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ClickStart facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts

The ClickStart (also known as My First Computer) is an educational computer system. It was created by LeapFrog Enterprises and launched in 2007. This system was made for young children, usually aged 3 to 6 years old. The ClickStart system includes a main console unit. It also has a wireless keyboard and mouse set. You can use special game cartridges with it, called My First Computer Software. The console also introduced Scout, a friendly green dog character. Scout later appeared in many other LeapFrog products.

The ClickStart console won important awards in 2007. It received the Outstanding Product award from the iParenting Media Awards. It also won the Mom-Tested Toy of the Year award from Parenting Magazine. As of 2009, the system was still being sold around the world.

How the ClickStart System Works

The ClickStart system has a main console unit. This unit is like the computer's brain. It connects to your TV and holds the game cartridges. The system also comes with a wireless keyboard. This keyboard has a special optical mouse attached. The mouse pad is usually on the right side. But you can move it to the left side if you are left-handed.

The keyboard uses four AA-sized batteries. It sends signals to the console using infrared light. A small red light on the keyboard blinks when you press a key or move the mouse. The keyboard saves battery power by turning off automatically. This happens if it's not used for a few minutes. You can turn it back on by pressing any key or the mouse button.

The console unit has a power switch on the front. It also has a slot for game cartridges. There are even grooves on top to hold six other cartridges. On the back, you'll find a power socket. You can use a 5v DC adapter, which is sold separately. There are also cables to connect the console to your TV. These cables provide video and sound. The console can work even without a game cartridge inserted. It uses four C-sized batteries or a DC 5v power adapter. Inside the battery area, there's a switch. This switch lets the console work with different TV systems. This means it might work in many different countries.

The ClickStart system is sold in two colors: violet and green. When it first came out, it was only green. It didn't come with any games. Later, the violet version was introduced. This new version came with a game cartridge. The green system usually includes Finding Nemo: Sea of Keys. The violet system comes with Disney Princess: The Love of Letters. A version with British voices was also made for the UK market.

Playing and Learning with ClickStart

Clickstart Main Menu
Screenshot of the ClickStart main menu, with Scout on the bottom-left corner of the screen.

When you use the console for the first time, an adult needs to set it up. They will enter your name and choose a difficulty level. After setup, you can log in. Two LeapFrog characters, Tad and Dot, will give you a special present: Scout the puppy! Your job is to take care of Scout while Tad and Dot are away.

Every time you log in after that, Tad and Dot will appear. They will call Scout onto the screen before leaving. Then, the main menu appears. From here, you can play four games built into the console. You can also play the game from a cartridge if one is inserted. Plus, you can visit Scout's dog house. In the dog house, you can explore and play with Scout. When you play the built-in games, you earn dog biscuits. You can give these biscuits to Scout in his dog house. He will then perform fun tricks for you!

The four games built into the console are:

  • Inbox - You can get "e-cards" from an adult or other players. If no e-card is sent, a game with Dot or Tad will start.
  • ABC Tree - This game helps you practice basic keyboard skills.
  • Type Time - This game also helps you practice keyboarding and spelling. It has a free-type mode.
  • 123 Click - This game helps you practice using the mouse. It also teaches colors and early math skills.

The console lets you set up to three different users. There's also a guest mode. Your game data is saved right on the console. Parents or guardians can also go into a special settings mode. Here, they can change the difficulty of the games. They can also send a postcard to a user. To send a postcard for the first time, you need a password from the LeapFrog website. The password is SCOUT.

ClickStart Games

Here is a list of some games available for the ClickStart system:

Who Competed with ClickStart?

The ClickStart console had competitors in the educational toy market. Its main rival was VTech's V.Smile PC Pal console. Other V.Smile consoles with the Smart Keyboard accessory also competed. The ClickStart also faced competition from other companies. These companies made educational laptop toys. Even low-cost desktop computers with kid-friendly software were rivals.

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