Disclosure: If you make a purchase through the links posted below, I may receive a small compensation. Read the full disclosure.
I know a lot of moms have trouble deciding between the LeapPad and the iPad. L has (and uses) both, so I thought I would do a little comparison.
iPad:
Pros:
~Tons of free / inexpensive apps. Most of L’s apps are free. I think the most we have ever paid for an app for him is like $4.99.
~Can easily download songs, movies and tv shows. So many movies now come with codes for iTunes downloads with the purchase of the DVD, so it’s super super to load them.
~Eliminates the need for an in-car dvd player or portable dvd player. If you can watch movies on your iPad, why do you need anything else?
~Has a ton of memory. Smallest iPad has 16GB. The LeapPad2 has 4GB.
~It grows with them. You won’t outgrow your iPad!
Cons:
~It’s expensive. Even the mini is what, $329? The smallest iPad2 is $399 and the newest iPad will set you back $499.
~It’s easily breakable. Although, I gotta say, L has had his (my old one – it’s the original iPad) for 2+ years and hasn’t broken it yet (knock on wood).
~If you get your kid an iPad now, what are you going to do when they get older?
LeapPad:
Pros:
~The initial cost is much more reasonable. I mean $99 compared to $329?
~It’s sturdier. L has dropped his LeapPad numerous times (without a case on it) and it doesn’t have a scratch on it.
~You are in control. Since you can’t get on the internet, you don’t have to worry about your kid ending up on some crazy site or downloading things you don’t know about!
Cons:
~The games are expensive. OMG, L wanted some new games a few weeks ago and since he hadn’t gotten any in a while, I agreed. 4 games set me back $35 (it was buy 3 get 1 free) and I made him pick the cheap ones!
~It takes batteries. I *think* the LeapPad2 comes with a charger, but I find that we change the batteries fairly often in ours.
~No movies. If you want to watch something in the car or on an airplane, you’ll need a separate device.
So which ones is better? Who knows? L likes both of his, but for sure uses the iPad more. For sure. It’s a life saver on long car rides up-north. Do your kids have either? Both? What do you think?
My youngest is 4 (almost 5) and has an iPad. It was my husband’s iPad 2 and he played with it so much that my husband never got to, LOL!! So, we gave the iPad 2 to him and my husband got the iPad 3. YES, it was expensive, and NO, I do not regret it!! Nothing else compares once you have the iPad!! Just like L, he get free games most of the time and the occasional game that costs $$, but never more than a few dollars. He uses Netflix, etc. on it, as well as drawing games. He has 2 older sibling in sports and the iPad has been a lifesaver when we are at games, practices, etc. Now, he will always put the iPad down in favor of going outside to play, but that’s not always possible. I know some parents have looked at me like I’m crazy to let him have an iPad, but whatever, it works for us!! Plus, he has dropped it several times (HARD) and nothing has happened to it. I know it only takes one time, but that iPad has taken a beating, LOL!!
L’s takes a beating too!!!
I bought an iPad last summer for myself, it quickly turned into an iPad for my son. Earlier that year for his 4th birthday I got him the Nintendo 3DS that has games, netflix and apps, too. He loves them both but uses the iPad more frequently. He will play all sorts of educational and fun games on his iPad and it is really handy in the car and at appointments etc to keep him entertained. The 3DS was about 175.00 and so that is obviously cheaper than the iPad, but I don’t wish I would of only bought one. They both fit easily into my purse for on the go, both have car chargers, and both offer different types of experiences. You are right on with the “grow with them” concept and I haven’t gotten to try out the movie codes that come with the DVD’s yet but only because I never buy the ones with the code.
I was totally rambling. LOL but that is my opinion. Love the iPad.
My daughter has an iPad (she’s 11, ahem) and it has some kind of super industrial strength case on it. She has dropped it many times and it’s never suffered any damage. Supposedly you can drive over it, but we won’t be testing that!
My mom was thinking about getting my younger girls (3 & 6) each a LeapPad2, & I know they’d love them, but it is still a pretty big investment, & how long will they use them? My husband has the original iPad & I’m sure it’s only a matter of time before he upgrades, so…I don’t know?
Thanks for this comparison. I have a 16 month old boy and I want to avoid gaming devices at all costs. I have an iPad 3 right now which the boy likes to look at for about 10 seconds before getting bored and moving on. I hope we can stick with iPad or other Apple devices because in the end I think it will save us money (apps are so much cheaper that gaming system games).
The apps are SO much cheaper than for the LeapPad!
We got an iPad 2 for the kids for Christmas. I like the free apps, and our local school uses iPads to teach, so it was a no-brainer for me. I also like that after they go to bed, *I* can play on it and do my own stuff.
I also got the military-grade case. It can withstand drops onto concrete from 6 ft, sandstorms, being dropped into water… I figured that was the best way to go!
Thanks for this comparison! I’ve been thinking of getting some sort of device for my daughter for Christmas. She plays with my mother in laws iPad all the time and it has been a lifesaver at restaurants and on trips. I’m pregnant with #2 so I know whatever we get will get handed down or shared eventually. I’m wondering if anyone has an iPad mini and if its similar enough or if its just worth it to get the full size one??