excited to participate! The LeapTV gets kids moving and learning as they play.

The All New LeapTV

The LeapTV is designed for kids ages 3-8. It uses a motion-sensing camera and/or a controller that’s just the right size for small hands. The games include math, reading, science, or problem solving. The games start with basic skills and then adjust to your child’s level. We got to experience LeapTV Sports which practices math skills and LeapTV Dance and Learn which practices reading skills.

There are 3 ways to play – the game tells you which way to use. There is a controller that allows you to play games like snowboarding. With a push of a button turn your controller into a pointer. Use it for games like baseball and bowling. The controller-based games require players to answer questions during the game.

The third way to play is using just the motion-sensing camera. Kids get to see themselves on the screen. They move their bodies to collect coins, hit shapes, make words, or complete dance moves. The Sports games use all three ways to play {depending on the game} while the Dance and Learn only uses the motion-sensing camera.

LeapTV Rope Climbing — Aiden is getting ready to start the Rope Climbing Game.

Step into the body outline to get started playing. Then listen to the directions on the screen for how to play. In the Rope Climbing game, players jump up and between ropes to collect coins. There are checkpoints where players have to choose the correct number. Then, they get to go jump some more.

In the Karate game, players have to virtually hit the correct shapes. Shapes fly in from all directions. Hit as many as you can before time is up! There are a total of 9 sports games including swimming, baseball, weightlifting, and more.

In Letter Moving with Tad and Lily, players have to choose the letter that looks wrong. Then, you dance around and touch stars on the screen.

There are a total of 9 dance games in the Dance and Learn. Aiden says his favorites are the 2 games with hamsters, Gadget and Bit. In Freestyle Freeze, players following the action verbs on the screen. Fly like a bird, spin around, wiggle, and then Freeze! Strike a pose. The action verbs are shown on the screen and Gadget and Bit dance with you. In Hamster High Five, players touch the cards the hamsters are holding on the screen to build words. Then, you dance around and high five the stars.

I like how there is a combination of movement activities that are scripted and those that are freestyle. Kids have the freedom to be creative while they are learning.

Check out the movie below to see the LeapTV in action. You’ll see Aiden doing the Doodle Dance with Dot and Dash. Gwyn is excited about making compound words. Aiden is busy rope climbing and practicing number recognition.

Party Time Snacks

A party is not complete without snacks! LeapTV sent us some snack suggestions. Here are the my versions of the recipes for LeapTV Turkey Roll-ups and Cousin Toad’s Cranberry Lemonade Punch. I also set out grapes, cheese cubes, and pretzels.

LeapTV Turkey Roll-Ups

Ingredients:

Cream Cheese
10-inch tortillas {they suggest whole wheat, but I went with my son’s favorite}
Shredded cheese {they suggest thinly sliced cheese}
Thinly sliced turkey lunchmeat

Directions:

Spread a thin layer of cream cheese on the tortillas.
Place a single layer of turkey on top of the tortillas.
Sprinkle some cheese on the top of the turkey.
Starting with the side closest to you, roll the tortillas up tightly. Trim off the ends.
Cut each tortilla into 6 or 8 slices.
Serve immediately or cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to eat.

Cousin Toad’s Cranberry Lemonade Punch

Ingredients:

Lemonade {I used a small/ 1.75L container of Simply Lemonade}
1 12 oz frozen cranberry blend concentrate, thawed {I used Old Orchard brand because it was 100% juice}
3-4 cups of water

Directions:

Add lemonade and cranberry blend concentrate to a pitcher.
Add 3-4 cups of water {This depends on how much you want to dilute the juices and how strong you want the flavors to be. The kids preferred the punch with a bit more water.}

More from LeapFrog

There are several other LeapTV games like Jake and the Neverland Pirates {practices math}, Sophia the First {practices reading skills}, Spiderman {practices reading skills}, Disney Pixar Pals {practices science skills}, and others. I’m excited to try out the Disney Pixar Pals to see what kinds of science fun they have planned.

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