The iTunes Store stocked the shelves with its 100 000th app this past week and while there are dozens of apps related to bodily functions that amaze and amuse your kids, there’s a long list that will help them learn and kill time in a checkout line at the same time.
Along with the update to iTunes that better help you sort apps on your iPhone (making it easier to create an entire page dedicated to your kids) came updates to the store to better help find what you’re looking for. If you’ve got kids, the App Store Essential Apps for Toddlers page would be a great starting point. [link opens iTunes]
While watching tv may be nasty for your kids’ development, handing them a smart phone (even as young as 3) could make them smart.
Here’s a video report from the Boston Globe:
If you’re worried about your toddler dropping your iPhone or randomly making calls, picking them up an iPod Touch for Christmas might be a (luxurious) alternative.
Because the iPhone is perfectly sized for little fingers and is operated using colorful icons and an intuitive touch screen rather than a mouse or keyboard, the preliterate preschooler has no trouble making it his own. Before long, he’ll be swiping across the screen with the confidence of a college kid in a coffee shop, leaping from app to app. And he’ll be completely engrossed.
[Boston Globe]
An iPod for a toddler?
It’s not as ridiculous as it first sounds as the apps above are only the tip of the iTunes iceberg, there are hundreds more apps for kids.
What are your favourite iPhone apps for kids?
Photo from Flickr by abbybatchelder
Buzz is married to Jennifer and has 2 sons. Zacharie was born in May 2007 and Charles in January 2010. Buzz is a radio guy who enjoys building bridges between old and new media.
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An iPhone kids application you should check out is iStoryTime. It’s a library of narrated and illustrated kids books for the iPhone. There are 9 books available in the Apple AppStore today: http://www.istorytimeapp.com/appstore With new ones coming out every week.
Great for driving in the car, on the airplane, or at a restaurant waiting for the bill when the kids are going crazy.
Books are $1.99/ea from iTunes and can also be purchased on your phone from anywhere. Great for entertaining the kids in a guilt free way. All the wholesomeness of a book with the convenience of your phone.
Enjoy!
Website: http://www.istorytimeapp.com
On the AppStore: http://www.istorytimeapp.com/appstore
Try TowerSmash! Most of the supposedly kid-friendly apps still have little buttons sprinkled around that are too easy for kids to accidentally touch, and they bring up alerts or end the game or clear the screen or what not.
TowerSmash is simply a simulation of a favorite kid toy – wooden blocks. You tap to stack them up and tap to throw balls to knock them down, and that's it! Simple, educational, and toddlers love it! Even 6 and 8 years olds fight to play it
http://brattonbrothers.com/towersmash/
We like Wheels On The Bus and Little Suitcase. They are fun. There are also a few companies that make board books for kids – very handy and a little more educational – like PicPocketBooks and Tales2Go. Family Matters is also a great game for car travel, it allows the phone family to respond to different questions and elicits some pretty funny responses!
I think that iphone apps, and technology in general, is best used as a tool. So I keep the iphone games on hand for special occasions and short intervals. They are terrific for both my 3 year old and my 6 year old when traveling on planes, waiting in line or at the doctors office. It is amazing how quickly they take to it.
Dr. Seuss iPhone apps are now available. The Cat in the Hat, Dr. Seuss's ABC, How the Grinch Stole Christmas! and more….
http://www.oceanhousemedia.com/drseuss