LeapFrog Hops Into The Console Pond with LeapTV

If you are a parent or have young kids in your family the name LeapFrog is a name you know all to well.  LeapFrog picked up steam the last few years introducing new and innovative ways for children to learn. My wife and I have given numerous friends and family members My Pal Scout since every kid in our family we’ve given it to has benefited quite a bit.

LeapFrog is taking their product offerings a step further as they announced the LeapTV earlier today. The LeapTV will be the first educational, active video gaming system made just for kids 3-8. LeapTV combines learning and motion with three ways to play: body motion, pointer play and classic control, along with a library of over 100 educator-approved game cartridges, downloads, and videos.

The LeapTV announcement is great because kids won’t have to play with expensive tablets or hold their parent’s phones hostage to learn and be entertained.  The LeapTV is affordably priced at $149.99 and will be in stores this holiday season. Check out the pictures of LeapTV as well  the specs below:

Are picking up a LeapTV this holiday season? Share your thoughts in the comments

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EMERYVILLE, Calif. — July 15, 2014 — LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE:LF), the leader in children’s educational entertainment, today unveiled its first educational, active video gaming system, LeapTV™. Just like its no. 1 selling line of LeapPad children’s tablets, LeapTV is designed from the ground up specifically for children ages three to eight years old. This innovative new video game console system changes the way children learn by combining activity and movement with best-in-class educational curriculum.

With simple and intuitive user interfaces created with first time players in mind, LeapTV includes a unique transforming gaming controller that has been specifically designed for children’s small hands and limited dexterity.  In its regular configuration, it enables classic gameplay, but with the simple press of a button it easily transforms into a motion controller and LED pointer controller. The LeapTV system also features a motion-sensing camera that puts a child directly in the game and a unique console design that elegantly intergrates into most homes.

LeapTV’s extensive Learning Library for 2014 includes more than 100 fun video games and videos all developed or selected by LeapFrog’s in-house learning experts.

“It is shocking that less than one percent of the tens of thousands of video game titles are rated appropriate for children under the age of six years. We know that young children want to experience new ways to play through technology earlier than ever, but parents quickly discover that there are very few solutions that are developmentally appropriate or educational for young children,” said Dr. Jody Sherman LeVos, director of LeapFrog’s Learning Team. “At LeapFrog, we built LeapTV from the ground up to make it the best first video gaming experience for children. From the simple user interface to the innovative controller with a built-in ‘hint’ button and a world-class Learning Library all designed or approved by our Learning experts, LeapTV gets children’s minds and bodies moving while engaging in learning fun.”

Three Unique Ways to Play
The LeapTV video game system puts learning in motion with three ways to play: body motion, pointer play and classic control.

• Body Motion: Children become the star of their own game. The motion-sensing camera captures a child’s moves and instantly puts them into the game as they explore activities like dance and martial arts. Children can run, hop and tip-toe or wave their arms to defend goals, karate-chop fast-moving blocks, scuba dive and more.
• Pointer Play: Pointer play takes pretend play to new levels of engagement. The controller transforms into a pointer with a simple twist and lets kids snap jungle vines, slice through coconuts, swing from building to building and more.
• Classic Control: Classic control puts fun at a child’s fingertips. They can press the A and B buttons for fast-paced gaming, or tilt and shake the controller to sled through an enchanted garden or race in a classic kart-racing game.

Gaming Just Got Smarter
The LeapTV video game system gets kids into the action while teaching a range of skills across reading, mathematics, science and problem solving. LeapTV provides access to LeapFrog’s Learning Library of more than 100 game cartridges, game downloads and videos all designed or approved by LeapFrog’s team of gaming and learning experts. Unique to LeapFrog, the Learning Team includes a full-time in-house team of five learning experts, all with PhDs in various specialties including education, child development and educational psychology.

All LeapFrog games draw from 2,600 skills that address the whole child, including reading, math, science and creativity, and seamlessly blend LeapFrog’s comprehensive curriculum into age-appropriate gameplay and videos that keep children learning while having fun. With LeapTV, every child can learn and play in a way that is appropriate for them. Select games in the LeapFrog Learning Library adapt to each child’s level starting with age or level, and then automatically adjust the learning for just the right challenge.

“At LeapFrog, we strive to offer the best first experiences for children whether through our top-selling family of LeapPad tablets, the recently unveiled LeapBand activity tracker that encourages and rewards children for getting up and active, and now our incredible new educational, active video gaming system, LeapTV,” said John Barbour, chief executive officer at LeapFrog. “Our experiences engage, entertain and educate in a unique way where children are having fun while they learn. LeapTV is the perfect example of how we infuse learning through an innovative gaming experience, from exploring math while playing sports to learning how to read while dancing to fun music. In every way, LeapTV has been designed from the ground up, just for children.”

The LeapTV system includes console, motion-sensing camera, camera mount, transforming controller with wrist strap, HDMI cable, 16GB of memory and built-in Wi-Fi for downloads apps (sold separately).

Availability
The LeapTV system (MSRP $149.99, for children 3-8 years old) will be available online and at major retail locations holiday 2014. Game cartridges (MSRP $29.99, for children ages 3-8 years old) will be available online and at major retail locations, and downloadable games and apps (starting at MSRP $5.00 and up, for children ages 3-8 years old) will be available via the LeapFrog App Center. For more information, visitwww.leapfrog.com/leaptv.

*By the end of 2014.

About LeapFrog 
LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. is the leader in educational entertainment for children. For nearly 20 years, LeapFrog has created award-winning learning solutions that combine educational expertise, innovative technology and a child’s love for fun. With experiences that are personalized to each child’s level, LeapFrog helps children achieve their potential through LeapFrog’s proprietary learning tablets, learn to read and write systems, interactive learning toys and more, all designed or approved by LeapFrog’s full-time in-house team of learning experts. LeapFrog’s Learning Path, the ultimate guide for parents on early childhood, is designed specifically to help support and guide their child’s learning with personalized ideas and feedback, fun activities and expert advice. LeapFrog is based in Emeryville, California, and was founded in 1995 by a father who revolutionized technology-based learning solutions to help his child learn how to read. Learn more at www.leapfrog.com.

TM & © 2014 LeapFrog Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.

*Based on sales.[/showhide]