The LEAPPAD LEARNING SYSTEM is a "smart toy" for kids ages 4 to 10 that looks like a giant plastic book. Inside is a stylus and molded space in which to insert a book; you insert a software cartridge on the side and the LeapPad starts encouraging the child to interact with the book. The software comes with an introductory book. There are more than 60 titles, sold separately, in four categories: LeapStart, for preschoolers-kindergarteners; Leap 1, for kids in preschool-first grade; Leap 2, for grades one to three; and Leap 3, for grades three to five.

The books are interactive, offering sounds, music, and games; kids must press a green "Go" sign on each page so the software recognizes the page. Stories in the LeapStart books are read aloud. In Leap 1 books, kids can also touch any word to have it read, spelled, or sounded out. For older children, stories aren't read but kids can hear individual words pronounced.