In today’s fast-paced,
tech-driven world, savvy parents have turned to mobile apps to entertain (read:
occupy and distract) children. However, apps can also serve as learning tools. In
the spirit of on-the-go enrichment, we’ve come up with our top 15 educational
apps for children.
GENERAL APP
Sesame
Street: The Playground: Can you
tell me how to get to Sesame Street? Now everyone’s favorite place is easily
accessible via this kid-friendly app. Elmo must catch a lost puppy in this
fully illustrated original Sesame Street story. The app includes a coloring
book, Elmo’s Everyday Words and Big Bird’s Big Ideas, which teaches your little
one new vocabulary. Ages: 4 and up
SPELLING APPS
Alphabet
Animals: This fully animated,
interactive app is perfect for toddlers who are just beginning to learn their
ABCs. Each letter of the alphabet features a colorful animal flashcard that
moves and makes sounds. Alphabet Animals is an easy way to teach tots their
letters, while monkey-ing around. Ages:
3 and up
WordGirl
Word Hunt: By Scholastic Inc.,
this hunt builds children’s vocabulary skills in a new and exciting way. In this
creative app, evil villains have taken over the city and your child must save
the day by collecting the correct words. With 20 Wordgirl stories and over 100
definitions to learn, this vocab tester is sure to challenge. Ages: 4-8
MATH APPS
Tally Tots: Teaches toddlers how to count to 20 in
an easy-to-use format. Each number is explained using sound and animation. The
number 7 is introduced with a seven-layered sandwich, the number 2, by two
racecars speeding on a racetrack. Guaranteed to keep little ones occupied for
hours! Ages: 3-6
Park
Math: Teaches pre-school through
first grade children basic arithmetic skills, like sequencing and addition, via
seven entertaining animal-based games in the great outdoors. This app features
two stages of difficulty (three for iPad users) so kids can play at their own
skill level. It also includes the music of popular nursery rhymes like “This
Old Man” and “Here We Go Round the Mulberry Bush.” Ages: 3-7
WRITING APPS
Super Why!: Based on the hit PBS kids show, this
versatile app includes a variety of literacy games. Kids can choose from
selections such as Wonder Red’s Rhyming Time, in which Wonder Red must find the
missing rhyming words from her basket, and Super Why’s Story Saver, where
children can help Super Why select words that complete the sentences in the
story. Players are rewarded with virtual stickers that can be collected in
their very own “sticker book.” Ages: 3-6
iWriteWords: Kids can improve their handwriting
with this unique game. Using their finger to trace the dotted lines of 70 words
and 20 numbers, iWriteWords enhances writing skills and coordination. For added
interactive fun, turn your iOS device and watch as the current word slides off
the screen to reveal the next one. Ages:
4 and up
SCIENCE APPS
8 Planets
Pro: Outer Space never looked so
good. 8 Planets Pro lets little scientists explore space without leaving the
couch. They can choose from an array of activities like placing the planets in
their correct order and filling in the missing letters in each planet’s name.
Parents can also view a report card detailing their child’s “out of this world”
progress. Ages: 5 and up
National
Geographic Kids: Introduce your
kids to the worlds of natural science and world culture. Purchasing this app
gains access to National Geographic Kids
magazine and its fascinating
articles. But the fun doesn’t stop there! Additionally, there are “weird-but-true
facts,” games, puzzles, jokes and quizzes for the whole family. Ages: 6 and up
HISTORY APPS
American
Museum of Natural History: Dinosaurs:
Watch dinosaurs come to life! In the app’s Dinosaurs Mosaic section,
children can view more than 800 images from the Museum’s extensive fossil
archive. Each photo includes information about the paleontologist who unearthed
the fossil, as well as facts about individual dinosaurs. In the Stories
section, kids can listen to tales detailing even more dino-ventures. Ages: 8 and up
Revolutionary
War: Combining historic paintings,
multimedia presentations, and first-hand accounts, this app takes kids back in
time to the days of the American Revolution. A “revolutionary” new app with
sections like Causes of the War, Major Battles and Events, and Myths and
Stories, there are also 200 biographies of the key players. Plus, you and the
kids won’t want to miss your peek at the past reading letters between John and
Abigail Adams. Ages: 12 and up
FOREIGN LANGUAGE APP
Global
Roos Elementary Translation: A
great learning tool for children who are becoming familiar with a second
language. The app features 10 fundamental phrases in 8 languages including:
French, German, Korean and Sign Language. Budding linguists will be able to
learn key words like “hello,” “goodbye,” “thank you,” and “friend.” Ages: 4 and up
MUSIC & MUSIC THEORY APPS
Drum Circle Kids: A percussion game that allows
youngsters to bang on five instruments including the conga, Chinese drum and
Caribbean steel pan. Little ones can simply jam out to dozens of sound
combinations or touch each instrument to learn about its history. They can also
uncover ambient sounds hidden in the scenery. Ages: 3 and up
Pianist: Your little one will thoroughly enjoy
this music app that transforms your iPhone into a full-size keyboard. Pianist
features lifelike graphics including keys that depress at the touch of a hand
and a metronome to keep track of the rhythm. The best part? Kids can record
their own compositions and play them back for all to hear. Ages: 3 and up
BONUS APPS FOR PARENTS
iKidNY: Parents can access tons of pertinent
NYC info using this handy app. Created by a New York City mother, iKidNY offers
directions and information on indoor activities, outdoor adventures, subway
elevators and family restaurants. Perfect for moms and dads on-the-go!
MyCityWay:
Designed to make life a little easier by helping parents locate the nearest
wireless hotspot areas, purchase movie tickets and check live traffic cams to
ensure fast traveling. With apps for cities like New York, London and Paris,
this is a must-have guide for busy urban families.
All apps are available for purchase on
the iTunes website.
Five
Websites For Worldly Wisdom
Nick Jr. Boost: A new website from Nickelodeon where, for a small monthly
membership fee, children can play fun, educational games. Featuring kids’
favorite Nick Jr. characters such as Dora and the Backyardigans, the games engage
math, literacy, science, computer skills and more. Plus, there is a Parent
Center where adults can check on (and encourage!) their children’s progress in
each category. Ages: 3-6
TIME for Kids: The magazine’s website specifically
designed for intellectually curious juniors. It features games and articles on
national news and entertainment stories. There’s even a Homework Helper that
provides educational links for children in subjects like science, math, social
studies, and language arts. Also, kids should check out the Writing Help
section for tips on how to write top-notch papers. Ages: 7 and up
Wonderopolis: Children with curious minds will love Wonderopolis, a website
founded by the National Center for Family Literacy, that answers head
scratchers like, “How Do Dinosaurs Get Their Names?” and “How Can You Talk
Without Speaking?” Every day features a new “wonder,” a short article on
anything from history to government and food to the weather. Ages: 7 and up
DOGO News: This website offers kid-friendly news articles on various topics
like sports, the environment, and international affairs. DOGO (meaning “young”
in Swahili) News provides an enriching platform for children to stay informed
on the latest of the web in a safe, friendly environment. They can even post
comments on the site’s monitored message board. Ages: 8 and up
Kids Post: Kids Post is the Washington Post’s youth news website where children can read
up-to-date articles, play games, complete jigsaw puzzles, and vote on polls. It
is a terrific tool for school or a way for idle minds to pass some time with
web enrichment. Ages: 8 and up
