Theses day, everyone can own a videogame console... or something like it. For tykes under 4 (all the way down to just 9 month old) there's the LittleLeaps Grow-with-Me Learning System, a thoroughly impressive interactive toddle toy.

First off, the LittleLeaps is actually two tot systems in one.

Secondly, importantly, it's not actually a game console at all (it just looks that way). Rather, it's an oversized, stripped down, bulbously-buttoned universal remote control for your conventional DVD movie player (sold separately, of course) which must be programmed, which is easy enough to do. That also means it's battery operated and wireless, but durable and ready for a bang around on the carpet.

It's used to access a variety of DVD-based activities and games, from simple shape and color recognition fair up to genuinely inventive cognitive, physical and verbal skills games.

To cover such a critical gambit of early-years learning, the LittleLeaps controller provides a 2-in-1 interface; the input device is reversible, flipping from a basic, three-button whackable to a more elaborate, two-button and 4 direction joystick configuration.

It comes packed with starter DVD covering the full spectrum of age-appropriate learning games, plus there's 4 more ("First Steps," "Play & Move," "Say it, Baby" and "Leap Ahead") sold separately for $18 - $20 each.

Great stuff.