hand held consoles for preschoolers?

I'm trying to decide what to buy DD who will be 3.5 at christmas. I'd like it to be something that we can overseas with us in Feb/March so she can be entertained on the plane/hotels/etc. I keep looking at handheld computers, such as a Nintendo DS or one of the Leaping Frog ones, like the Leapster. I don't want her turning into a complete techhead at 3, but I think there might be times when its useful for her to have something like this to play with. WDYT? have you let your preschooler have one or would you?

otherwise, any other pressie ideas that can be taken when travelling will be greatly received as I'm clueless

Two of my kids have DS' and DS2 does play with them, but he can't really play it properly as the games just aren't designed for preschoolers. I think you can get a cookie monster and elmo game now, but that is still a pretty limited range. The only one he kinda can do is a crayola one we have and he does the colouring in. He is nearly 4. I'm thinking of a leapster for him as the choice of games is better and it is designed for preschoolers kwim? If we didn't already have Ds' in the house I wouldn't be keen on spending the money on one.

DS is 3.5 and has been playing games on DH's ipod - treat yourself to one and let her have a turn on the trip? lol

DH has an old Nintendo DS that I have been meaning to dig out because I think DS would be able to play it now if we got some of the kiddie games like Cars.

I don't want him to spend his whole day playing on consoles, but half an hour before tea or on a long car trip seems alright to me.

I have bought ds1 a leapster explorer for his birthday (in about a month) it's all educational games teaching them counting and drawing and geography etc. You can also get on the net and download ebooks, apps, games and more for it.

I have thought about leapstar for DS1 (nearly 3) for christmas but not sure.

Buy an ipad for you and let him use it!! DS1 plays on it lots of kids games to download!! DS2 (nearly 18 months) just figured out how to unlock it and press random buttons!!

DD2 is only 2 and is able to play on the older kids DS's - admittedly alot of it is just banging around randomly but she knows how to turn it on, get the pen out, change games and take photos! Am a bit ashamed to admit all of that really:redface:.

We are more then likely purchasing her a DS in tomorrows toy sales as the amount of fighting we have when the other kids play them (only on sat and sun mornings and when we travel) is so horrendous that we cannot deal with it any longer and are succombing to her tantrums and are buying her one! Another thing to be ashamed of as a parent!!:rolleyes:

Incidentally DS was 4 when he got the DS as we were just about to embark on a 7 week os trip - he was able to play it very easily and picked up on it quickly.

So what I am saying is that I would recommend a DS.:)

I let DS play with my DS just before he turned 4. He liked the Peppa Pig and Thomas games, but since getting racing games (Pixar Cars) he has been still for hours when I need it. Lots of practice and concentration skills, as well as "good" in the pub and airport. Also lots of meltdowns at first because it is not easy to control the cars without practice.

We also have travel-sized games such as snakes and ladders and small books. These have worked well for us too. A few little cars can be the difference between happiness and boredom.