Following the news we brought you on Wednesday that VTech is planning on bringing out a child-friendly tablet this year, it's only fair that we tell you all about the LeapPad Explorer - LeapFrog's assault at the kiddie tablet market.

Like VTech's effort it has a 5-inch touchscreen, tilt motion controls and is tough and durable so will be able to withstand a few drops and bumps along the way.

It packs in a camera with video recording capabilities, a microphone, and there's an animation studio built in for creating movies.

It will launch with a library of over 100 games, videos, eBooks and flash cards and it is backwards compatible with last year's Leapster Explorer content.

"LeapFrog created the first interactive learning experience with our original iconic LeapPad Learning System in 1998," said Craig Hendrickson, senior vice president and chief product officer for LeapFrog.

"After 10 years of research into the most proficient ways for children to learn, we are doing it again with LeapPad Explorer. 

"LeapPad Explorer is a multifunctional learning tablet that can ignite children's imaginations and learning, but also handle a little rough and tumble play. This will be the must-have gift for all eager learners."

Priced at £79.99, with games at around £15-20, the LeapFrog LeapPad is expected to hit at "the beginning of summer" this year.