Kiddie Tablets: Let's Compare the Leapfrog LeapPad Explorer and the VTech InnoTab

LilSugar

Source: Kiddie Tablets: Let's Compare the Leapfrog LeapPad Explorer and the VTech InnoTab

The iPad may be top on Mama's holiday wish list this year, but there's a good chance it's on her tot's too! Kids can't keep their hands off the tablets, leading two of the largest educational games manufacturers to create tot-friendly versions this year. I told you about the LeapFrog LeapPad Explorer ($100) when it first hit the market this Fall, and now I just finished playing around with the VTech InnoTab ($79) and can't help but compare the two units. Similarly priced, they are both designed for kids 4 to 9 years old, both run on four AA batteries (or, better yet, burn through them), and both are designed to educate as lil ones interact with their favorite characters. Though neither device runs as fast as an iPad (and neither offers a WiFi option), gadget-oriented kids can't put them down. See how the two hot holiday gift items compare!

Screen size Both learning tablets have five-inch color touch-screen LCD display screens, though the InnoTab's appears to be more responsive to the finger touch than the LeapPad, which worked better with the included stylus.

Gadget size

  • LeapPad: The gadget's screen is surrounded by one inch of casing to protect it from drops and spills.

  • InnoTab: The product's screen comes packaged in a case that provides a two-to-four-inch border around the gadget, giving tots more room to hold it than its competitor. It is almost the same size as the iPad.

Activities and Games

  • LeapPad: The tablet comes with four free apps - Art Studio, Story Studio, Pet Pad, and one of your choice - to entertain tots. Additional cartridge games are $25 with downloadable apps ranging from $5-$25.

  • InnoTab: The tablet's PDA-like capabilities - a calendar that allows tots to plan their days and add in stickers, a clock to help learn to tell time, a stopwatch for timing kids, a world globe, etc. - are both fun and educational. They also give kids a sense of independence, turning to their devices for information much like mom and dad. The system also comes with an Art Studio. Additional cartridge games are $25 with downloadable apps costing between $5 and $8.



More from LilSugar: What to Expect (For the Holidays) When You're Expecting



Learning Apps

  • LeapPad: Given the educational basis behind all of LeapFrog's products, the company's learning apps included with the system are spectacular. The new Ultra eBooks not only reads stories to kids, but should tykes select individual words, the system sounds them out. It also automatically adjusts the reading level of the books to the child's ability, based on their progress. Portions of books are animated and games are built into them as well.

  • InnoTab: Filled with familiar characters, the system's ebooks features narration, character voices, and highlighted vocabulary where specific words are highlighted and proper pronunciation is offered via audio. A dictionary included with each book helps tots increase their vocabulary, and interaction with the stories' characters helps promote reading comprehension.

Camera capabilities

  • LeapPad: A built-in camera and video recorder can be used on their own or in conjunction with other apps to create storybooks and videos that can be shared once the tablet is connected to a computer.

  • InnoTab: VTech's Kidizoom camera ($40) attaches to the InnoTab to give the tablet a photography and video capability - it is not included with the system. Previously taken photos and videos can be loaded into the system via a USB cord and used in the Art Studio.



More from LilSugar: Real Parent Gift Guide: All These Celebrities Want For The Holidays. . .



Storage

  • LeapPad: With 2GB of memory, the LeapPad has plenty of space to store images, videos, downloaded games, and more.

  • InnoTab: With 64MB onboard memory, the InnoTab has an SD card slot for memory expansion.

Compatibility With Previous Versions

  • LeapPad: All Leapster Explorer games and cartridges are compatible with the LeapPad.

  • InnoTab: Previous VTech games and cartridges do not work with the InnoTab.

Which do you prefer? Share your favorite products, toys, and trends with other parents! Start sharing your opinion on millions of must haves for your tots in our Product Reviews group!



Related Content:
Leapfrog to Introduce First iPhone App With Scout's ABC Garden
How Far Would You Go to Get the Hottest Toys This Season?
10 Great Gift Ideas For New Dads


Follow LilSugar on Twitter
Become a Fan of LilSugar on Facebook