There is no way around it, we live in an uber digitalized world. You now see 10 year old with the newest iPhone, 4 year old with iPad skills that could beat any parent.
We own an iPad, which is supposed to be my husbands but my two boys love to play with. A. even refers to it as ‘my iPad’ while J. simply says ‘my pad, pad’. I think they weren’t even two and they already knew their way around my iPhone! Luckily there are really great apps that can be educational, creative, and entertaining for kids. If my kids are going to use the iPad, at least they should learn something from it, right?
Here are our top free iPad apps of the moment:
LAZOO’s Squiggles.
LAZOO, is mostly known for their kids clothing. But they also offer great iPad apps for kids. They have two apps so far: Let’s Color & Squiggles, being the latter our favorite.
With Squiggles kids can bring pictures to life. With their hand-drawn squiggles cars move, fish swim, things come to life! J., who is 2, loves to draw all over the cars to then press GO! and see them drive around. He can squiggle for hours!
Squiggles teaches that for every action there is a reaction. If you do not squiggle on a car it won’t go. Same with the fishies, if you don’t draw waves for them, they won’t be able to swim.
This is an entertaining app. I’ve joined in the fun a few times. And even though my boys play it quite a bit, they never know which squiggles will go with which car, so it is fun and entertaining trying to guess if they’ll go right or left. Truly recommend this one
Mickey’s Road Rally.
With Mickey’s Road Rally app Disney turned one of their most popular show interactive! This appisode lets kids be more involved on what happens with the story. They are asked to touch, shake, swipe, drag, and talk their way through the story.
This is another of J’s favorite apps. He loves ‘Ma Mouse’ so much he plays with this app quite often. He even learned to count to 3 with this app which is pretty awesome on its self! And I’ve seen him watching the actual episode and playing the app at the same time! It was quite entertaining.
PumiLumi FREE.
PumiLumi is a animated quest app for kids. The premise is to find the PumiLumi characters as they play hide and seek in the forest. This game develops observation, logic, and shape recognition. It is part of a bigger app which needs purchase but the basics are fun. The characters are cute, colorful, and modern. And, who doesn’t like to play hide and seek!?
Drawing Book.
My boys love to draw and color. I love it when there is no mess! With Drawing Book your kids can set their imagination and creativity free!! This is one of A.’s favorite games on the iPad. he likes to draw cars and people. But what he likes the best is being able to share them with dad and/or grandma!
The app comes with markers in all colors. Extras are offered @ $0.99 each.
We are always on the prowl for new games for the boys. These are their top 4 of the moment.
Do you have a favorite iPad app that is kid friendly?
Thank you for this post! I don’t have children myself, but as a babysitter (and aunt-to-be) I love finding ways to introduce children to technology. Great resource.
No ipad here. But I’m sure my daughter would love the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse app.
My kids love the mickey one! We’ll check out the others!
Thanks- I have never heard of any of these!!
Thanks so much! We need new apps for the iPad!!!
yes I do!! awesome – thanks for sharing
Fantastic list love Lazoo!
The Squiggles program looks like fun!
thanks for the app suggestions! With 3 boys, we love to use apps when waiting at restaurants, dr appt, etc… and always looking for new ones!
So I recently (like 2 weeks ago) got an IPad2. I know I am behind on the times, right? And it seems like my kids have taken over it… they love it way more than I do. Thanks for these suggestions… I was looking for some free Apps to D/L for them!
We love Mickey! Have you seen the new interactive game, Nuko? I highly suggest checking them out. The game interacts with these cards you collect. And you simply tap the card you want to use (an animal or mythical creature) and then your avatar turns into that animal! So cool!
I know that my girls would really enjoy the Mickey Mouse Clubhouse app!
I love the technology available for kids! I want to get the Pumilumi and drawing book…Thanks for the info – theses are GREAT apps.
Ah Squiggle! Where were you when my 9 year old was 2 and we were waiting anywhere for any length of time?…