Summary
The Tag Reading System is LeapFrog’s best-selling toy for budding readers ages 4 to 8. This innovative learning toy is a global hit, having won more than 28 awards in 6 countries.
Fusing modern technology into good-old books, The Tag Reader entices children to develop a love for the written word. Stories come to life with sounds and visuals that are activated when children touch pages of their Tag book with the Tag Reader pen. Reading becomes interactive with games and computer-enabled interface.
The multi-sensory experience provided by the LeapFrog Tag Reading System is ideal for 21st century kids raised in the Information Age. Simply put, it makes reading fun for kids growing up in the age of computers. The LeapFrog Tag will make them want to read. As their tagline goes: Learn to read. Love to read!
Product Snapshot
Amazon Price: $31.54
Amazon Ranking: 
Sample Customer Reviews
Some quotes from 77 reviews of the LeapFrog Tag Reading System on Amazon:
“Great toy to start the path to reading.”
“In just a short time, I have witnessed my girl’s ability to learn and speak more complex words. Long term viability of the LeapFrog TAG will likely be a function of available titles. I have noticed more of the newer ones to involve mostly games and puzzles. We will be sampling one of those soon.”
“The pen is amazing, a real marvel of teaching technology.”
Features
The LeapFrog Tag Reading System entices children to read by bringing stories to life with sounds, pictures and cool interactive features. When children touch the pages of a Tag book with their Tag Reader pen, pictures sing and words talk to heighten the reading experience.
These interactive books and accompanying learning activities build vocabulary, strengthen phonics skills and sharpen comprehension.
The Tag library has grown to more than 40 books and games based on the classics, as well as popular TV shows and movies. New books and games come out regularly. One Tag Reader can carry audio for up to 10 books at a time.
To further enrich reading and learning, parents can connect the Tag Reader online so their children can collect rewards for playing Tag’s educational games.
You can monitor your child’s progress and see how he is improving or where he may need help through LeapFrog’s free online assessment tool, Learning Path.
The Tag Reading System is recommended for children ages 4 to 8. However, younger children may be able to play with it, happy enough with all the sounds and words they can activate with the pen. Certain children older than 8 and some with special needs have benefited from using the Tag Reader. This innovative reading system is now used in many schools all over the world.
The Tag Reader pen is about the size of a large marker and is designed to easily fit in a child’s hands with a no-slip grip. It uses 2 AAA batteries, which are not included.
Tips for Using the LeapFrog Tag Reading System
This is an interactive toy that uses a lot of computer technology. To maximize the experience for your child, you have to learn how to activate all the features. Go to the LeapFrog website regularly to check for updates and new titles.
Tag books come in a wide range of subjects so you should be able to find titles that will engage your child. Like shopping for books in general, you need to use parental discretion. Some Tag titles are more educational than others. Some are all about interactive fun. Try to get a good mix for your child’s library.
Pricing
Amazon Best: $31.54
LeapFrog Direct: $39.99
Assessment
Pros
The LeapFrog Tag has enough bells and whistles to get kids excited about decoding words and text and learning other school-age skills. They can listen to stories, read along, sing along, make funny sounds and play games—and in the process, without realizing it, they’re reading and learning.
Kids who play with the Tag learn new words and sharpen their phonics and comprehension skills. Some newer Tag books have even gone beyond literacy to hone mathematical and scientific thinking. They have already added puzzle and discovery books in the mix and others that cover social studies.
I like that the book titles are diverse enough to cover a wide range of interests—from dinosaurs and princesses to Toy Story and early reader classics like Chika Chika Boom Boom and many Dr. Seuss books.
As with other LeapFrog toys I have had experience with, the Tag Reader is sturdy and won’t easily be damaged by young users who still have to learn to be gentle with their books and toys.
Cons
Parents who aren’t avid computer users may find the product tedious. You will have to go online regularly to update the Tag pen and download new titles. There is some computer and online savvy you’ll have to apply to get your child the full Tag Reader experience.
Now if you’re used to updating an iPhone or iPad, updating the Tag is a lot like that, so it shouldn’t be a problem for you. Some do complain that the process also throws a lot of LeapFrog ads your way. But that doesn’t really bother me.
Alternatives
The Tag Reader System is a pioneer product from LeapFrog and still seems to be industry standard. There are not many stand-alone products close to the Tag Reader. However, some learning apps on the iPhone or iPad are similar to certain Tag games.
The most notable alternative is the Vtech Bugsby Reading System. It comes closest to the Tag Reader feature-wise, and is less expensive. You’ll pay $23.50 for the Bugsby, while the Tag costs $31.54.
So yes, you pay less, but I would still choose the Tag over Bugsby. Tag offers much more book choices. I also prefer the Tag pen’s synching and download process over having to store all those Bugsby cartridges that tend to get lost, by the way.
In my experience, Vtech toys are also not as durable as LeapFrog products.
Conclusion
The LeapFrog Tag Reading System is one of the best educational toys out there. I would call this the ideal learning toy for children beguiled by electronics—a good alternative to video games. While it is technically a computer product, the Tag Reader is still primarily a literary tool and very text-dependent. Kids will have to hone their reading and thinking skills to get in on the fun. LeapFrog got their tagline right—Learn to read, Love to read!