Wednesday, May 21, 2008

Need Birthday Present Ideas...

My girls will be 3 (three! already?!?) next week.

I want to get each of them some kind of portable learning game as a bday present and want opinions on what is best for their age and/or, for those of you with older kids, what your kids liked at this age.
I am considering a couple of LeapFrog products:

My First LeapPad is for their age range, but seems kind of limited as far as what it does.
Leapster is for ages 4 and up. The learning activities seem more interesting but I'm wondering if it is too sophisticated for them...

Any other brands/ideas would be appreciated.
I will be taking a 10 hour car ride with them and my mom this summer so I definitely need something besides DVDs to keep them busy!

6 comments:

Cheryl said...

Hey Julie - THREE already?? OMG! Weren't they just born last week?!?!

I think you just have to look at each product and see what the age recommendations are. I think they're pretty too. We don't have a leapster but I've heard good things about it.

I think I'm getting Sage a bike for her birthday (now that Sawyer finally decided YESTERDAY to ride the bike we got him for xmas). Not that that would help you on a 10-hour car ride.

DH took both kids on a trip almost that long and just did DVDs. You could maybe get them some lacing cards to keep them busy.

They're old enough to play some rousing games of "I Spy" while you're driving.

I wish I was more creative! Are you having a party for them?

Julie said...

They LOVE "I Spy". That's a great idea for the road trip.

Do they even make lacing cards anymore? I would love to get them some of the "old-fashioned" (*gulp*) games that I grew up with.

We are having a kiddie party for them at a local children's museum. The kids are mostly the children of moms I have met through my twin moms club. They are SO excited about their birthday and their party. My goodness! What a difference from last year when they didn't have a clue! LOL.

Cheryl said...

That party sounds like fun! Still trying to decide what to do for Sage. Guess I have a little more time to think about it!

And yes, you can still find lacing cards. You need to go to some of the more upscale toy stores, tho. Or you can scrounge around online. Also, do you have those doodle pro things? They make them in smaller sizes and the girls and draw and erase, draw and erase, etc.

Kristy said...

Julie -- Santa brought Cole a Leapster for Christmas (he was 3 and a half) and I really thought he was wasting his money because it would be too sophisticated. Turns out, I was wrong! He is a champ on that thing! We really liked the Thomas and Backyardigan games.

One word of advice: make sure they are proficient on them before the 10 hour car ride! At first, we did experience some frustration as he learned how to play. But, after a couple of weeks, he was playing for an hour at a time.

Amy said...

Did you make a decision Julie? I also want to get the kids a reading system too, but likely for Christmas instead. I believe they will be getting three-wheeled scooters for their birthday as that is the first thing they have kept repeatedly asking for. They do make lacing cards. Usually have to go to a teaching supply store or website though. I have two cardboards sets I picked up at garage sales and I also get a really nice woodent set at one too.

Melissa said...

Hi Julie!

I'm sure you've already read my overly long review of the LeapCompany product at SheKnows. :) YES they still make lacing cards. Greg and Ashley love them. We bought ours at TRU, they're made by Melissa and Doug. They have two different kinds, animals and street signs. You can also buy them at teacher supply stores if you have one near you.