Recommended Apps
Looking for some help in choosing apps to buy for your children? The following are recommended based on educational and/or developmental quality. None are recommended for children under the age of 3.
Toddler
Moo Baa La La La! (iOS 3.2, Android 2.2, Kindle, Nook): Interactive version of Sandra Boynton’s original story, featuring read to me and read it myself options, animal noises, and fun activities galore! $3.99
Eric Carle’s My Very First App (iOS 4.1): A series of matching games based on Carle’s My Very First Books with 3 levels of game play. $1.99
Little Stars (iOS 4.3): A customizable app that features ten games for toddlers, including letter names and sounds, colors, and shapes. Kids can earn stickers as they progress through the games. $Free
Peekaboo HD (iOS 3.0): Find the animals in this peekaboo game that teaches animal names and sounds. $Free
A Present for Milo (iOS 3.2): Full of animations and interactive objects, this book introduces young children to a delightful cat and mouse game with a surprise ending. $5.99
Preschool
Cat in the Hat (iOS 5.0, Android 2.1, Kindle, Nook, Windows 8 or RT): Interactive version of the classic Dr. Seuss book. $3.99 or Free (Lite version)
The Going to Bed Book (iOS 3.2, Android 2.2, Kindle, Nook): Exciting interactive surprises await you in the delightful version of Sandra Boynton’s bestselling book. Have it read to you or read it yourself! $3.99
It’s Tyrannosaurus Rex (iOS 5.0, Android 2.1): Explore the prehistoric world of T. Rex in this interactive app from the Smithsonian. $2.99
Color & Draw for Kids (iOS 5.1, Android 3.0, Kindle, Nook): Featuring a coloring book as well as a sketchpad, this is a great app for budding artists. $1.99
JumpStart Preschool Magic of Learning (iOS 4.3, Android 2.2, Kindle, Nook, Windows Phone, Nokia): Based on the CD-ROM series of the same name, this app is available for a variety of grade levels and in a free and paid version. Practice concepts and get ready to learn. $Free, or up to $2.99
Primary
PopOut! The Tale of Peter Rabbit (iOS 3.0, Android 2.2, Kindle, Nook): Dynamic version of the classic story with objects that appear to pop out of the screen at you. $4.99
Slice It! (iOS 4.3, Android 2.1): Kids won’t even realize they’re practicing their math and spatial skills while they play this fun game that challenges them to slices different shapes into equal pieces. $Free or $0.99
Chicktionary (iOS 4.2, Android 1.5): Like the beloved game Boggle, Chicktionary invites kids to see how many words they can make out of the letters provided, here accompanied by chickens. $Free or $1.99
Word Craft EE (iOS 4.3, Android 2.2, Kindle, Nook): The “EE” stands for “elementary edition” in this app that breaks words down into building blocks. These are mixed in with extra blocks and your goal is to build the correct word, defined for you on screen, out of the blocks given. $0.99
Where’s My Water? (iOS 4.3, Android 2.1): Help Swampy by guiding the water to his shower in this physics-based game app. Created by Disney, this app is sure to provide endless entertainment while also working your child’s brain. $0.99
Intermediate
Big Nate – Comix By U! (iOS 4.0): Create your own Big Nate comics in this app that lets users choose from the familiar characters and settings of the increasingly popular book series. $2.99
Barefoot World Atlas (iOS 5.0): Much more than simply an adaptation of the print book, this app provides numerous opportunities for interaction – illustrations come to life and can be enlarged, and live data about each country appears on the screen as you explore. $4.99
Scribblenauts Remix (iOS 4.3): If you can think it, you can create it. Use your crazy creations to help solve challenges. $0.99
StoryLines (iOS 5.0): Pick a common phrase, draw an illustration of that phrase and pass it on to your friend, who will give a new title to your illustration. Like the game of “Telephone,” what you end up with isn’t usually what started. $Free
Learn the States (iOS 4.0): With quizzes and a variety of interactive games, kids will love practicing their knowledge of the United States with this app. Practice abbreviations, nicknames, state symbols, major cities and more! $1.99
