Tag Archives: apps for kids

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Toca Town

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toca town

FREE for a limited time – Toca Town, a digital town where kids rule. Toca Town features twenty-one playful characters and seven locations to explore – park, pond, store, police station, restaurant, house, and apartment. As kids move around the town, they choose their own adventures. They can grocery shop, cook thirty different dishes at the restaurant, visit the police station, or just hang out with friends. With a tap of the sun, kids can change day into night – perfect for camping in the dark! The app is full of interactive surprises for kids to discover – presents to wrap, lights that turn on and off, etc. Toca Town is great for vocabulary development and oral story telling. Don’t miss this great app from Toca Boca.

Direct Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/toca-life-town/id871694174?mt=8&uo=6

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Shadow Puppet

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Shadow Puppet

Use the power of this app to create a unique Father’s Day tribute or greeting!!

Fabulous and FREE – Shadow Puppet is a photography app which has been featured by Apple as a Best New Apps. Using this app, it’s easy to create “puppets” – recorded explanations of your photos. First you choose your photos and put them in the order. Then you talk about your pictures. Everything is recorded. Finished “puppets” can be shared via email, SMS, Facebook and/or Twitter. There are so many ways for everyone to use Shadow Puppet: to teach something new, to share adventures with friends, to record children talking about their experiences, to tell the story behind old family photos, etc.

Recent updates have added many new features. Now you can include video clips, add music, search the web for images, overlay text/stickers, and more! The FREE version of the app permits you to include up to 10 photos/video clips. For $1.99 you can get Puppet Essentials which allows you to add up to 100 items to each video and have access to more drawing & decorating tools. The update made this great app even better!

The classroom uses for this app are only limited by your imagination: Take pictures of a child’s work and have him/her explain it to parents. Send pictures and voice recordings of the class field trip. Have kids give a step-by-step explanation of what happened in a science experiment. Draw & sequence pictures to retell a story. Make a “talking timeline” by sequencing photos of historical events. Have kids use it to present mini reports on any subject. Have virtual “pet day” – kids bring in pictures/recordings of their pets. Because you can use anything saved to your photo library, you can explain photos from the web, artwork created in other apps, and so much more. The possibilities for using this educational app are endless. For more suggestions go to http://get-puppet.com/education. What a fabulous resource!!

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/shadow-puppet/id700902833?mt=8&uo=4

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Chili Fish

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chili fishFREE for a limited time – Chili Fish, a fun art app for children. Kids use their imaginations to create fish for their very own underwater kingdom. First they use a variety of colors to paint and/or stamp their fish. Then they choose from different eyes, tails, fins, mouths, etc. The result is a completely new fish every time. Each fish has its own personality, speed, and taste in food. They can also lay eggs to create new fishy friends. Kids can snap pictures of their fish and save them to the camera roll. Then they can print, share, or write about them. Check out this open-ended and interactive app. Kids will enjoy exploring and interacting with the aquatic world that they help to create!

Direct Link https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/chili-fish/id907053583?mt=8&uo=6

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Pepi Bath 2

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pepi 2FREE for a limited time – Pepi Bath 2. This educational app is the second installment of a role-playing game that teaches kids (ages 2 – 6) about personal hygiene. Kids start by choosing one of four characters: a boy, a girl, a cat or a dog. Then they choose one of six situations: brushing teeth, taking a bath, washing clothes, using the toilet, ironing or choosing an outfit.  In each scene kids learn to take care of themselves and they have fun along the way – adding bubbles to the bath, popping bubbles, etc. There are also some good lessons built into the app. For example – when the scissors are chosen, the character shakes his/her head no. Also, the characters are VERY polite – always saying thank you! Check it out for some good clean fun!

Direct Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pepi-bath-2/id957345067?mt=8&uo=6

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La Luna: The Story Project

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On sale for only $.99 – La Luna, an educational app based on Pixar’s Oscar-nominated short film. This app was selected as “Innovative Kids App” in the U.S. for the App Store’s Best of 2013! It includes the full theatrical release of the short film.

La Luna is a beautifully told fable of a young boy coming to age. It features the original artwork of Enrico Casarosa, the film’s director. The app includes 3 ways to enjoy the interactive story – as a short film, an interactive video, or a storybook. Also included is a fascinating “Behind the Scenes” section which explores the process of creation from storyboard to screen. Kids will learn about storyboards, turntables, sound design, visual design, and progression reel. They will love getting a glimpse of the process that Pixar uses to create its movies. And, the story is absolutely magical!

Highly recommended – do not miss this extraordinary app!!

Direct Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/la-luna-the-story-project/id657554982?mt=8&uo=6

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Spelling Star

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spelling star

FREE for  limited time – Spelling Star, an educational app for practicing spelling lists. The app is simple to use – just type in and record the words. You may also include sentences to clarify the words’ meanings. Kids must spell each word correctly three times to become a Spelling Star.  Words are presented in random order. As kids practice, they can get a hint – a quick look at the word spelled correctly. When they spell a word without a hint, they earn a star. Spelling Star provides feedback after each word is spelled with the option to “try again” when an error is made. This educational app is great for home and/or school. Parents can use it to input spelling lists for multiple kids. Kids may enjoy inputting their own lists at the beginning of the week which would be GREAT practice! Teachers can create lists on one device and share those lists with anyone who has the Spelling Star app. Simple to use and tracks progress – what more do you need? 🙂

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/spelling-star/id557070660?mt=8&uo=4

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Tiny Dentist

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Tiny Dentist

FREE again – Tiny Dentist. Kids get to be a dentist for a day with this educational app that teaches about dental treatments and instruments. Dozens of patients with dental problems need fixed. The “dentist” has the tools to: remove cavities & fill in the hole, remove plaque, use water & air sprays, remove decayed teeth, put on braces, and more! The app was developed to alleviate children’s fear of the dentist. Visual instructions for using the different tools are found in the grown-ups section. Another fun feature of the app is the ability to take before and after pictures of the patient. 🙂 Check it out!!

Tiny Dentist - fantastoonic

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Drive About Number Neighborhood

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drive aroundFREE for a limited time – Drive About Number Neighborhood, an educational app that helps kids practice beginning numbers. Kids are required to match, count, write, identify, or order numbers in nine fun games. They tap sea pickles with the correct the target number in Catch-a-Sea-Pickle. They trace numbers in the sky in Cloud Writing. See-Saw has kids balancing animals to make equal sums. All of the games in Drive About: Number Neighborhood give your child practice in early numeracy. Kids can proceed at their own pace as they drive, fly or sail in a world of educational free play – perfect for preschoolers!!
Direct Link https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/drive-about-number-neighborhood/id864136403?mt=8&uo=6

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Dr. Panda Mailman

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mailman FREE for a limited time – Dr. Panda Mailman, another great app for preschoolers from Dr. Panda Ltd. Kids become mail carriers and deliver mail in a fun-filled interactive world. There are four areas for kids to explore – the mountains, a village, a forests, and fields. First they create their own postcards or wrap their own packages. Then it’s time to deliver their creations. The recipients are different animals, each with his or her own unique personality. As they ride down the road delivering the mail, kids are free go off the beaten path and explore.This app is great for developing vocabulary and creating stories. It’s a big fun world with no rules, points, timers, etc. – just open-ended exploration.

Download Link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dr.-pandas-mailman/id918035581?mt=8&uo=6 

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Spinlight Studio Apps on sale for $.99!

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WOW!! Spinlight Studio’s apps are on sale for only $.99.

Tally Tots

Tally Tots Counting is an educational app that teaches kids to count to 20. The app features 20 interactive mini-games that make learning numbers and counting fun. Kids race 2 cars, make bubbles in 6 colors, place 10 shapes into a puzzle, feed a chipmunk 19 acorns, etc. The app features something unique for each number with lots of positive verbal encouragement along the way. Tally Tots Counting is the perfect choice for young kids learning to count!

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/tallytots/id424070269?mt=8&uo=4

operation mathOperation Math is a great educational app from Spinlight Studio. Kids will have fun practicing basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, & division tables in this interactive “spy” game. The object of the game is to stop Dr. Odd’s quest to eliminate the world’s even numbers. In order to do so, kids must complete 105 missions by solving equations. Missions can be selected based on a child’s skill level and/or the operation (+, -, +/-, x, ÷, x/÷ or +/-/x/÷). Of course, time is of the essence so kids have to answer problems in 60 seconds or less. By doing so, they lock doors along their escape routes. And as they complete missions, they earn the gear of a seasoned spy. What a great game – I love how the app integrates math practice into a really cool game for kids. I especially like the modes which permit kids to practice multiple operations at a time. It makes kids pay attention to operation signs and quickly switch their thinking. What a fun way for kids to practice facts and meet CCSS! No wonder Operation Math was given a 2012 Parents’ Choice Award. Get it today – kids will LOVE it!

Common Core State Standards met:

  • 1.OA.6 – Add and subtract within 20, demonstrating fluency for addition and subtraction within 10.
  • 2.OA.2 – Fluently add and subtract within 20 using mental strategies. By end of Grade 2, know from memory all sums of two one-digit numbers.
  • 3.OA.7 – Fluently multiply and divide within 100, using strategies such as the relationship between multiplication and division or properties of operations. By the end of Grade 3, know from memory all products of two one-digit numbers.

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/operation-math/id487387270?mt=8&uo=4

Yodel

Kids will have fun learning basic addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division math tables with YodelOh™ Math Mountain. The object of the game is to score enough points to keep Hans from falling off the cliff. In order to do so, kids have to answer problems quickly and avoid the crazy charging sheep. And as kids score points, the questions get harder. The app also includes high-score charts that track the best 15 games for all 5 modes. I especially like the mode which permits kids to practice all 4 operations at a time. It makes kids pay attention to operation signs and quickly switch their thinking. What a fun way for kids to practice facts and it meets CCSS! Get it today. 🙂

Common Core State Standards met:

  • 1.OA.6 – Add and subtract within 20, demonstrating fluency for addition and subtraction within 10.
  • 2.OA.2 – Fluently add and subtract within 20 using mental strategies. By end of Grade 2, know from memory all sums of two one-digit numbers.
  • 3.OA.7 – Fluently multiply and divide within 100, using strategies such as the relationship between multiplication and division or properties of operations. By the end of Grade 3, know from memory all products of two one-digit numbers.

Download math: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/yodeloh-math-mountain/id634946225?mt=8&uo=4

gappy learns

Gappy Learns Reading has beginning readers constructing 200+ three-letter words – 174 of the words following the cvc pattern. There are also 37 three-letter sight words included. Kids start with basic letter and sound identification then progress to making words. As they work through the app, kids earn parts to redesign Gappy’s house – with over 700 possible combinations. Parents can disable the music, change letters from upper case to lower case, and control the number of word lists used in the settings. I like that the app varies which letters (beginning, middle, end) of the words are missing in the easy levels. In the medium level, two letters are missing and in the hard level, all letters are missing. Kids are gradually learning to spell – nicely done for little readers. 🙂

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gappy-learns-reading/id614840334?mt=8&uo=6

Also $.99  – Gappy Learns Writing

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gappy-learns-writing/id691260469?mt=8&uo=6

winky

Winky Think Logic Puzzles by Spinlight Studio feature 180 different puzzles. Kids slide shapes and match colors through three levels of puzzles that become increasingly more difficult. As they play, kids must use reasoning, observation, and spacial cognition to advance to the next level. Winky Think is a fun app that makes kids think!

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/winky-think-logic-puzzles/id923072172?mt=8&uo=4

AlphaTotsAlphaTots Alphabet is a GREAT ABC app for kids! What makes this educational app unique is that it uses 26 action words to teach the alphabet. Kids are asked to complete 26 interactive tasks, for example: b – build a robot, p – play instruments, z – zap alien spaceships, etc. This app has been featured on The Today Show and has received a lot of positive press. It is a VERY fun app for toddlers/preschoolers who are learning their alphabet!!

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/alphatots-alphabet-learning/id436142340?mt=8&uo=4

SwapsiesSwapsies Jobs is a cute educational app for toddlers. The app features 10 community helpers – baker, pilot, mail carrier, doctor, police officer, firefighter, builder, astronaut, engineer, and rancher. There are two different modes: a dress-up game and an interactive quiz. In the dress-up game mode, kids mix-and-match hats, tops, & bottoms to find the correct combination. Once the clothes are properly matched, a fun activity is unlocked for each occupation. The quiz mode is age-appropriate. Kids are asked to make connections, reason, and classify – find 3 things that fly, find 2 things that are round, find 5 things a baker uses, etc. Additional information is available in the parents’ section where you can download the Swapsies Occupations App Guide. This app was featured in Apple’s Apps for Preschool and Kindergarten. It’s also a Parents Choice Award winner. Nicely done!!

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/swapsies-jobs/id416577459?mt=8&uo=6

Also on sale – Swapsies Sports

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/swapsies-sports/id716848871?mt=8&uo=4

PixelAlso only $.99 – Pixel and Parker, an educational app that puts a new spin on storytelling – literally! Parker and Pixel (his cat) are best friends. One day Pixel is missing so Parker sets out to find him. Kids use a game spinner to determine the order of the story’s events in this cute tale. The story is never the same twice. The app also features 30+ activities that engage readers while advancing the plot of the story. This app would be great for a lesson on the elements of story. The characters, setting, problem, and conclusion are the same but the order of events can be changed! Cute colorful illustrations also add to the appeal of this story. Pixel and Parker is the first in a planned series of adventures. 🙂 Great idea!

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/pixel-and-parker/id548751986?mt=8&uo=4

geographyGeography Drive USA™ is a fabulous geography app for up to 3 players. This educational app teaches kids about the 50 U.S. states – their shapes, capitals, nicknames, postal abbreviations, flags, key symbols and more. As kids travel on a cross-county adventure, they stop in each state to answer trivia questions about national rivers, mountains, parks and time zones, important trails and railroads, major U.S. cities, landmarks, and attractions. When they answer questions correctly, they unlock airports and fuel stations – essential to stay in the game. The more you know, the further you go. 🙂

Additional fun features include: a visitor center with state brochures and regional & national maps, a game-based newspaper with headlines that recognize player achievements, trophies waiting to be claimed & displayed, and the ability to customize and upgrade the players’ cars. There are also 4 bonus games included. Love this app – it’s the perfect blend of fun and learning!

2013 Gold Parents’ Choice Award, 2013 Children’s Technology Review Editor’s Choice Award, and featured on Fox News.

Download link: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/geography-drive-usa/id579100969?mt=8&uo=4