Of all the Osmo Gaming System game apps, we loved Words best of all. (Go figure. I'm a writer, what can I say.) Osmo sees something physically on your table and instantaneously recognizes it on the screen. Choose from four apps about math, words, drawing, and invention. It's amazingly innovative and like that it provides the interactive experience parents want with technology. Review of … [Read more...]
Stop the Summer Slide with Educational Apps
Are you keeping your kids learning this summer? Beat any boredom blues and keep your kids' minds engaged with educational apps. Educational Apps Grandpa in Space $1.99 Grandpa in Space is SO CUTE with lots of learning! Pick a planet, build a rocket to take you there, watch videos of real astronauts, do math addition problems, learn facts about the planet, play games like match up the … [Read more...]
Beautiful iPad Story App: Rom and the Whale
"Many years ago, before our parents and grandparents were born, there was a Kingdom of gypsies called Numia . . . " So begins the magical story of Prince Rom and the Whale of Dreams, an iPad picture book story app for children. In this beautifully illustrated and written story, we hear the whispers of the wind, the tinkling notes of music, and the lilting voice of a female … [Read more...]
Kid-Tested, Parent-Approved App Guide for Kids
written by Michel Kripalani, president and CEO of Oceanhouse Media So parents, you finally caved and bought your kids an iPad or tablet for Christmas- or maybe you bought one for yourself. And now you need an app guide. Because you have already found that your kids log far more time on it than you? You’re not alone. Now it’s time to load up the device with great apps to keep your kids … [Read more...]
Playful Learning Apps
Playful Learning Apps TOCA Cars $.99 Create your own city or drive around a pre-made cardboard 3D-looking city. It's a bit disorienting and my kids aren't as crazy about this app like the other Toca apps. TOCA Builders $2.99 Toca Builders is like Mindcraft-lite because kids get to build their own worlds and buildings. It's a fun way to create and be creative. Both my kids like … [Read more...]
Co-creative Storyworld Inspires Reading, Writing and Drawing
Get your fantasy-fan kids motivated to create and imagine with art, writing, and the promise of toys! Addison's Tales from Wivern Digital inspires kids with a recently launched competition that will turn a child's made-up story character into a toy --every month until the end of December! Addison's Tales Competition 1. Kids, parents and teachers: Visit the new and beautifully designed … [Read more...]
Learning Apps for Kids
For practicing math facts or fun science experiments here's my new list of recommended learning apps for kids. Kid-Approved Educational iPad Apps Moose Math $3.99 Despite the fact that Moose Math is an app designed for K and 1st grade, both my 8 and 11 year old think this app rocks -- because it's FUN! :) The gist is to build cool things for your own city while practice counting, addition, … [Read more...]
14 New iPad Books for Kids
You know me, I'm a big believer that reading is reading is reading -- comic books, newspaper, ipad books, . . . all reading counts. Last year after reviewing iPad books for the Cybils I had serious burn out -- there were (are) some awful books out there! But, I've recently found good iPad books for kids I can recommend to you. 14 in fact. Hope these give you some new ideas for reading. Where … [Read more...]
40 STEM Apps for Kids (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math)
Ready for the best STEM (science, technology, engineering, math) apps for kids? Just remember that most ipad apps, with a few exceptions, won't instruct your child. They will however, give him or her practice, repetition, and reinforcement. After you read this, visit: STEM / STEAM YouTube Channels for Elementary Kids and STEM / STEAM Gifts for Kids. STEM Math Apps for Kids Rush Hour - … [Read more...]
24 Literacy Learning Apps for Kids
As I started a go-to list of the best learning apps for kids, the list got so long, I split up my posts into categories. So, today we'll start with my favorite apps for literacy -- reading and writing for toddlers, preschoolers, and elementary-age kids. Also, I've included special needs iPad app resources at the end of this post. Learning Apps 1. BrainPOP Featured Movie - BrainPOP® I'm very … [Read more...]
Soup Scoop – Best Links of the Week
How was your week!? Mine was a whirlwind of freelance assignments and new projects. It's exciting to reach a tipping point. In fact, many of you have written to ask me how I transitioned from teacher to writer so I will blog about that soon. Hope you find these articles useful -- enjoy the weekend! Won't someone come out and play? (my guest post) on Kaboom Puzzle Play Helps Boost … [Read more...]
Biography Apps for Kids
Thank you to who?Comics for sponsoring this post and encouraging my child to read biographies in comic book form! Please click here to learn more about the app. And follow who? Comics on Twitter for updates. I love encouraging kids to read biographies in February since it includes President's Day and is Black History Month. So when offered the chance to check out the who?Comic biographies, the … [Read more...]