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We live in a technology driven world and smart phones are a part of our children's landscapes. Inevitably they will want access to their parents phones or tablets and this isn't always a bad thing.
There are so many apps that are educational as well as fun that can keep your child occupied when you need 10 minutes to do something important or when you're sitting in a doctor's waiting room or every parent's worst nightmare - flying on a plane.
Check out these fun apps below.
LEGO Duplo Trains and Food
LEGO Duplo has a whole range of apps for toddlers but my son's favourite two are the trains and the food. Because it covers all his bases: vehicles, ice cream and cakes.
With the Train game, they have to build their train which can either be a people mover, a goods mover or a coal mover. It can also be a combination of the three.Your kid will learn what different kind of trains do and also there are building parts where you have to use LEGO blocks.
With LEGO Food your child learns about opening a shop, serving customers and cleaning up afterwards. Each customer comes to the window and has an order and your child has to make it according to the picture. My son has not mastered this yet because he wants to make his own things but still gets a little confetti after he's completed one.
Price: Free
Download LEGO Trains: Android| iOS
Download LEGO Food: Android| iOS
Peppa Pig Paintbox
My son loved Peppa Pig and her little brother George. With this app they can paint with either Peppa or George. The only difference between the two is the types of stickers that you can add to your picture. George has all the things he loves: dinosaurs, cars, buses, helicopters and trains while Peppa has ducks, kites, her Teddy Bear and party paraphernalia.
They both have all the other characters and friends available including Mommy Pig, Daddy Pig, Mrs. Rabbit and all the school friends name a few. Aside from the blank canvas there are also different scenes to choose from: Peppa's house, the classroom and the beach. Or you can choose to paint a picture of Peppa herself.
You can save your kids masterpieces once they're done.
Price: Free
Download: Android| iOS
Kids Toddler Learning Games
For some reason my son loves this app. It's quite repetitive but it has 10 mini games teaching your child numbers, letters, fruits, vegetables, animals, shapes and colours.
After each few rounds they get a mystery animal prize to uncover. My only gripe with the game is the awkwardly placed ads that are easy for little fingers to tap on by accident.
Price: Free
Download: Android
Toonia TwinMatch: Mahjongg
I originally downloaded this app for myself because I love Mahjongg. But when my 2-year-old saw it on one of my home screens he wanted to play it. This one is a very simplified version with fruits on the picture tiles.
It teaches your kid how to match things and while he did get frustrated at first (love loves double tapping instead of touching once) he eventually got it. Kids pick up things very fast so you might need a little patience in the beginning.
In app purchases include different themed tiles.
Price: Free
Download: Android| iOS
Breathe, Think, Do with Sesame
Young children are facing big challenges every day. Even putting on their shoes can be very frustrating. My son is at an age where he is asserting his independence more and more. He wants to do things for himself without help from an adult. This Sesame Street app teaches them the concept of "Breath. Think. Do" to help with problem solving skills.
I like that you can personalise the app with your voice so your child hears you telling them the encouraging phrases like "Think of a plan!", "Keep thinking!" and "You've almost got a plan!" to help them along.
Price: Free
Download: Android| iOS
My Very Hungry Caterpillar
If your child is a fan of The Very Hungry Caterpillar then they will really enjoy this app. You have to hatch and feed your own little caterpillar. It's a beautiful app and the music is not annoying like most kids apps.
Price:
Android - Trial: Free. Full App: R55
iOS - $3.99
Download: Android| iOS
What are your kids favourite apps? Send us an email to chatback@parent24.com and let us know.
