Train World Builder Full is a very nice universal interactive train application allowing children to build the train of their dreams with an unlimited supply of wood-type train tracks. A lite version is also available.

Among other interests, my son really enjoys trains, specifically building tracks himself. We have a train table and a selection of wood tracks compatible with most major brands which my son has a lot of fun with. I knew this gift would be a hit, but there was some hesitation involved in this purchase as I know how expensive extra tracks are – even used ones found at garage sales.

For this reason, my son and I are really enjoying Train World Builder Full, as this app allows one to build a train with unlimited pieces – an element my son really appreciates as do I.

Four themes are included, including Zoo, Farm, City and the unique Paper World. Three train choices are also included, including a classic wood train, diesel and stream engines.

Once selections are made, children will find it very easy to add pieces to their track, tapping either curved or straight pieces for them to connect in a chain that extends as long as children desire. There is a very nice lack of rules in this open-ended application, with the only constraint given that one can’t build beyond the bounds of the included landscape. Children are able to undo their track choices to work around this concern, and I appreciate the undo button which allows children to change their minds while building.

Also nice is the ability to save their layout to work on later. One can also share a photo of their layout as well.

Another interesting aspect is the ability to drive the train straight through buildings or bodies of water in a way that fascinated my son and still makes me duck slightly as the train makes contact with a building, especially when watching the movement of this train from what would be the POV of the conductor, making me even slightly motion-sick, and I mean this in a good way.

A tap will also show the side of this train from either side, but I would love to see the landscape and track as a whole, looking down onto it as well.

Do note that while in the building stage, children can pinch and zoom the page to see details as well as the landscape at once, as well as using a finger to move the background around the page. This makes it possible to keep the train in view at all times as well as to be able to view these different worlds at many different angles all in a way that will become intuitive with a little bit of experience.

It would be nice to use these functions while watching the train move, however, as well as being able to start, stop, and change speeds of this train would be nice as well.

This application includes a nice 3D effect as well as an old-school computer generated, pixilated and with a sharp-edge esthetic that I am not typically drawn to, but I can’t resist the effortless building of tracks unlimited in length and parts. Music in included that one can silence separately. There are nice atmospheric sound effects that we do enjoy listening to such as distant birds and even the sound of the train moving through water, and my son enjoys the included interactive train whistle as well.

Another cute detail is some creaking as the back trains almost derail when a turn has been made – a realistically fun element that although subtle has caught my eye and makes me smile.

I am impressed by how focused my son is when he builds the track, not really surprised as this all gives him an unlimited number of pieces to work with – something no family would truly be able to afford.

It is also nice that goal-oriented children can try to build a track that would come close to the stars placed within their landscape as one point is given for collecting a star – a nice challenge that my son enjoys.

I appreciate that although this is a very fun challenge, no pressure is placed on children in terms of a timer or high score, and the fact that this app can entertain the right child for hours makes a perfect quiet application.

By Age Range, By App Feature, Creativity, Just For Fun, Preschool, Primary School, Puzzle, Reviews, Toddlers