Tech toys for Christmas.

We are a tech heavy family here, what with the phones, PCs, laptops and so on. The younger children will be getting extra games for their leappads (Smallest uses the

LeapFrog LeapPad 3 – Green, while Tigerboy has last year’s ultra model). They’ve used the tablets for some time now, and I’m very pleased at how well they’re holding up, having been dropped etc. The only tiny issue we’ve had with them so far (crosses everything!) is that Smallest punctured the tip on her stylus, and as it’s tied to the tablet it’s kind of difficult to replace. She uses her finger though, and that seems to work fine.

(on offer at Argos at £59.99)

The Leappad Ultra, being a bit bulkier, works well for Tigerboy. They do swap and play alongside each other too, particularly with the pets.

For real team playing though, the Leap TV has been a massive hit. This week, when they’ve been laden with colds so I haven’t wanted them outside too much, they’ve still been active inside, leaping and dancing around. They take some parts in turns, and other parts play together. (I thought I had a fab picture, but will have to come back and add one tomorrow as I can’t find it.)

I like how the system gets them to line themselves up within a shape on the screen, meaning that you can adjust the camera between players for children of different sizes. And while Tigerboy is on the small (and young) side for this, he’s still capable of lots of the games, particularly if there’s a parent around to lift him up for the taller bits 😉

They don’t seem to notice that the games are educational (although I do 😉 ), they’re just happy to be playing on a console type device, and again, there may be an extra game heading under the tree 😉

(On offer at 79.99 at Argos.)

Alongside consoles and tablets, it’s possible that Small and Smallest may be sharing a present this year. I *might* have received a rather fantastic Hexbug Nano battle bridge set.

We’ve been huge Hexbug fans for some time now, although sadly the last bug disappeared, probably under the sofa, some time ago. At least with a habitat to live and fight in these ones should stay a bit safer. I foresee hours of amusement – they are oddly compelling creatures I find, and I daresay Tigerboy will enjoy them too.

And finally, against my better judgement, Smallest *may* be getting a Furby. And with all that lot in mind, I’d better be sure not to forget the batteries – although I’m ahead of the game there, as Duracell sent me a couple of packs to tide me over. I do recall Christmas days without the right batteries, and they are forlorn occasions at the best of times. I also recall desperate dashes to the only shop open for miles around, and having to pay four or five times over the odds. So take a tip from someone who’s been there, get at least a pack of AAs and AAAs, and maybe a couple of squares and some Cs just in case. You never know.

(And if whatever you’ve bought uses a different size of batteries – I sympathise. But don’t blame me!)

Disclosure: we are Leapfrog ambassadors, and have received tablets and the LeapTV console for review. The Hexbug set has also been sent for review, and there may or may not be a Furby on the way. (Apparently they’re popular this year. I’m not actually going to sob if it doesn’t arrive!)