I like to think of my phone and iPad as a tool. I don’t like just sitting down at a restaurant and immediately handing over my phone. Not only do I see a change in my children’s moods when they’ve been using the phone, but I feel like they aren’t learning how to talk with those at the table. But if we are at a restaurant and the food is taking longer than expected to arrive and my children are just getting hangry, I will use whatever tools I have at my disposal to distract them from their rumbling bellies.
I will admit that I keep my phone out next to me when I’m sitting at dinner because I need to be able to answer it for work. My husband and I, though, have been trying to make a concerted effort to not look at our phones outside of these things during dinner time. We try to encourage conversation.
I’ve talked with some of my friends with kids similar ages to Little Miss and Little Mister, and we have found that we all have similar thoughts. What is interesting to me, though, is that our parents (our children’s grandparents) give our children a phone to play with much more freely. I’m not sure what the reason for this is. It is an interesting observation that we have all seemed to experience.
So here is my compromise – if my phone is going to be the occasional distraction tool, I want it to be educational. I want the apps that my child is going to be using to provide some kind of learning environment with interactive play that helps them obtain some skill. My hope is that, during those 10-15 minutes when I allow them to play on the phone, they are learning something rather than mindlessly staring at the screen watching some videos.
Not all apps are created equal. And you can tell that by which apps cost money or have associated subscription requirements and which ones are free. One of my greatest fears is paying money for an app that doesn’t meet the requirements I wish for in an app for my kids. So that you don’t experience the same, I’ve noted if there is an associated cost, and I can guarantee that the app is worth the price.
PBS Kids Video
Price: Free
Developer: PBS Kids
The PBS Kids Video app allows your child to watch everything from short clips to full episodes of all PBS shows, including live TV and shows no longer airing like Mr. Roger’s Neighborhood. The full episodes rotate through every couple of days, only 4-5 being available at any given time.
A big plus is the ability to cast from your phone or tablet to a TV via casting device. We cut the cord on cable several months back and love the ability to be able to just cast from the app to the TV. Your kiddo is sure to find their favorite shows – from Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood to Sesame Street and Super Why.
Metamorphabet
Price: $4.99
Developer: Vectorpark Games
The concept behind this app is simple, but it keeps Little Mister entertained and learning. Each letter metamorphosizes into words that start with that letter. “A” grows antlers, then turns into an arch, then begins to amble. With each letter, your little one will control how they metamorphosize, often times having to do some particular action for the metamorphosis to take place – such as guiding the egg into the mouth of the “E”.
I love that this app reinforces the alphabet, teaches my little ones new words, and improves their fine motor skills. There is a cost for the app, but the visuals and learning entertainment are worth the cost. It is an straight-forward app that is easy for kids to use and reinforces their learning. If you want to find more from this app’s developers, you can check out Vectorpark Games. They have several games that encourage learning and discounted packs if you buy more than the one app.
Puppy Preschool
Price: $3.99
Developer: Sago Mini
This is a great app for encouraging open-ended play. With a variety of mini games, kiddos are able to manipulate items on the screen to learn matching, numbers, colors, and music. The games encourage hand-eye coordination as well as open-ended play.
The cartoons are cute and kids will love the little puppies and their actions. I love listening to Little Mister giggle when the puppies catch the items in mid air or gobble up their bowls of food. The app does cost money, but the amount of time that my kids choose to play this app over others has made it worth it.
Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood Apps
Price: Varies; Can purchase bundle for $6.99
Developer: PBS Kids
There are three apps included in the bundle – Explore Daniel’s Neighborhood, Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: Play and Learn, and Daniel Tiger’s Day and Night. Although you can purchase these three apps individually, I think it is worth it to purchase the bundle. With Explore Daniel’s Neighborhood, kids can explore the different shops and places in Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood, using imaginary play to create a unique world each time they open the app. There are stickers for each of the characters that your child can manipulate as they explore and play.
In Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood: Play and Learn, kids can explore five different scenarios from nighttime routine, potty routines, to play time as a doctor and music. I love being able to open this app and reinforce the daily routines that we do in our own home.
Little Mister’s favorite app in the bundle is Daniel Tiger’s Day and Night. This app also reinforces daytime and nighttime routines including things like picking up toys and brushing teeth and picking out clothes to wear each day. Little Mister loves the bedtime song and making the clouds giggle as well as brushing Daniel Tiger’s teeth.
If you have a Daniel Tiger fan in your household, especially if you are wanting to reinforce specific routines in your house, these apps are must-haves. They are fun little mini-games and have the high quality that you know and love of Mr. Rogers and Daniel Tiger.
Duck Duck Moose Apps
Price: Free
Developer: Duck Duck Moose by Khan Academy
Duck Duck Moose has developed a plethora of educational apps for kids, so to limit it down to just one is difficult. Each app is great for a different age and teaches different topics. From the alphabet to math, music to reading, the apps have interactive mini games that keep kids entertained and learning.
Little Mister has currently been enjoying playing on Fish School. In this app, there are mini games about shapes, letters, numbers, opposites, and more! Little Miss, on the other hand, has just started getting into the Old MacDonald Had a Farm Book where each screen has a different animal and sound for your little one to discover.
Alphatots Alphabet
Price: $2.99
Developer: Little 10 Robot
This is similar to Metamorphabet as it progresses through the alphabet, presenting words that start with each letter. What is great about this app’s version of the alphabet is that it provides the sound of each letter in addition to saying the letter as well as providing verbs that start with the letter.
There is then an associated mini game where your child performs whichever action was presented with the letter, such as building, stacking, and more. These activities encourage fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination. Additionally, both upper- and lower-case letters are provided, encouraging recognition of the letters.
ABC Mouse
Price: Free Trial then Paid Subscription
Developer: Age of Learning, Inc.
After seeing the ads as sponsors for shows on Disney Jr. channel, I looked into this app. ABC Mouse is used by many educational institutions to support curriculum-based learning. Activities in the app include reading, writing, math, science, and social studies skills and education. The games encourage independent learning through books, puzzles, games, and interactive animations.
This is a subscription based app, but they do offer a 30-day free trial as well as I constantly see promotional ads on Facebook for the subscription, so if you are interested in this app, keep a watch out for the promotions or try the free trial first to ensure that your little one finds the app as enjoyable as the subscription is worth. I do like that you can play this on both a phone, tablet, and on the computer.
Khan Academy Kids
Price: Free
Developer: Khan Academy
Khan Academy has adapted their award-winning curriculum into preschool fun and games. Open-ended games encourages play-time learning, creativity, and self-expression. Topics range from reading and writing, math, motor-skill development, and social-emotional development. What I really love is that I can set up profiles for each of my kids and the program is adaptive, going at each of their paces based on their age and learning levels.
The characters are fun and engaging. I really love how Little Mister and Little Miss can play without realizing all the things they’re learning and discovering. It’s a definite plus that it is free with no in-app purchases and no annoying ads. I can feel confident that my kids can play without worrying about an ad popping up.
Hopster Coding Safari for Kids
Price: Free
Developer: Hopster
This is a great app for older preschoolers, introducing them to coding through logic problems. Kids are given puzzles that encourage computational thinking using cute animal characters. Much like other learning apps, as your child progresses through the games, they become more difficult, testing their knowledge in a self-paced format.
This is a fun, free app and, an additional plus, is ad-free. The only in-app purchase available is to purchase a second world once the first coding world has been worked through. Though toddlers and young preschoolers can have fun playing this app, kindergartners through 2nd graders will be the ones who really get the most out of this app.
I hope your little ones find as much enjoyment and learning fun from these apps as my little ones do! Which one is their favorite? Is there one they love that isn’t on this list? Let me know! I love adding items to my tool kit for learning and keeping my little ones happy.