“Mr. Hat and the Magic Cube” is a new interactive game for children involving kids being transported to a magical world after playing with a mysterious cube. They can’t go home until they help Mr. Hat find the cube’s stolen pieces.

This app combines both animation and games that help teach spelling and vocabulary, counting, matching, dexterity, and puzzles, getting more difficult each time you play. Being plot-heavy for a kids app, “Mr. Hat and the Magic Cube” contains 3D animated video clips rivaling those of serious adult games.

I do think, however, that it takes too long to be able to go home for a children’s game, and I found it to be tiring and a bit frustrating, even for an adult. I like that the app saves your progress, but when you solve the game, I really wish it would start over from the beginning.

Putting these issues aside, I really enjoy the magical world the developers have created. Part Willy Wonka, part Dr. Seuss, this world is trippy and maybe even a little creepy for some parents. I find this refreshing compared to the other soft and fuzzy learning apps we play. I am curious to see what happens in the next “Mr. Hat” application.

By Age Range, By App Feature, Counting, Language, Matching, Math, Phonics, Preschool, Puzzle, Reviews, Spelling

“Magnetic Alphabet for iPad” is an Ipad app designed like the toy every kid enjoyed playing with – the magnetic board with letters and numbers magnets. This toy has been updated for the iPad to include both lower and upper case letters, numbers, various shapes and even grammar magnetics so now you can write full sentences out correctly. There are also six different colors to choose from. You can also save your work to your iPad or share it on Facebook.

I am pleased that you can use all the characters over and over again because to spell out my son’s full name, we need multiples of some letters, and this is difficult with the original toy. My son, 2.5 years, really enjoys spreading out the different pieces on the board as we work on phonics and has taken my lead, now choosing “m’s” for mom and “d’s”  for dad, telling me he is spelling these words.

It is nice that there are apps like this for parents who prefer their kids to play with traditional, battery-free toys while still embracing the new technology of the iPad. Plus, there are no pieces to lose or pick up off the floor!

Art, By Age Range, By App Feature, Creativity, Just For Fun, Language, Preschool, Primary School, Reviews, Spelling, Toddlers

The wait is FINALLY over and our friends Madera the Monkey and Figaro the Frog have returned… this time to Save The Day! (Duh-da-da daaaa!) “Madera & Figaro Save The Day” is the story of two silly friends who join forces to help their community after a large storm has hit their fair city. Their mission is to help restore the city in time for the big party. An impressive follow-up to publisher Lyn & Line’s first application entitled “The Rescue of Ginger”, this app is supersized with more story, more interactive features, and many more learning opportunities. It’s the most interactive storybook app I’ve experienced yet and provides a perfect symmetry of educational game play and story. It’s a rich source of learning opportunities for young kids including elements that teach sizes, shapes, letters, numbers, colors, and matching. It’s packed full of original interactive features and games, too. Designers have crafted the app so that the sequence of questions are randomized, thereby capturing and keeping the attention of young ones who play this application over and over again. It has vivid HD illustrations that are designed to work on both the iPad and iPhone. What a treat!

Animals, By Age Range, By App Feature, Counting, Language, Matching, Phonics, Preschool, Puzzle, Reading, Reviews, Shapes, Sounds, Spelling, Toddlers

For “Spelling Bubble”, you tap on bubbles to spell a Word. There are 3 game modes – Ruby, Emerald and Sapphire, and 12 word categories. When you spell 12 words correctly, you earn a gem stone. Collect 12 gem stones and you will be rewarded with a stamp for your colorful score card. The Ruby level has the word and the definition on the screen to help the child learn the word; when he/she is confident enough, there is an option to remove the word with the definition remaining and a question mark indicating how many letters. The Emerald and Sapphire Gem levels are a bit more challenging and fewer hints are available. The fun part is trying to spell the word while the bubbles are moving and earning a stamp for the score card. I find the picture graphics and the music pleasant and calming. This spelling app is awesome because it encourages children to sound out the words. My 3rd and 4th grade children have given me the silent seal of approval by playing it over and over again, and this makes me smile because they’re learning.

By Age Range, Middle School, Preschool, Primary School, Reviews, Spelling

If you’re a fan of apps by Duck Duck Moose (like the acclaimed “Wheels on the Bus” and “Itsy Bitsy Spider’), then you’ll absolutely flip for the publisher’s newest app. “Fish School” is a toddler/preschooler-based application that’s packed full of age-appropriate lessons and games. Lesson topics include letters, numbers, shapes, and colors; there’s also a matching and “differences” game. Each activity features groups of brilliantly-colorful fish that school together in various patterns for their instruction. The musical accompaniment is delightful classical string instrumentation that offers a high-brow soundtrack to this magical app. I find there’s a plucky playfulness about “Fish School” that makes it equally enjoyable for kids and parents alike. My son enjoys watching the active and ever-changing “fishies”, participating in the “ABC” song, and counting. I’m impressed with how this app has struck a perfect balance of game play and learning opportunities. “Fish School” engages my son’s adventurous, spirited-side, all the while, keeping his attention and interest in learning fundamentals like counting and letters. Admittedly, I have selfish reasons for liking this app. Watching the vibrant fish in the cool, crystalline blue water is like a mini-vacation for this tired Mama. All I need is the sensation of powdery sand beneath my feet and a cold beverage in my hand, and I’ll have the perfect virtual beach escape. Ahhhhh….

By Age Range, By App Feature, Counting, Just For Fun, Language, Matching, Phonics, Preschool, Reviews, Shapes, Sounds, Spelling, Toddlers

“At The Zoo!” is an educational animal identification game that can be played in three different modes. There is the automatic mode (a slideshow where different animals are identified by name and occasionally accompanied by a sound), manual mode (similar to automatic mode, but with manual advancement and written names), and quiz mode (where the narrator asks the player to identify the correct creature from four different choices). “At The Zoo” is designed for very young children who are just learning to recognize, speak, and spell the names of various living creatures. The quiz mode allows the app to feel like a game, but otherwise it’s essentially an extensive deck of virtual flashcards. I especially appreciate the brilliant and vivid photographs that were wisely chosen to represent a generous selection of mammals, insects, reptiles, amphibians, and sea critters – 75 in total. This is a smartly-designed application created to fulfill the curiosity and capabilities of toddlers and preschoolers, and it’s a definite hit with my little guy.

Animals, By Age Range, By App Feature, Phonics, Preschool, Reading, Reviews, Spelling, Toddlers

“Buubuu Jumble Zoo” is a puzzle-flashcard application geared toward toddlers and preschoolers just learning to speak and read. The application displays seven zoo animals and two human characters, and can be played in several different ways. You can play as a jumble puzzle by sliding through the selections to match the three correct anatomical parts; when the puzzle is solved, the animal is displayed in his native environment. The other option allows you to view the animals in flashcard mode with the identifying name. You can customize the app by recording your own voice or sound to identify the animals/characters, or you can change the settings for the creature’s name to be displayed in up to eight different languages. The artwork and graphics are delightful and aesthetically pleasing, and the sound recording feature is intuitive and easy-to-use. However, there are a couple of things I found challenging: the settings are difficult to navigate and there aren’t many different animals offered, but the option to customize the experience (such as puzzle vs. flashcards, record your own voice, and learn animals in different languages) helps to compensate for what’s lacking in zoo resident variety. My son and I hope V 1.1 will include some of our best-liked zoo animals… an elephant, zebra, rhino, and gorilla.

Animals, By Age Range, By App Feature, Language, Phonics, Preschool, Puzzle, Reading, Reviews, Sounds, Spelling, Toddlers

I grew up playing board games and one of my top picks has always been the crossword game of “Scrabble”. For months now, my husband has been raving about this app and challenging me to try it. He’s invited me to play using the “Facebook connect” feature and by Wifi, but I’ve had other apps at hand, so he usually ends up playing against himself. Well, finally, we gave it a go and I now see why he’s so enamored. Compared to most applications I’ve experienced, “Scrabble” is highly-polished, flashy, glitzy, and glamorous, with a sophisticated and involved interface, and an upbeat electronic soundtrack. My favorite features include the statistics tab (that allows you to track your best word, best turn, wins and losses) and the “teacher feature” that shows you the best words you could have chosen. The later option injects the game with an opportunity to grow and learn… I’m always striving to expand my mind. I haven’t had much experience with “Scrabble” for the iPhone, but so far it’s been positive. I noticed that many reviewers on iTunes thought the game was fraught with bugs that interfered with game play, but that hasn’t been my experience so far. Admittedly, I was taken back by the price (currently listed at $4.99) but – considering the entertainment value my husband and I can enjoy together – it’s a palatable investment.

By Age Range, By App Feature, High School +, Just For Fun, Language, Middle School, Primary School, Reading, Reviews, Spelling

This unique application targets young kids who are acquiring basic vocabulary and early language skills. “Learn to Talk” facilitates lessons with 160 interactive audio flashcards developed by a speech pathologist and is thoughtfully designed to progress based on how toddlers typically learn patterns of speech and language. My son and I are currently working on the first lesson which is “high impact words”; these are comfort words and the first building blocks toward further language progression. Next, the application moves through label/object words, one word actions, and finally, to two word actions. The user should carefully read the directions to fully utilize the multitude of features offered as it extends the use of these cards and challenges children to master new skills. My son is developing language skills at a typical rate, but I can see how this would be an invaluable tool for caregivers working with kids who are developmentally-delayed or impaired, or with children in multilingual households. Overall, I’m a fan of this app but I must admit that I found it a bit challenging to navigate the interface settings and features. A young child might get confused and frustrated without the assistance of an adult helping them.

By Age Range, By App Feature, Language, Phonics, Preschool, Reading, Reviews, Spelling, Toddlers

8 Planets Pro has discovered a unique niche with an educational science game uniting astronomy and game play. The application includes four games with topics including: planet names, spelling, “black hole” (planet identification), and matching. The design of this application makes it an especially powerful learning tool since each “game” or level of play builds on the preceding activity, thereby reinforcing what has been taught/learned and challenging the knowledge in a new way. For example, the first game introduces each planet by name, position from the sun, and illustration. The following game shows a picture of each planet and a partial spelling, reviewing what has just been taught. The last two games playfully quiz the player with games focusing on identification and matching. Each game independently can be hours of entertainment, but collectively these games form a cohesive, instructive and illuminating science lesson. I’m amazed at how a creative approach to learning can invigorate a seemingly dry topic. Stargazers will unite and delight over 8 Planets Pro.

By Age Range, By App Feature, Matching, Preschool, Primary School, Reviews, Science, Spelling