As our kiddos move into more of a technical world, it’s great to find companies who not only keep up with the times, but also offer affordable and durable products for the smaller hands in the family.  The LeapPad Ultra is a great, beginner tablet for kids that not only entertains, but educates kids as well.

LeapPad Ultra Review

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LeapFrog LeapPad Ultra Kids’ Learning Tablet – $149.00 (Great for Christmas!)

Features
• LeapPad™ Ultra is the 100% kid-perfect learning tablet that is built kid-tough with a 7″ hi-res screen and Wi-Fi with kid-safe Web.
• Kid-safe out of the box, LeapPad Ultra offers extra parental settings to easily control exactly what experiences a child can access.
• LeapPad Ultra works with LeapFrog’s library of 800+ apps, games, eBooks, videos, music and more.
• LeapPad Ultra includes 11 apps (onboard and downloadable): Photo Fun Ultra, Art Studio Ultra, Pet Pad Party, Utility Suite, Pet Chat and more.
• Features built-in rechargeable lithium ion battery, Wi-Fi, peer-to-peer play, front-and-back cameras, MP3 player and more. Ages 4 – 9 years.

Tablet Setup

The set up of this tablet is extremely easy. All you have to do is create or sign into your account and add your children’s information, and you’re ready to go. The LeapPad Ultra allows you to set up multiple kids on your account, that way the games and apps are geared toward your child’s specific age group.

Versatility

Not only can you play cartridge games on the Ultra as well as the pre-loaded or parent approved purchased apps, but your kids can interact with each other from one device to another with peer-to-peer play across WiFi.

Durability and Ease of Use

I like that the attached stylus is used with certain apps to help little ones learn how to write.  The large, high-resolution, 7 inch screen is extremely responsive which makes this learning tablet easy for little ones to use, however we did find it to be a bit heavy for smaller children (weighing in at just about 1.5 lbs!).  We know that it helps with the durability, so it’s not that much of an issue!

Battery Life

The 9 hour extended battery life is amazing compared to other tablets which is a plus on long trips.

Preloaded Apps

The tablet is preloaded with 10 fun apps for children, and it allows you to choose the 11th app for free as well.  It does not have an overlay, therefore it is strictly for LeapPad application use.

Additional Apps

The apps aren’t cheap (We’re used to $0.99 apps on my Android devices!). Remember, though, the apps you’re purchasing are for educational purposes, and a higher price can be good as long as it’s helping your child learn. The more expensive apps and eBooks are the ones with our favorite Disney friends, but LeapFrog also has apps with characters from VeggieTales, Bubble Guppies, Scooby Doo, and SpongeBob – and of course Tad and Scout, too! (I even noticed some Getting Ready for Kindergarten and I Spy games!)

Final Verdict

Overall, I think this is a great buy for little ones between the ages of 4 and 9, and we’ve even introduced it to our two year old Minion (and our 2 year old niece has one as well).  There weren’t really any cons to outweigh the pros for us to be persuaded not to recommend this product.

The LeapFrog LeapPad Ultra Kids’ Learning Tablet has so much value at such a great price. It has everything your little one needs to get the educational experience you’re looking for in a tablet.

* I was provided a sample of the LeapPad Ultra through a review program. The opinions expressed are my own.