Why we like it: It’s easy to find thousands of jigsaw puzzles, games of concentration and coloring books in the app store; but few are crafted this well. In other words, part with your $3, and do it right. There are five games in all built around the world of German book illustrator Axel Scheffler. Mix in the trademark British Nosy Crow narration, by expert sounding children and you have a good app.
Need to know: The “Make a Face” game, that uses the iPad’s camera to take a picture of your own face, creates an excellent setting for applying language related to emotions. All in all, this is a great all-purpose app to have for a rainy day or a long car trip.
Ease of use: 9/10 Educational: 9/10 Entertaining: 9/10
Why we like it: Once in a while, it’s fun to throw a classic into the mix. Here’s a fun, zany drill program to help you memorize some names and facts about the 44 US Presidents. Guess what, this one’s fun for both kids and adults, to play together. The app doles out multiple-choice questions like “Which President succeeded Thomas Jefferson?” The app stores up to five player profiles.
Need to know: There’s no opportunity to apply the factual knowledge, so the facts are less likely to stick. All things considered this game delivers as promised.
Ease of use: 9/10 Educational: 8/10 Entertaining: 9/10
Why we like it: While we’ve certainly seen better designed apps than this one, but guess what… it features you-know-who, complete with Boots and straight-from-the-TV narration. Organized in storybook fashion, this nine screen adventure hides something red on each page.
Need to know: The activities vary in quality, which is OK — remind children they can jump to something they like. Note that you can toggle on/off the sharing settings, which is especally important for Nick apps.
Ease of use: 8/10 Educational: 9/10 Entertaining: 8/10
Why we like it: Twenty six drag and drop puzzles follow a letter-related theme. For the letter P for example, you assemble a pig collage from common objects, such as spools of thread, tools and pasta shells. The puzzles are by Israeli illustrator Hanoch Piven, making this one of the more aesthetically pleasing alphabet apps.
Need to know: An ABC melody that plays in the background is nice… the first 45 times it loops. Also some might find the narration to be a bit pushy.
Ease of use: 9/10 Educational: 8/10 Entertaining: 8/10
Why we like it: Here’s a solid addition to any children’s app library. What makes it stand out is the way the 3D graphics are synced with your screen movements, giving it a “book on a stage” effect. When you flip a page, the graphic elements pop up, and there is always something to do on each page.
Need to know: We reviewed another StoryToys app last week (StoryToys ABC) but this one offers more to do.
Ease of use: 10/10 Educational: 9/10 Entertaining: 8/10
$1.99
U.S. history can be a bit of a dry subject at times. Throw some extraterrestrial invaders into the mix — and chances are, your kids will be paying a little more attention. Same goes for learning letters of the alphabet: They’re more fun when done in an app.
Children’s Technology Review shared these 5 top apps — including “Presidents vs. Aliens” — for kids from their comprehensive monthly database of kid-tested reviews. The site covers everything from math and counting to reading and phonics. Check out the gallery above.
Check back next week for more Top Kids Apps from Children’s Technology Review.
Chris Crowell is a veteran kindergarten teacher and contributing editor to Children’s Technology Review, a web-based archive of articles and reviews on apps, technology toys and video games. Download a free issue of CTR here.
