I. Love. LeapFrog. That pretty much says it all. The company has sent me their Tag Reader and Tag Junior to review on Boutique Cafe’s Daily Dish and adore them both, as do my kids ranging in age from 2 to 12. Okay, so maybe the 12-year-old doesn’t use the Tag Readers but she did think they were super cool. Basically, whenever LeapFrog has a new product they want me to review on the Daily Dish I’m all over it…because I know my kids will be too.

The latest addition to LeapFrog’s line of electronic learning products is the Zippity Learning System. This not-so-little gadget is sort of Dance Dance Revolution meets Wii meets old-school Atari controller–but for 3- to 5-year-old children. The set consists of an interactive mat and “bopper” plus a small console that plugs into the television. The console has places for extra games but already comes with 8 games (2 levels each) featuring fave Playhouse Disney shows like My Friends Tigger & Pooh, Handy Manny, Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Little Einsteins. (Anyone else absolutely adore Little Einsteins?!?!) You can also purchase separate games with other popular characters like Lightning McQueen and those ever-effervescent Disney princesses.

George was so excited to try out his new Zippity he kept asking how soon ’til Dad was home he could play it. (Yes, I could have set it up but I love giving Dad a chance to get involved with these reviews.) But George couldn’t wait so big sister got it all plugged in and set up for him. After that it only took a few false starts to help George understand how the mat and bopper worked and away he went trying out each game (easy level only) and finding out his faves; he really enjoyed making June and Goofy dance and helping Handy Manny’s tools fix things. Don’t believe me? Here’s a little video for you:

And just like the Tag Reader and Tag Junior, the Zippity offers the built-in Learning Path so you can track the skills your child is exploring as they learn and play. It’s really pretty cool. Though I love the Zippity I will say a couple things bothered me. One, the amount of batteries this puppy takes. I think it’s like 4 C batteries for both the console and the mat…and I have yet to find rechargeable size C batteries. (We’re big fans of rechargeable batteries around here.) And two, even though the games are geared towards 3-year-olds and up, the easy levels moved a bit too slowly for both George and me. Touted as an “active” learning system, the only time George really got moving was when he free danced with June, and he was moving way too fast for the game to keep up with him!

But all in all the Zippity is a huge hit at our house and would make a great holiday gift for the preschooler in your home. Even Livi had a great time taking a turn on the mat–after she gave her sister the count of three to do something. (Who do you suppose she got that from?) Check out this outtake video:

*** Giveaway!!! LeapFrog is giving away one (1) Zippity Learning System to a lucky Daily Dish reader (and $80 value)! Here’s how to enter. You can do as many of these as you’d like. Each one is worth one entry into our giveaway:

•   Visit LeapFrog.com and leave a comment telling us your favorite LeapFrog product.
•   Become a fan of LeapFrog on Facebook and leave a comment telling us you’re their newest fan.
•   Follow LeapFrog on Twitter and leave a comment telling is you’re their newest follower.
•   Tweet about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL of your tweet.
•   Blog about this giveaway and leave a comment with the URL to your blog post.

Include a valid email address for our drawing. We’ll draw the winner from the comments and contact her via email. Deadline: November 12, 2009 (midnight). The winner will have 24 hours to claim her prize or a new winner will be chosen.

* Congratulations to Sky S., the winner of the Zippity giveaway! Thank you to everyone who took the time to read the review and add a comment. Keep reading the Daily Dish for your chance to participate in more giveaways!

I seriously think I have stumbled upon one of the greatest children’s gifts ever, at least if I go by how much George has loved his CurlyQ Cutie monster…and how often he’s asked to make another one…and how many times he’s made sure it was in the same room in which he’s playing. I’ve even seen my husband sort of hanging out with the newest addition to our family while watching a late-night movie. Yes, even I’ve succumbed to its charm and found myself giving it a squeeze or two just before I chuck it once more onto George’s bed.

What’s the draw when it comes to CurlyQ Cuties? Could be how much fun it is to design your own creature online when you get to choose everything: body shape, body color, eye shape (even the number of eyes), eye color, mouth shape, belly shape (love the polka dots) and belly color. By the way, the online graphics don’t do the creature justice. I found myself checking out the cute collection shown at the top of the page for some good ideas on features. George had a grand ol’ time creating his monster and I enjoyed how quickly the creating arrived. And then to open the box and find the little monster so much cuter in person, not to mention so well made…it made both our days!

George’s little orange CurlyQ Cutie monster, also named George, has been thrown, sat on, loved, forgotten, found and squeezed and looks no worse for the wear. I have a feeling this little guy will be with us for a long time. (Just as long as George takes George with him when he goes to college…) And at only about $30 (including shipping), this really is a truly unique, truly fabulous gift for children of any age. Heck, I’d even make one for my sister!

CurlyQ Cuties‘ site says the Monster-Maker has 464,494,800 unique possibilities. It’s been a while since Calculus so I didn’t double check to make sure, but I believe them. Along with creating a truly unique product by changing out the features, your CurlyQ Cutie can be personalized with a name or message on the back. Each one has its own unique serial number and is handmade in the USA. Plus, if you don’t feel like using your imagination you can purchase one of their collectible monsters, which come pre-designed. OH! And I almost forgot to mention their super cute custom Fairy-Teeth. These are little tooth-like critters that come with a pocket on the back to hold a tooth or the Tooth Fairy’s spare change. So fun!

I kid you not, George asks me at least a couple times a week if he can make another monster. I kind of wish they had a frequent buyer program, and that’s saying a lot since I am NOT a big fan of stuffed animals. But I’d give away a basketful for a couple more of these CurlyQ Cuties! –Emily

I’m not saying children need a lot of playthings. For me, though you wouldn’t believe it by looking at our toy room, less is more when it comes to children’s toys. (I will dejunk that toy room if it kills me!) And if you subscribe to the “less is more” philosophy then you probably also believe in finding really great high-quality toys for your child. WOW Toys believes in this too.

WOW Toys has a product line of seriously fun (is that an oxymoron?) toys for children from 9 months to 5 years. From race cars to pony clubs to bath sets, their toys have lots of fun, interactive features without the need for batteries. That gets WOW Toys a gold star in my book! The designs are simple without crazy gadgetry and the need for instructions. The bright colors and chunkier style means WOW Toys are perfect for little eyes and hands.

We received the Flip ‘n’ Tip Fred, a “friction-powered recycling truck with tip and release action.” Friction powered means you can rev the truck and let it go, all the while listening to realistic–for a three-year-old at least–engine sounds. I’ve never had as much fun recycling as my toddler is having with his Flip ‘n’ Tip Fred. He can take two of the three different recycle bins and use the bucket to tip them right into the back. Or he can watch the automatic waste crusher spin before he slides the side door open to empty the truck. The boy and girl “recycling team” often battle it out as to who gets to drive and who gets to stand on top with one of the bins. The sturdy carrying handle has made it easy for our toddler to recycle on the go.

We did have one slight problem due to my son over-revving the “engine.” Now it has a slight clicking sound when it revs and rolls, but hey, I’m sure there’s a recycling truck out in the real world with the same problem! Though the age says 1 1/2 years to 5 years, it’s more like 1 year and up. We’ve all fought over playing with Flip ‘n’ Tip Fred, from our one-year-old who’s carried the girl figure around for hours (half the time in her mouth–I supervised!) to my eight-year-old who could hardly wait until her brother fell asleep so she could play with it.

There are so many great options from WOW Toys you’ll have a hard time deciding which one(s) to buy in support of your “less is more” New Year’s goal. (At least, that’s my New Year’s goal!) I’m loving Katie Camper’s Holiday Friends and Discovery Island! Though they are priced a bit higher than your typical Playskool- or Fisher-Price-type toy, they will get a lot more use and will last a heck of a lot longer. Think of it as an investment in your child’s imagination…and with WOW Toys (unlike our current economy) that investment will pay off handsomely. Note: Though the company is based in London you can find WOW Toys on Amazon.com. –Emily