Today is a themed WFMW: Toys That Are Actually Worth Buying. And it couldn’t come at a better time: just when we’re gearing up for the holidays.
The item I’d like to propose as actually worth buying is the Leap Frog Didj Handheld gaming system. Yeah, it’s a gaming system, BUT it’s an educational gaming system. Depending on which game(s) you purchase, your child an work on her spelling and language or her math.
My daughter has a Didj and one game, Star Wars: The Clone Wars. The game itself is just like a video game, but when she comes to critical junctures, she has to solve a math problem to move forward. So far, this is the only game we have, but I plan to buy the Nancy Drew game so we can also work on her spelling words. I’ll be able to type in her weekly spelling words and those will be integrated with the Nancy Drew game. How cool is that? I wonder if she’ll even know she’s studying…
The Didj is for children ages 6-10. My daughter is 8 and my son is 10. Both have enjoyed playing with the Didj. If you’re considering buying one as a holiday present, here is the important part: the Didj is $89, the games are $29. I receive e-mail a few times a month with coupons for games. Two frustrations: 1) My daughter says the games are savable and she has to keep repeating some tasks. I’m not sure about this because I haven’t bothered to re-create it. Sorry. 2) The Didj re-charger is sold separately and the web site didn’t list a price. You can buy an AC adapter for $10 or use one you have, though, and you’ll be fine. So, really, neither of these frustrations is a deal-breaker for me.
The thing that is most interesting to me and drew me to the Didj is the Learning Path. From the Leap Frog people: The Learning Path is a free online tool which allows you to actually see what your child is working on with her LeapFrog toys. Just set up an account, plug in your Didj often, and the Learning Path will give you detailed information on particular skills engaged and progress made, e.g., "your child worked on CVC-e words today, and got 90% of the questions right."
So that’s my contribution to the Toys Actually Worth Buying theme. If you have a chance to try a Didj, do.
While you’re here, I want to point out two other options for your holiday buying needs. Instead of hitting up the tired old department stores, why not buy from home-based or smaller businesses? The Bloggy Giveaways Holiday Discount Guide and the Mom-Preneurs Shop-A-Thon page at Tip Junkie list many great vendors with excellent products that are off the beaten path. Check them out before you brave the crowds at the mall. What is better than shopping online while sipping your coffee or tea and just chillin’?
Please don’t forget to check out the other WFMW posts at Rocks In My Dryer.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
My kids had Leapsters and they liked them, but it was hard to find games that didn’t feature licensed characters. My problem with that is that sometimes kids “outgrow” the character, but not the concept of the game. Then they don’t want to play the game because it is “Dora” or such. I wonder if Didj is the same way?
I think Didj could be that way to an extent. However, they have the ages on the games (e.g., didj is 6-10 yrs) and the licensing ties in to the ages. I also think they’ve done a fair job of making the characters fairly interesting to those broad age ranges (e.g., Nancy Drew or Foster’s Home for Imaginary Friends are both something my child has been interested in over the years).
Chilihead
These sound so cool. My kids are ready for the big gun game systems, so this may be perfect!
ooh, nice review! I saw these at Costco (one of the few times I ventured in, the place gives me a headache!) and I am planning on buying it for sure for my dd6, but I am on the fence for ds9..he has moved into the ‘gaming’ stage and I was thinking he would prefer the nintendo ds…but I like the academic part of the Didj. Hmmm, the Clone Wars game my reconcile him. I did not know about the online feature, very cool.
thanks for sharing this.
I stumbled across this blog while trying to find information on Didj charger’s. We bought these gaming systems for my 7 year old son and my 8 year old step-daughter as Christmas gifts. My son was obsessed with the DS but I really didn’t want to get him one. My step-daughter has a DS at her mom’s. Anyway, my son is thrilled with the Didj and hasn’t been able to put it down; my step-daughter says she likes it even better than the DS! I love the idea that I don’t have to restrict the amount of time that they play because they are learning and at this rate, my son will know all the times tables well before 3rd grade. I highly recommend this to anyone on the fence about purchasing one, you will not be disappointed. And thanks to the blogger, my kids were running through batteries like water and I didn’t think to try any old AC adapter…I dug a couple out and sure enough, they work. Thank you!
i bought a didj this christmas for my 8 year old daughter, she is very happy. Problem is i can’t get it to work. I have a mac and i successfully installed the application, but when i connect the handheld to the computer, nothing happens!! its reads “Download in progress” “Do not disconnect” FOR OVER 45 MINUTES!. Anyone, please advice.