Word Whammer

By LeapFrog
Price $19.99
Age 4+

This is one of the most well thought out learning devices for young children that we've seen. It is, as one would hope for a product targeting PreK and up, exceptionally sturdy. Youngsters find its design, with prominent tactile elements, colorful visual appeal, and the twisting and pushing motions integral to game play, to be completely engrossing. The small screen displays animation while audio provides players with upbeat guidance and feedback. Each of the highly distinctive games (Dragon's Rocket Ride, Panda's Bumper Cars, Penguin's Tea Cup Twister) has an inherent physicality kids find mesmerizing. All of this serves to provide an exciting learning experience with which children ramp up their phonics skills, identifying letter names and sounds and building more than 100 CVC words. An auto-leveling feature adapts the game play to match each child's skill level as they learn, play, and progress, enjoying themselves all the while.