 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Pet Pals 2: Best of Friends!
- LeapPad Explorer, Leapster Explorer
- Price: $24.99
- Genre: Edutainment
Common Sense Media says
Learn tricks, make friends, and shop with a virtual puppy.
Parents say
Kids say
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that LeapFrog Explorer Learning Game: Pet Pals 2: Best of Friends! is a great introductory title for the Leapster Explorer and LeapPad Explorer. Unlike some of the other games, this one does not follow a set story line. Kids are free to explore, play games, and take care of their puppy. It does have an emphasis on consumer behavior, as you are given coins for doing certain tasks (including being a good friend) and are encouraged to buy clothes, toys, and premium food for your puppy. The game also supports Micromods, which allow kids to connect online and download additional game-related content, and the LeapFrog Learning Path where parents can track their kids' progress in the game.
What kids can learn
Kids can learn the basics of caring for a pet, including addressing its physical and emotional needs. They can learn addition and subtraction through the dog show game, and basic money-saving and goal-setting as they work toward buying items at the store. Kids can start to develop empathy and an understanding of emotions by helping other friends’ dogs. They can also work on fine motor skills as they draw the shapes needed to teach the puppies new tricks. This puppy sim balances math and emotion in a cute, fun package.
Skills
- Thinking & Reasoning
- Creativity
- Self-Directionachieving goals, goal-setting
- Emotional Developmentempathy, identifying emotions, labeling feelings
- Communicationfriendship building, listening
- Collaboration
- Responsibility & Ethics
- Tech Skills
- Health & Fitness
What's it about?
LEAPFROG EXPLORER LEARNING GAME: PET PALS 2: BEST OF FRIENDS! invites the player to adopt a puppy, name him/her, and then care for this new friend. Puppies need to be bathed, played with, fed, dressed, and entertained. Kids earn Puppy Points for nurturing their pets. As they earn more points, they increase in rank and are eventually able to adopt additional friends. Outside of the virtual house, there are plenty of other things to do. Kids can shop at the Pup Boutique or the Bark Mark for clothes, food, and toys. They can visit the training center to learn new tricks or the park to play with friends. There's a dog show where kids demonstrate their ability to bathe and dress their pet, and also show off their math skills (addition and subtraction).
Kids can earn trophies and coins that they can use to shop. While walking around outside, they also have the chance to make friends with the 10 other puppies who live in town. If they can tell what emotion the puppies are feeling (from a multiple choice set of images), they can build up their friendship and possibly earn prizes. And if they're in need of more cash, they can try out the Treasure Hunt, where they can earn coins and collectible items. Much like other games, they earn badges for completing tasks and meeting goals.
Is it any good?
Pet Pals 2: Best of Friends! is a cute game that will have a lot of appeal across gender lines in the target age range. Because it doesn't require a lot of special knowledge or gaming skill, it skews younger, but picking out your own puppy and playing with it does have universal appeal. Although there is no set storyline and no "end goal," kids may enjoy trying to become "best friends" with all of the puppies in town and finding all of the collectibles in the treasure hunt. Other kids will simply enjoy the day-to-day care of the puppies without being concerned about completing things. This one is a good staple for the library of Leapster Explorer/LeapPad Explorer owners, especially those on the younger side.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about caring for a pet. What does it take to care for a pet in the real world? How is that different from caring for a virtual pet in a game?
They can also discuss what it means to be a good friend. How can you be a good friend? What can you do if one of your real friends is happy/angry/sad?
Families can talk about money. What does it mean to save money? Why would you choose to save your money rather than spend it right away?
What kids can learn
Kids can learn the basics of caring for a pet, including addressing its physical and emotional needs. They can learn addition and subtraction through the dog show game, and basic money-saving and goal-setting as they work toward buying items at the store. Kids can start to develop empathy and an understanding of emotions by helping other friends’ dogs. They can also work on fine motor skills as they draw the shapes needed to teach the puppies new tricks. This puppy sim balances math and emotion in a cute, fun package.
Subjects
- Language & Reading:
- Math: addition, money, subtraction
- Science:
- Social Studies:
- Arts:
- Hobbies: pets
Skills
- Thinking & Reasoning:
- Creativity:
- Self-Direction: achieving goals, goal-setting
- Emotional Development: empathy, identifying emotions, labeling feelings
- Communication: friendship building, listening
- Collaboration:
- Responsibility & Ethics:
- Tech Skills:
- Health & Fitness:
How kids will learn
Kids choose from a variety of activities, so there's no set path for a child to follow. Kids can pursue their own interests and take part in the tasks they most enjoy, including identifying emotions in puppies or showing off math skills at a dog show. Skills are appropriate for the targeted age, and the friendly puppies will appeal to most kids. Parents can track their child's progress on the online LeapFrog Learning Path and can make use of some related printables and activities on the LeapFrog website.
How parents can help
- Use small objects (such as food, erasers, etc.) to help kids understand the concepts of addition and subtraction.
- Talk about emotions and encourage your kids to identify their own emotions, as well as those of characters in books, on TV shows, and in games.
- Engage your kids in caring for any pets you own.
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Parent
January 31, 2013
AGE
doesn't work
this game doesn't work with the new leappad2, it freezes everytime your child plays with it....... if you end up buying the app they won't even refund your money!!!!!
What other families should know:
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| Topics: | cats, dogs, and mice |
| Platforms: | LeapPad Explorer, Leapster Explorer |
| Available online? | Not available online |
| Genre: | Edutainment |
| Developer: | LeapFrog |
| Release date: | November 1, 2011 |
| Price: | $24.99 |
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