Make This Year's Holiday Gifts Epic with LeapFrog {Review}

Although I've been kidding myself that there are still months left before it is time to start thinking about the holidays, now that November is here, my denial needs to come to an end. Where does the time go?

And, as much as the holidays bring joy and family and togetherness, there is no doubt that it also brings stress — from various locations and for various reason, but particularly from shopping. What to get? Where to find it? Will it last? Is it good quality?

While the answers to many of these questions may remain unknown, there is always one company that can be depended upon to provide an incredible array of children's toys that are sure to be a hit with the young children on your list. It is easy to to shop for items that will provide innovation as well as imagination when you turn to LeapFrog!

LeapFrog is known as a leader in education innovation throughout the world. Their award-winning learning toys, interactive book and map experiences, reading systems, educational gaming handhelds and learning tablets are age-appropriate, trusted by parents, valued by teachers and loved by children.

Which is why three of their recent toy debuts will make great gifts for the upcoming holiday season: the LeapFrog Epic, LeapFrog Number Lovin' Oven, and Scout's Build & Discover Tool Set.

LeapFrog Epic
Ages 3-9, MSRP $139.99

The LeapFrog Epic is an Android-based tablet designed to grow and adapt with your child, giving them endless possibilities for exploration, learning and play. It features a customizable and playable home screen; a safe, out-of-the-box web with LeapSearch browser that expands when they're ready to do more exploring; and much more.

My kids love watching videos on the internet, so knowing that they will only see content appropriate for them is a welcome relief for me!

The LeapFrog Epic comes with an attached stylus (no worries about losing it!), a parent guide, quick start guide, USB cable, AC adapter, 16 GB memory, and 20+ apps including fun games, eBooks, utilities and much more.

In contrast to the LeapPad devices that we have known and loved in the past, the Epic is not compatible with LeapFrog cartridge games but instead has 20 included apps as well as access to many more in the Leap Store. You also have the ability to download popular Android apps — all the while knowing that the parental controls will keep your child only seeing the options and games that you approve.

Whether your child is learning letter sounds, working on early grammar, spelling, reading or math skills or simply playing on the one-of-a-kind town that they create on the home screen (my girls love seeing their "world" turn from day to night, adding new characters and setting it so that the weather conditions in the town are the same as they are here), the LeapFrog Epic is a great tablet for young children — and even includes a built-in gel bumper for added protection for the shatter-safe 7" LCD screen!

LeapFrog Number Lovin' Oven
Ages 2+, MSRP $24.99

An adorable miniature appliance just right for toddlers and preschoolers, the Number Lovin' Oven provides hours of pretend play with all of its colorful pieces and cute phrases and songs. Complete with play food, a skillet, spatula, baking tray, and two plates, this oven offers the perfect recipe for teaching counting, sharing, parts of a whole, and more.

Although I wasn't expecting all that much from this small toy, both my kids and I were surprised to find ourselves drawn to playing with it again and again! Press the chef hat for learning songs; move the number slider to explore number recognition, temperature, and learn about cooking times; fry an egg in the skillet and hear real sizzle sounds; bake bread, cupcakes or pizza on the baking tray while counting down with the timer to see the oven light turn off...

The Number Lovin' Oven has over 30 phrases and songs that are cheerful and fun, really drawing kids in to wanting to continue to play. Little do they know that cutting their bread or pizza into 2, 3 or 4 equal pieces is actually education hidden in entertainment!

Scout's Build & Discover Tool Set
Ages 2+, MSRP $19.99

Designed by LeapFrog experts and tested with families throughout its development, Scout's Build & Discover Tool Set introduces toddlers to their first step-by-step building project. Is there a young child out there that wouldn't love to play with their own colorful hammer, screwdriver, and saw?

At the same time, this toy teaches kids the purpose of each tool as they assemble a doghouse for Scout wall by wall. Counting, measuring, color matching — this friendly puppy encourages children to count nails, measure walls and windows with their ruler, tighten screws and bolts with their wrench, sing along to the number song, and more.

When they're done? Take it apart and build it all over again!

I love that this toy manages to be simple yet educational while Scout talks, sings, and encourages exploration. Young kids end up using their imagination while learning great preschool skills, engaging in pretend play, and overall having a whole lot of fun using tools just their size.

As a bonus, children get a head start on practicing concepts that are useful in the real world and can then take their tools and put them to "work" on other toys, throughout the house, and more!

While we have long loved LeapFrog and the way that their unique toys and learning solutions provide entertainment as well as educational advancement, the addition of this high quality tablet and these fun toys fits right in. Kids are able to express their creativity, laugh endlessly, practice important skills, improve their fine motor skills and much more. What more could I ask for in making up a wonderful holiday gift?

Find out more about these and all of LeapFrog's great products by visiting LeapFrog.com and connecting with them on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest.

As a LeapFrog Mom Ambassador, I receive products, promotional items and educational material to use and share as I see fit. However, any opinions expressed by me are honest and reflect my actual experience.