Hot Toy: Get Your LeapPad Ultra From Mastermind Toys & CONTEST! (~OVER~)

The LeapPad Ultra Is a 2013 Hot Toy!

My kids were hugely excited, when a LeapPad Ultra kid's tablet showed up from Mastermind Toys on our front porch!  The LeapPad Ultra is a wireless learning and entertainment device targeted to kids aged 4- to 9-years old.  By wireless, I mean it can connect to internet (if a parent grants permission), and can run 11 preloaded games and apps (on board and downloadable), download new ones from the internet (paid service), or play LeapFrog Explorer cartridges.  (Leapster games are not compatible with the LeapPad Ultra.)  Of interest, you can track your child's learning progress via the LeapFrog Connect app.

Waiting Very Patiently to Try Out the LeapPad Ultra!

The LeapPad Ultra features a 7" high-resolution light-touch screen, front and back camera with video recorder, built-in 9 hour rechargeable battery, 8GB memory (can hold up to 40,000+ photos or 100+ game apps, eReader, MP3 player, peer-to-peer play (if parent enabled), motion sensor and art studio.  The Ultra is "kid durable" and has been drop-tested.  There is a library of 800+ educator-approved games, apps and more (most are paid).  An important feature of the device is a kid-safe wifi.

What's In the Box? LeapPad Ultra

As a parent, one of the greatest features of the LeapPad Ultra is its built-in rechargeable battery!  Electronic toys and games in our household quickly accumulate dead batteries, which requires a screwdriver, fresh batteries (and patience) to remedy the problem.  I love how the Ultra has 9 hours of battery life, and that the kids can continue to play it even while it's charging!  (Yes, the wall-charger is included, as is a connector from the Ultra to your computer's USB port.)

Powering Up the LeapPad Ultra

The LeapPad Ultra arrives with a charge, so eager kids (and their parents) can get set up right away!  Right away you can set up to 3 kids' profiles and quickly connect to your internet.  Parent-mode allows you to access a child-safe version of the internet, which means you are directed to the LeapFrog App Center.  When you initially connect to the internet, you can choose 1 of 3 games to download at no additional charge.  My kids chose the Sugar Bugs toothbrushing game, which they love.   

Learning Through Fun & Games With LeapPad Ultra

My five kids are aged from 3- to 8-years old, and each enjoys the LeapPad Ultra.  One of the first apps that they played with was the Voice Memo recorder, which they thought was a hoot!  They had a great time recording their talking and singing, and then playing it back to hear.  They also enjoyed the preloaded Pet app, which reminded me a bit of LeapFrog's Pet Pals game.  And the Art Studio Ultra app (drawing and painting) is also very popular in my household.  The Ultra comes with a stylus pen attached by a string, which stores in the back of the unit.

My 4-year old loves the preloaded music (comes with 10 songs), but is sorry that the Bookshelf app did not come with any books.  He also has a good time with the preloaded calendar, and my 7-year old daughter amuses herself with the notepad.  Any additional games, learning apps, music and videos can be purchased via the LeapFrog App Store (shortcut is preloaded into the Ultra).  Access the App Store either wirelessly, or by connecting the Ultra via USB to your computer.

LeapFrog App Center Download Cards

Use an App Center download card code to purchase apps, or purchase apps directly online without an app card.  Once the app has been purchased, simply connect the Ultra to your internet-enabled computer via the USB cable provided.  You will need the LeapFrog Connect free app installed to your computer to do this.  

Apps range in price from $5 to $30, and there are many like: Disney's Cars, Disney's Planes, Minnie Mouse, Sofia the First, Hello Kitty, My Little Pony, Barbie, Disney/Marvel Spiderman, Chuck and Friends, Phineas & Ferb, Doc McStuffins, Jake and the Never Land Pirates, Monsters University, Littlest Pet Shop, Thomas and Friends, Sesame Street, Clifford, Transformers and many more!  The apps feature very popular characters that will appeal to both boys and girls.

FREE LeapFrog Ultra Download Codes!
These two FREE LeapFrog Ultra download codes, below, will kickstart your device into gear!  (Working as of November 2013.)  Please comment if you downloaded successfully or otherwise.
1.The Book of Super Awesome Stuff (eBook):  5813-1140-1518-1413
2.Alphabet Stew (Word Game): 5813-0790-4610-4973

There's Lots of Great Games In the LeapFrog App Center

My 4-year old son is an avid Disney Cars fan, so I purchased the Cars 2 game ($30), the Cars 2 Expansion Pack to go with it ($7.50), Disney Planes Game ($10), and Disney's Greatest Hits Volume II ($10) as he loves music.  My son has played the Cars 2 game many times and really enjoys it!  

I purchased the apps from the LeapPad Download Center using the code from a download card, and then connected the LeapPad Ultra to my computer via USB to upload the app.  It was a very simple process, and when complete, the new app appears in the LeapPad Ultra's menu as a new icon.

If you like the idea of a child safe internet, then you will like the LeapPad Ultra.  There is no chance that your child will discover inappropriate content with this device.  The LeapPad Ultra would more appropriately be called an intranet device, as it only allows connection to the LeapFrog Connect app.  Content can only be purchased from LeapFrog (there is no free content), and you cannot add any photos, music or content from your home computer or the internet in general.

Buy the LeapPad Ultra (Green or Pink) From Mastermind Toys, $169.95!

The LeapPad Ultra is a fun and educational device that your child (or grandchild) will enjoy.  It won the Oppenheim Platinum Best Toy Award and is definitely on the SnyMed.com Hot Toys 2013 list!  Purchase the LeapPad Ultra from Mastermind Toys (choice of green or pink) for $169.95, and have it shipped to the special child on your list for Christmas!     

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CONTEST (~OVER~)

WINNER: Lori P.

WIN a LeapFrog LeapPad Ultra kid's tablet (in either green or pink, subject to availability) from SnyMed.com!  Contest open to Canada, and closes on Monday December 9th, 2013.   

How to Enter:

Leave a COMMENT below stating who you would like to win the LeapFrog Ultra for OR what was the best gift you ever received as a child for a Christmas or birthday present.  Then, use the entry form below to enter the contest.  GOOD LUCK!