Leapster 2 or Leapster Explorer.

We got the Leapster 2 when my boy was almost 4, he is now 6. The Leapster Explorer is the latest version. They use different game cartridges. The Leapster2 and LeapsterMax use the same cartridges so you can play LeapsterMax cartridges on Leapster2. You can find used cartridges on Ebay etc for cheaper. The Leapster has been invaluable in reinforcing maths, reading and spelling for our son. He was way ahead of his age group. He is now 6, and has outgrown the games somewhat. In saying that, I just got an Ipod Touch which is a big hit - with a similar experience as Jami G who was very informative. I do think an Ipad/Ipod Touch is great but it's easier for them to inadvertantly push the screen or home button and then you have to get it back to where they were - just a personal opinion, I guess they would learn over time. I do want an Ipad though. I think at 3 you want them to be able to maneuver around things themselves and Leapsters are great. The stylus (pen) is a good feature for them to gain more co-ordination. It is rugged. Thumbs up for Leapfrog full stop.

I thought my son was too young for a ds as well and totally decked him out with the leapster 2, games, charger etc for Christmas one year and he didnt like it at all!!!! So I ended up selling it on craigslist for about half of what i spent on everything (which wasnt that far off from the ds lite) they have nerf case protectors that should help with the drops as long as he isnt chucking it down stairs or anything. My daughter also showed no interest in the leapster and kept stealing her brothers ds so we bought her the little dora learning games etc. with her being so young if she was playing it she couldnt carry it around, it was in the car, or she was on the couch. have you looked at craigslist for a used ds?

Our 5 yo. twins have Leapster Explorers and they love them. They do have pens attached. If you go to Toys R Us or Target, sometimes they will have them set up so that you can experiment a little and see the difference. Also, if you go to Leapfrog.com you can click on demos and see what each one can do. I just went to the site and noticed the Lpstr Expl. got a Toy of the Year award 2011.

I was right where you are this past December. We bought our 5 year old her 1st DS and passed down the Leapster to our 3 year old (she had just turned three 2 months prior to X-Mas). The little one wanted NOTHING to do with the Leapster and kept wanting turns with the DS. Being the suckers that we are, we rushed out the day after X-Mas and bought another DS. We are happy with our decision. Both the kids are able to play them and there re no arguments. Plus they will be able to use them for years to come. If you buy one of the Leapsters, you will get some use out of it, but will still end up buying the DS at some point. Plus the games you buy can be shared between the kids. We have yet to have a lost game or anything break and we do not have the protective covers. Our girls do not use them all that often, but great for traveling or going out to eat. Good luck!

my daughter got the Leapster Explorer for Christmas and she loves it! She's 4 and it's great for long car trips to visit Grandma, or keeping her entertained in the grocery store.

My daughter is 4 and she loves her Explorer. Most of the games for the Explorer are for ages 4+. I don't know if he would be able to play the games at 3 years old. I've noticed that most of the games involve Math or Reading of some sort.

It is extremely rugged though. I would recommend getting the charging station. The game system eats through batteries fairly quickly.

I am assuming you are wanting the Leapster because of the durability. We have the Leapster 2 and it is very rugged. It has a pen attached too. So does the regular Leapster. You can drop it and there is really no damage. The games are expensive though. My son has had the DSi since he was 3 and he has a Nerf cushion for it in case he drops it. Since getting the DS, he doesn't play the leapster. I would also recommend purchasing online at CL for a leapster. The games are so expensive and really you could purchase a huge lot of them for a small price if you buy used. I haven't used the leapster explorer, but it looks cool cause you can make it into a camera. Definitely don't go with an iXL though. My daughter dropped hers once and it didn't work again.

Added: If you aren't worried about durability and if you have the funds, you can't beat the iPad. I go to teachers blogs and the like to find out the best age appropriate educational games/downloads. They have a letter/number tracing app, they have sight words, adding and subtracting, going to school, pattern matching, etc. that I downloaded all for FREE. I get books that read to them. I hardly ever purchase an app and if I do it is usually 1.99. I have the lowest model and they are making better screen protectors just for kids. One is a Cars theme. When you look at a leapster/DS/anything game you will be dropping a ton of money on the games. 25-30 a pop. What happens if you lose those?? If you delete the one off your iPad, it can still be stored on your home computer. You can also have movies on it for him too and use it for yourself for quick internet wherever there is WiFi. My kids have the cheapest iPad and it has more than paid for itself. Plus, your older daughter can use it too.