LeapFrog Explorer Smart Globe Reviews

• Best present my kids ever got

  
  By A2FZ3SIIOMRNO4 on 2004-07-03
  I'm not one for electronic toys, normally. But this globe is terrific. The second day after she received it, my 6-year-old had learned all the continents and oceans, and could find each of them within two or three seconds after the globe called them out. She's working on countries now. Her first-grade class had to make a collection of 100 items of their choice. She chose to collect 100 country names, which she patiently copied from the globe while listening to music snippets and basic facts about each one. Last month, we read that geologists believe India was once a seperate island, which eventually crashed into mainland Asia. I asked her what mountain range was made during that crash, and she barely paused before answering the Himilayas.
  
  But the best part is when the kids go to bed. Then I get to challenge my wife to Eureka, to see who can find the most countries, cities and continents as they are called out randomly by the globe. She always wins. But I'm improving, and one of these days....
  
  My only complaint (like many of the other reviewers) is that the globe started malfunctioning after several months. In our case, the sensors must have shifted inside the globe so that instead of giving you information for the country you select, it tells you about its neighbor 2 inches to the left. But the company will replace the globe for free. I just had to ship it back to them (at my own cost, but no big deal). Many people complain about the stylus failing, but a replacement stylus is pretty cheap. If you play with it as much as we do, you can't expect it to last forever, can you?
  
  

• Makes learning about Geography fun!

  
  By A3INKLSOQTNJ67 on 2002-01-23
  We bought this last yr for my then 5 yr old son. He was pushed up a grade this fall(skipped K) and is now in a special advanced placement class which is a combo of AP 1st/2nd graders. At the start of this school yr he could take a blank US map and write in all 50 states correctly including the capitals! (well, ok....some spelled phonetically but he comes from spelling challenged parents!) :) When he had to do a report last month on a state....his teacher was amazed at his ability to fill in all the state names without refering to the map the other children were struggling with. Our main reason for buying the thing was for him to use to independently look at where dad was traveling (husband takes many international business trips) and after dad left for the airport he'd use his globe to find out how long it would take for dad to get from NY to wherever he was off to that week. Can you say parent guilt toy? Best one dad's come home with so far though! He loves the game where the toy asks you to find a place on the globe too. My other 5yr old (the boys are 11mo apart in age) is just now getting interested in the globe.....durability is great. We did have a broken pen (the globe wouldn't 'say' what you touched on the globe) but one call to the 1800 # and we had a replacement within 5 days! No cost to us at all-And that was during the Xmas holiday season! We have no complaints at all-overall a great investment in your child's education!
  
  

• Love It

  
  By A1D1JYNZ06HF0I on 2000-11-06
  We bought this for my daughter, but my husband and I fight over who can play with it! It's a great way to learn geography!
  
  

• More than worth the cost!

  
  By AD8RSOVF9VRAM on 2002-09-06
  Leap Frog toys are the best!! I bought this as a Christmas gift for my five year old twins. I thought it might be too advanced for them, but they had been asking me about oceans and continents, so I thought we'd give it a go. What a great toy! We have gotten many times our money's worth from this purchase. They have spent countless hours playing and learning with this toy. Every time we get in the car, the globe goes with us (a little cumbersome for a travel toy, but it's their favorite). I'm embarrassed to say I need to spend a little time with the globe to catch up with them! We recently purchased the Turbo-Twist Math - another favorite. Next is the Turbo Twist Spelling...
  
  

• WOW !!! Geography finally made FUN!!!

  
  By AHFIND8P4FEVA on 2001-12-10
  I bought this for my 7 year old son and WE can't stop playing. He has even found mistakes on the flat map at school(countries that have changed names recently).I would definitely recommend this toy for any grade-schooler. The Eureka game is the best! He has learned so many different countries and can usually find more than me in the time alotted. They are learning and don't even know it. Get rid of those gameboys and playstations and get an Explorer Globe! Definitely a MUST HAVE!!!
  
  
• Global awareness
  By A1BE9O20RG868V on 2004-11-03
  I have purchased this for our grandchildren...ages 4 and 2. I plan to use this wonderful globe to help them get started on their awareness of the world...I'm sure they will "grow into" this toy...but they will have fun with it even at their young ages because Grandpa and Grandma will "accompany" them to exotic places. I'm a French teacher....and our grandchildren can already name and locate lots of places. This is an excellent "learning" tool for all ages. Grandpa and Grandma are enjoying the competitive global games too!
  
  
  
• Learning Disguised as Fun
  By on 2001-11-07
  The Leap Frog Explorer is one of the best investments I have made in educational toys for my seven-year-old. It is so diverse that it entertains a four-year-old neighbour with its musical selections, and occupies my dinner guests as they play Eureka, a challenging but scalable game.

  While some might be taken aback by the price, this is an item that will last years and will delight the entire family. My daughter has developed an appreciation for geography, and I now know more country capitals than most, if not all, of my colleagues.

  The quality of this product surpasses other "talking globe" items, as the voice is clear and the information is mostly accurate. I have been able to find only one error; the currency in Ecuador is the US dollar, not the sucre as alleged by the Explorer. But, find me a flawless electronic game, and I will certainly be surprised.

  This is an item that I will be ordering as Christmas gifts for the important little ones in my life. Don't wait! Order yours today!
  
  

• My kids love this
  By on 2001-09-28
  My now 7-year old twins got this for Christmas last year and absolutely love it. They learn so much from this, and absolutely love the Eureka game. One of my sons really enjoys the music that plays with all the different locations. As they have been working on geography in school, I find that they are doing really well with being able to identify oceans, continents, states and even countries in some parts of the world. Everyone loves this toy, from my seven year olds, to my parents. I would definately recommend it.
  
  
• Great Fun, Educational Toy for the Entire Family
  By A1LLF05QRMP269 on 2001-07-11
  I am a mother of twelve children. My husband and I first sawthe LeapFrog Globe at[a store]. I guess we played the game for a full hour before purchasing it and bringing it home to our brood. Our children were just as excited as we were. The kids stayed on it for three hours! This is an amazing toy that gives so much information about states, countries, continents and oceans that its hard to put down. After dinner we break off into groups and compete against each other. The children have become very knowledgeable about geography and we often take it when we visit family to share our knowledge. ... . The "Talking Globe" is the tool to keep your children abreast of our changing world and its different peoples. Thanks for such an educational and fun toy. As for the durability: My 15 month old bit the pen! ... .
  
  
• Do I have to give it up?
  By on 2001-11-21
  I bought this globe for my granddaughter, but had so much fun "trying it out" that I am seriously considering getting her something else and keeping this for me! Whoever said this was for children is missing the boat. This is a GREAT game for adults. It's smart, it's competitive and has enough variety to not get boring. In all fairness, mine is a slightly different version (plain Explorer rather than Explorer II) but from what I can tell it is about the same - just a slightly different base.
  It is a beautiful globe for a home reference and the interactive element is extremely easy to use. This is a gem.
  
  
• Awesome Globe
  By A7J0APV3UH33L on 2005-10-03
  I have NO IDEA why a couple of the reviews were so low. Bad batteries is hardly a reason to trash this globe. It is great and has lasted almost a year now. It has been an easy way to end some family debates about sizes and population. It has many interesting facts built in that easily turn a 5 minute "look" into a 30 minute discussion. My only fripe with products like this is the "music" sampling. A country's national anthem "theme music" doesn't help learn music history.
  
  
• Educationally great. Quality not so great
  By A3G6YKLPXLZ9FV on 2006-08-04
  We bought this globe two years ago for my daughter and she loved it! We too enjoyed learning about the countries, capitals and all the other wonderful information it provides. After GENTLY using this product for two years, I have had to replace the pen twice at $5 each including the hassle of getting one and then out of the blue, every country is being incorrectly identified. Sensors have shifted like other users have reported, HOWEVER, because the globe is more than 90 days old, the company now will offer only a replacement globe at half price ($50) plus shipping and handling ($5) AND I have to ship the old one back at my own expense. All of that translates this globe into close to $200, a lot of time and trouble, a disappointed child, and in my opinion poor product quality and service. Buyer beware.
  
  
• FUN FOR GROWN-UPS TOO
  By on 2002-10-27
  My eight year old got this as a b-day gift. ...
  ... It is very informative!!! The only thing I'd change would be that it could also be updated with a cartridge and the Mind Station. It was expensive so it would be nice to be able to keep it current! But it is still a great toy
  and lots of fun to play with!!! My daughter has learned alot from it---and so have I!!!
  
  
• LOVE IT!!! You have to get one!!!
  By on 2002-11-02
  I love this globe. It is by far the best thing I ever got for my kids. When I first received it I spent hours playing it by myself! Not only do the kids learn (parents too) but it is so much fun!!! I wish these were around when I was little but at least I can play with it now. ( after wrestling it away from the kids that is.)
  
  
• Didn't Work
  By A2D3ZVYHWBXCWF on 2006-03-22
  I bought this for my daughter when we home schooled. We loved it but after a couple of months of use the pen stopped working. You point the pen at the country/state etc. and the computer tells you facts about that area. So its critical to have the pen working! We looked the item up online and they said to mail the pen into them and we did so without ever hearing back from them. It has been months now. I read someone else's review with a different problem and they mailed the item back and haven't heard from the company. That is VERY disappointing as this item is fairly pricey and once it doesn't work its just a regular globe. Good luck!
  
  
• Explorer Globe by LeapFrog
  By A3DT21QQHXZLU6 on 2001-11-14
  This should be the top selling toy for adults and children. Awesome learning tool. A way for adults and children to learn about other countries, where they are, what they do there, population, music, endless questions answered about these countries we are hearing about now. A must for under every Christmas tree.
  
  
• CHALLENGING FOR OUR GIFTED CHILD!!!
  By on 2002-11-20
  We have a son who is four and has an IQ above 152. We have found it quite difficult to find our son toys in the Peanut Creek area that will both challenge him intellectually, emotionally, and physically yet not require the fine-motor skills of an eight year old child with a much superior IQ than most other children. The leap frog globe is perfect! It is highly durable and provides hours of fun and intellectual challenge. Our son plays with the globe for hours every day, and loves testing himself on various subjects (location of countries, capitals, population density, topography, distance between cities, and various cultural differences around the planet, etc.) The globe also has a carry over effect, in that it inspires our son to read about the countries of the world. Our gifted child has already been inspired to the point of reading almost 100 books that are written in the native language of the country he selects on the globe. This is the best investment in a toy we have ever made. In fact, we may purchase another one for our gifted 2 year old with a 162 IQ when we receive our next check at the beginning of the month.
  
  
• Where in the world is?
  By on 2001-10-18
  This is a great teaching toy. American kids don't know their geography. This is a great way to for them to see Planet Earth and how their little world fits into the bigger one.

  Geography, currency, language, music and much more are taught in a fun style. A timed question and answer game can be played. This is my pick for my 7 & 9 yr. old's Christmas gift this year.

  Can't comment on durability yet as I have just bought it.
  
  

• This highly educational toy is a grand slam in every way.
  By A1QLH6CT6OP4WI on 2002-12-31
  I bought this as a last minute extra Christmas gift for my two daughters, ages 8 and 12. The reviews I read here were the primary reason for my impulse purchase. Once they convinced me to give it back and let them try it, the girls played for hours. They have played for hours, every day for the five days since Christmas. I play with it after they go to bed. My 8 year old can touch any continent or ocean on the planet within seconds of hearing its name. The 12 year old has the states and provinces down cold and is moving onto capital cities. Every adult that has entered the house, has been irresistably drawn to play with it. Given the digraceful state of geography education in the country, I can't think of a better supplement to a child's education.
  
  
• Be Careful Before you Spend Your $100
  By A2PPGEUKEJFUU3 on 2004-05-25
  It's frustrating really. We purchased an explorer globe for our son who loved to play the states game in the Lap Pad book. We used it a total of 4 times in 6 months because once we got it we realized it wasn't quite at his level, (he was just 5). We put it up and when a friend came over whom was interested in purchasing one for her son, I let her try it out. It turned on just fine, but the pen would not work. I changed the batteries but with no luck. It worked randomly for a few times after that but it no longer works at all. We have had it for only a year and it has been used no more then 10 times. Leap Frog only warrants their products for 3 months. Our 3 months were up and their was nothing we could do about. We spent $100 on what was supposed to be a great, long term educational product, unfortunately not even the company that makes it can back it up. Their goes another $100 wasted on this company. We're done spending money on their products. Note: Watch out for Leapster and Leap Pad products as well.
  
  
• Excellent Toy for All Ages
  By A1HNB8XX72J6SI on 2006-10-18
  This is not a perfect globe -- not precise with the pen on tiny locations but please remember that it is a toy! That said, ours has hit the ground several times and even popped open once (I carefully put it back together) and it works great. Yes, sometimes when trying to select smaller areas (like Rhode Island) it is hard to have the selection recognized. But my 8-year old, my 4-year old and my 2-year old each love this globe for different reasons. My 2-year old loves the music setting. He has found that he loves the music of Russia! My 4-year old has become a geography whiz -- he recently corrected my daughter about the correct location of New Guinea -- much to my amazement and that of the strangers sitting nearby. He will spend hours listening to the music and facts about different places on the globe. My 8-year old enjoys the challenge games -- trying to find as many places as possible in a set amount of time. My husband and I enjoy the challenge games as well -- nothing like a toy globe to make you realize you need to brush up on your regional and global geography!
  
  The headphone port has been extremely useful too. It's great for private play without disturbing others.
  
  We have used this globe for years now and it has taken a beating and we've had no trouble with it. This is an expensive toy but I cannot recommend it enough. We have also had excellent customer service by the LeapFrog company (via Email) with other toys. They have been generous with replacements and service.
  
  
• 6 year old knows it all!
  By A6BLHDJ5E7V4C on 2002-07-15
  Okay, so most 6 year old kids think they know it all. Thanks to this toy, my granddaughter has learned the names and locations of many countries. And many other interesting facts about them. While she uses it in spurts she genuinely enjoys it. Easy to use, fun, educational.
  
  
• Amazing
  By A3KO6820GGRX4N on 2000-12-24
  This globe is a bit overpriced - and no one seems to discount it - but it is an amazing toy and educational tool. Very well produced. Our kids (and yes, us too) will spend hours going from country to country listening to the "world music" selections. The adults have even found the "find distance" feature to be useful, and remarkably accurate.

  Every kid should have one of these.
  
  

• Fun but broke after a few months
  By A1GD9B7L2KWE3Y on 2004-06-18
  Defintely a great concept but the touch pen quit working after about half a year. Now its just a plain globe. Ratings are based on function level after it quit working, since I found many similar sotries on the web. Sad the quality is so LOW. It would be all 5s otherwise
  
  
• Explorer Globe
  By AAJOSBIHREK3F on 2004-10-15
  I bought the Explorer Globe two months ago and It's no longer working.
  
  
• wonderful educational toy
  By on 2003-06-06
  this is educational even for adults!! my 5 year old and 7 year old play with it for hours, they can quickly identify states and countries on other maps. this is well worth the money!!
  
  
• Globe
  By A27670LXIBRDU1 on 2005-10-29
  I purchased this for my 8 year old grandson. He is completely involved in learning and this globe provides a wealth of information in an entertaining way.
  
  
• great fun
  By A3DLPHGOYHVY9E on 2002-11-23
  My 8 year old wanted this toy for his birthday. He carries it with him in the car. The whole family loves playing the games on it.
  The kids are learning so much about the world even my 6 year old.
  
  
• We ALL enjoy this toy!
  By A33UEFAXG3Q5GO on 2003-11-16
  My daughter recieved this toy last Febuary for her birthday. She had the flu at the time, and we all took turns "beating" each other finding the countries. (Her grandparents played the most!) We first purchased one in the store, and then returned it and ordered from the website, as it was the last one on the shelf after Christmas, and ahd a short in it- I'm sure it had been played with a lot!! It is actually a little over my six year old's head, and would probably be best suited for a 8 yr. old for the price, but she has played with it some since the first month. She doesn't think about it herself, but if I suggest it, she will play it for about an hour at a time. My 3 year old is too rough with the wand to play with it un-monitored
  
  
• best globe around
  By AFEWFKSAC61NE on 2004-12-15
  My daughter came home from kindergarten upset because she had a a difficult time in school finding Canada on the globe and asked if we could get a globe for home so she could practice and wouldn't be embarrased at school. We went searching around and found this one. It is the best thing. She has spent the past two days looking at it, pointing to the different countries, oceans and then telling us about the facts she's learned about each place. My husband and I spent 2 hours last night playing the games after she went to bed. It's fun for the whole family. I think the age rating is a little old. My kindergartener understands how to use it and really enjoys it.
  
  

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