Look at what I found when I opened the App Store on my phone tonight…
I was quite surprised, as well as pleased, to see “Apps 4 Toddlers” listed as an App Store Essential button on the launch page of the iPhone/iPod Touch App Store. My 3 year old son has been using my old, deactivated, first generation iPhone for the past few months (as well as the past year when it was mine) and he absolutely loves many of the applications in this list!
Some I had heard of before and some were new to me. In the past I have reviewed/mentioned two on the list: Preschool Adventure and Shape Builder (my son’s favorite “Toddler App”).
The list includes (each is a link into the iTunes Store):
1. Monkey Preschool Lunchbox- by THUP Games for $0.99
2. Curious George Coloring Book- by PBS Kids for $2.99
3. Itsy Bitsy Spider- by Duck Duck Moose for $0.99
4. Preschool Adventure- by 3DAL for $0.99
5. Toddler Teasers Quizzing- by Toddler Teasers for $1.99
6. Peekaboo Barn- by Night and Day Studios for $1.99
7. Disney Fairies Fly- by Walt Disney for $4.99
8. Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom- by Nickelodeon for $2.99
9. Shape Builder- by Darren Murtha Design for $0.99
10. Old MacDonald- by LoeschWare for $0.99
The list is a nice blend of toddler focused applications created by independent developers and larger organizations.
Each are worth a look and each have various levels of educational/entertaining content.
What “Toddler App” would you add to this list?
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Anne Taylor
/ October 7, 2009I would definitely add McPea Preschool to this list for sure. My 3 yo son loves it. It’s got counting, shapes and animal rescue. He finds it really fun but challenging at the same time. There are also other great apps that my kids enjoy like KidCalc or Giraffe’s Preschool. In my opinion, this “essentials” list is way too narrow. There are many great toddler apps in the app store, don’t just rely on what they claim to be “essentials”.
Michael
/ October 7, 2009Thanks for the suggestion of McPea Preschool, Giraffe’s Preschool, and KidCalc!
I agree as well that the essentials list is narrow. My hope is however that something like this essentials list turns into an actual category in the App Store. That would at least provide an opportunity for many more apps, like those you suggested, to be found. Currently apps geared toward toddlers are spread out among numerous categories. Friends of mine, with toddlers and iPhones, seldom connect the idea that their iPhone can be something entertaining and educational for their little one! The idea of the “Essentials” list hopefully spurns their interest to explore more and share with others just like how you shared those great apps here!
Thanks again, and if you have another App to share in the future feel free to visit again and share!
Marcus
/ October 7, 2009Have you tried “SmackTalk!”. Toddlers LOVE it. It encourages speech, works in every language, and is totally hilarious. See my website for videos of toddlers playing with SmackTalk!
Brittany
/ October 7, 2009I agree with Anne. There are a lot of really great apps for Toddlers. My younger kids like Alphabet Air… spaceships and airplanes fly through the air as they match lowercase to uppercase letters. After a number of correct answers, they earn a puzzle piece reward. Simple and fun.
Michael
/ October 7, 2009Thanks Brittany for the Alphabet Air suggestion. My son loves planes and spaceships!
Laurent
/ October 7, 2009Too bad PopMath and PopGeo didn’t make it
Michael
/ October 7, 2009Maybe they will have an App Essential list soon for educational apps for kids… not just a list full of educational apps for college students and adults.
Alesha
/ October 7, 2009I love that Apple is starting to acknowledge the kids and parents market. As a mom and an app developer it is especially exciting.
http://www.mommaps.com
CC
/ October 7, 2009Well, I would add “LetterWriter Oceans” to the list, although I admit I’m a bit biased, since I developed it. My wife was unhappy with the quality of apps for our two boys, and so we developed a letter practicing app that fits more with our educational philosophy. (My wife is a PhD in ed tech.)
Basically, we wanted an app that was more like visiting a museum or aquarium and less like watching cartoons, something that celebrates language and the natural world, rather than just being goofy, and “LetterWriter Oceans” was our attempt at that. We’ve tested the game with a lot of kids, but I’d be interested in hearing from other parents what they think. I know it’s pretty different from the more flashy apps that you tend to see on the App Store, which was a bit of a risk, so any feedback would be appreciated.
In terms of apps we didn’t develop, just so we’re not only tooting our own horn, our youngest son likes the Balloon Animals app. He initially had trouble with the “blow to inflate” part, but he likes shaking the iPhone to make the animal, and can interact with the animal from there out.
Our older boy actually enjoys Rolando, which wasn’t made for young kids, but is accessible to him anyway. He can do the first two levels, but I think he most enjoys the playable intro screen and credit sequence.
Michael
/ October 7, 2009Just bought your LetterWriter Oceans application. It is great! I watched the video on your site and I was so impressed I went right into the App Store and swapped it up. I love the lights that guide the user along the path for writing the letter.
Great work!
CC
/ October 8, 2009Thanks! Glad you like the app!
Ouriel Ohayon
/ October 15, 2009we created a nice iPhone widget including stats with all the apps mentioned above. you can embed it if you wish
http://appsfire.com/selection.php?cid=1255587097-611240267&title=Apps+for+toddlers
Ouriel Ohayon
Appsfire
Morgan
/ November 3, 2009I recently finished my animated storybook, Belindra – Vegetable Delivery.
While reading, you can click on the characters and the story animates!
Website: http://www.Belindra.com
YouTube video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYglV_qhrEg
App Store: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewSoftware?id=332123201&mt=8
I hope you like it!
ed
/ February 5, 2010i have what may be a stupid question: how do you find “essentials” lists inside itunes? i have had no luck finding good recommendation lists in itunes – do you just have to be lucky to have checked the app store at the time apple promos it? sites like this fill the void really well, but i have been stumped when trying to search itunes. thanks for any info!
Michael
/ February 18, 2010Usually the "essentials" lists are toward the top in the App Store on the iPhone. In iTunes the suggested lists are typically buttons on the main App Store page. It seems each week the layout changes. I don't blame your frustration!
Jane
/ March 11, 2010I would like to recommend iTouchiLearn Words, it’s an animated twist on flashcards and features engaging animations that teach toddlers and preschoolers about words and associated actions through animation. It includes 2 fun word games that reinforce the words they learned through the animations. Check it out at the App Store: http://itunes.com/apps/itouchilearnwords