Here’s our list of top tot-friendly apps (under $2.99) to help your little ones enjoy reading, singing, learning shapes, solving math problems, or simply just having some quiet fun time!
Topple, Iphone App Screenshot
Topple; Free ($1.99 paid version eliminates ads): This is a Tetris-like game where you have to fit colorful shapes together as they fall from the top of the screen. 4 years and up
TonePad; Free (.99cents for Pro version): TonePad is a fun way to make music and watch a colorful light show. The Pro version allows you to save your tones as cellphone ringtones. 4 years and up
Bubbles: This application is made for toddlers who need a fun distraction. It brings the simple pleasure of popping bubbles to your phone.
Cute Math; $1.99: Cute Math offers seven simple math games, perfectly animated. 3-6 years and up
Curious George Coloring Book: This application includes over 40 unique coloring pages to choose from. You can store your child’s artwork in a gallery to use or e-mail it to friends and family later.
Grover’s Number Special; $2.99: As Sesame Street’s first iPhone app. it lets kids make meals by counting ingredients that they catch by sliding the iPhone back and forth. 2 years and up
Pattern Recognition; .99cents: Pattern recognition offers different versions based on age (pre-K, kindergarten, first grade, etc.). Rows of colored shapes appear in sequences and kids have to complete them. 4 years and up
Mimi the Counting Monkey; .99cents: This jungle-themed counting game lets kids count bananas and drag over the corresponding number card. App offers three play levels: simple counting, addition, and complex math problems. 3-6 years and up
Mr. Roger’s Make a Journal; $1.99: The idea of paper journals takes a digital turn. Pre-schoolers use illustrated templates to create themed “journals.” Then they can color a page using an array of drawing tools. The finished project can then be saved and exported to the iPhone’s camera roll. 3-6 years and up
Clifford’s BE BIG with Words; .99cents: This app features Clifford and his friends as kids learn to spell words. Kids choose from a selection of letters, and once they spell a word, an illustration of the word appears on the screen. 2-6 years and up
The Little Red Hen; .99cents: The Little Red Hen is a storybook app (read in English, Spanish or Chinese) that features a child reading this classic tale of a little hen whose friends won’t help her bake bread but are happy to eat it. 2 years and up
Learn to Talk: This app uses flash cards to facilitate language development in one- to three-year-old children. It uses both sight and sound to teach toddlers basic vocabulary and early language skills.
LetterTracer; .99cents: LetterTracer can easily become a child’s favorite. This app offers a simple white screen with a letter on it. The bonus feature is that kids can draw freehand anywhere on the screen. 2-6 years and up
Peekaboo Barn: This app is a barn adventure that makes learning fun for your toddler. It teaches barn animals names, in either English or Spanish , as well as the sounds each animal makes.
Tozzle-Toddler’s Favorite Puzzle: This app keeps toddlers engaged as they learn shape recognition and motor activity. You can choose from 20 different puzzle pictures, complete with sound effects.
FirstWords; $1.99 ($4.99 for deluxe set): FirstWords is an interactive flashcard game. It shows an animated graphic and asks kids to arrange scrambled letters to spell the word. This app offers different sets for animals, vehicles, home and holidays. 4-7 years and up
Tic Tac Toe, Iphone App Screenshot
Tic Tac Toe; Free: Tic Tac Toe is always a fun game. This app comes with one- and two-player mode, and can be personalized with your child’s name. 4 years and up
Touch Hockey: FS5; Free ($1.99 paid version eliminates ads): This is a simple app from developer Flipside 5, Inc. It’s an air hockey-style game, like the kind you would see at an arcade. 4 years and up
The iKids Play – Caterpillar’s Dream: This app features a variety of activities for children. It includes a coloring book, a video storybook, digital finger painting, and a feature for your child to read, record, and playback a story.
Face Goo; .99cents (free version available): This app lets kids stretch and twist any photo into all sorts of wacky shapes. Just give your iPhone a shake and watch your picture move and transform. 4 years and up
Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D; $2.99: Crash Bandicoot Nitro Kart 3D is a simple racing game from Activision. Just tilt to steer. 4 years and up
Doodle Jump; .9cents (free version available): Doodle Jump offers easy controls. All you have to do is tilt to move and tap the screen anywhere to shoot. 4 years and up
Bumblebee Touchbook: This app offers a fun way to help your child learn to read. Animation and narration of words and sentences creates a fun and educational way to occupy your toddler’s time while still helping them learn.
Tappy Tunes; .99cents: Tappy Tunes is a parent- and kid-friendly app. It offers over 20 classics like “Itsy Bitsy Spider” and “Frere Jacques.” Kids simply tap the screen to make the music come alive. 2 years and up
Wheels on the Bus, Iphone App Screenshot
Wheels On The Bus; $1.99: Wheels On The Bus is a virtual songbook app that takes children through the classic “Wheels on the Bus” tune. It offers illustrations and images to interact with. 3 years and up
Toddler JukeBox; $1.99: The Toddler JukeBox offers five classic tunes like “Shoulders, Knees and Toes” and “Working on the Railroad” encouraging kids to sing along. 2 years and up
Five Little Monkeys; .99.cents: Five Little Monkeys is an interactive app that offers only one song, but comes in three versions: country, rock and pop. The subtitles to the song make it a breeze to sing-along. 2-4 years and up
Preschool Music; .99.cents: Preschool Music offers a variety of interactive environments, such as Sea Beats (a virtual musical aquarium); Singing Birds; Singing Sheep; and Note Maker(a piano and singing parrot that teaches your child musical composition). 2-4 years and up
Kidzongs: This is a simple sing-a long app to keep your child entertained for hours. It features six different songs, complete with an animal lyrics page. Great for tots.
