Be Smart

Ever see a gadget designed for a child and secretly want to buy it for yourself? I actually have one - a child that is - so I have a good excuse.

Take the new gaming handheld from Leapfrog called Didj, which has a unique feature that allows the users to customize the gaming and learning experience through the computer. While it looks like a DS Lite, it allows me, uh, Mackenzie, to add effects, action, characters, music and more.

Designed for grade schoolers aged 6 to 10 years, the Didj system offers the action-packed, big-graphics game-play that kids expect, but cleverly combined with a learning system. Take it anywhere and learn with favorite characters such as SpongeBob SquarePants, and then go online to trade the points earned for more modifications to make it your own. Even better, create your own Didji characters in the online Didjerator.

Parents can choose the math and spelling skills they'd like the games to focus on, for example, spelling or multiplication. Sneaky, eh? For example, the Super Chicks! game allows the user to customize the game online with the math facts they've learned.

With the USB connection, parents can also see their children's progress in recent games, get detailed updates on the skills, and feel good about all the game time. At $89.99, it's cheaper than the Nintendo DS Lite, and the 10 titles are $29.99 each. Gaming system and games are available at Amazon.

Just don't tell the youngsters it's good for them, or that you're playing it while they're asleep.