RockIt Twist™
$59.99
The LeapFrog Rockit Twist is a USB-powered handheld for kids ages 4 to 8. What’s cool about it is there are a variety of buttons to use for interactions: in addition to a 4-way D-pad there is a slider, rocker switch, wheels and a button grid, making for some great tactile play. The controls light up when needed, which is a nice hint to the player about which one to use. It also does not need Wi-Fi.
The games and activities on the Twist are lightly educational, and fall into one of 6 categories: Arcade, Playground, Practice, Maker, Pets and Music. (There is a 7th category, but it’s just a video advertising the expansion packs.)
There are 12 activities across the categories, supporting early literacy, numeracy and problem-solving skills. Each game has three levels to increase the challenge; the Pet activity includes feeding, playing with and grooming the pets (although having a kitten “hatch” from a virtual egg seems a bit odd.) The Practice category includes 7 sets of virtual flashcards, helping kids practice the alphabet, counting, addition/subtraction, sight words and spelling, and measurement and shape recognition.
While the expansion packs take a little time and patience to set up, they do have the potential to add a considerable amount of playtime.
Jennifer Wells ©2019 Parents’ Choice
For more than 20 years, Jennifer has been developing play experiences for children, with beloved organizations like Highlights and LEGO. With a Master’s degree in Children & Media, a Bachelor’s in Music, and a love of Star Trek, Jennifer has many layers.