LeapFrog unveils new wearable activity tracker for kids
LeapFrog's LeapBand, a wearable fitness tracker for kids, will be available in August 2014. Credit: LeapFrog
The brutally cold winter and many snow days most likely created little couch potatoes. But LeapFrog may have found a way to get your kids moving this summer.
The company recently unveiled its latest product, the LeapBand, a wearable activity tracker for children, that encourages healthy habits through play. Perfect for kids from ages 4 to 7, the high-tech gadget will be available in August, according to the company's news release.
Similar to other fitness trackers, this mini-model can be worn like a wrist watch to track activity and movement. But what makes the LeapBand child's play is the virtual pet that kids will have to nurture and care for. The more active a child is, the more points they earn to reward their digital pet and unlock more games.
Here's how it works: Kids can choose from eight different customizable pets (a cat, dog, dragon, monkey, panda, penguin, robot and unicorn), which can be personalized by color and name. Children will be prompted to compete in a variety of activities such as "walk like a crab," spin like a helicopter" and "pop like popcorn." The tracker comes with 10 preloaded games -- the more a child moves and earns points, the more rewards they will receive, for example, toys for their pets and access to 40 additional free challenges.
Additionally, you can download a free companion app called the Petathlon, through which kids can compete as their virtual pet in six mini games like archery, surfing and bobsledding.
The LeapBand activity tracker will retail for $39.99 and will be available in green, pink and blue.
