So I started this series not knowing that this is how it was going to end up, a series. I have told you about top apps I totally rate to improve your life and blogging. Now I bring you top apps for toddlers.
Yep, I am one of those mothers. I completely take the iPad to restaurants to keep my kids happy. Hell yes I let them play apps to encourage a bit of quiet time. I even recommend the sturdiest of iPad cases to combat wear and tear (it’s a must buy!). I think a bit of controlled iPad or tablet time is a very good thing for kids and it has only been a positive in our house.
I will ignore the obsessive watching of egg opening YouTube channels.
I am always on the look out for fun, yet educational apps for Ari to play. There are some that I completely believe got him kicking butt on counting and helping out his hand-eye coordination.
You will notice that not many of the below apps are free but I have tried lots of freebie ones and the old ‘you get what you pay for’ most often applies.
Here are some of the best apps I have found for kids under 5 years.
MooBaa $2.49 for iPhone and iPad
This one is for the little ones. Filled with beautiful animated illustrations, MooBaa is perfect in its simplicity. Just as the title suggests this app is a selection of cute animals and when tapped they make their sounds. Cute and simple. Perfect to swipe on when the interest in your phone wins out. Also a good one for the shopping trolly if the crank kicks in.
Nighty Night $5.99 for iPad and Android
Nighty Night is a bedtime story app for kids. It has fantastic graphics and lots of tap for action areas. The activity part of the app is putting all the animals to bed by clicking on any lights. As you go around you enter rooms, barns and the fish pond to visit all animals. There is an intro and an ending once everyone is in bed. I saw it promoted for helping kids go to bed and stay there but we just play it anytime. I prefer reading a real book before bed and this doesn’t get substituted for screen time.
Toddler Counting 123 free for iPhone, iPad and Android
This where I think Ari’s counting really kicked up a gear. Toddler counting 123 is a simple counting app (duh!) that you tap and count with numerals as well as written word. It has interesting pics like snails, seahorses, vans and compasses that expand the children’s knowledge base. Not a farm animal in sight! Also a good one to get counting past 10 as this app goes up to 20. The lady’s voice isn’t grating either like you can find on some educational apps.
Play School Play Time free for iPad
In this app you get Humpty ready for his birthday party by doing things like getting him dressed, baking a cake and blowing up balloons. It does have a time telling aspect to it as Humpty goes about his day and other educational parts like sight words and hand-eye coordination but for kids this app just makes it fun.
Space Explorer $3.79 for iPad and Android
Space Explorer is one of a few Sago Mini apps that we have that all basically do the same thing except it is a different animal in a different place. I could call on the hand-eye coordination again but really it is just fun dragging the dog through space stopping at different points to watch what happens. If you don’t like farts or poop then maybe it isn’t for you but kids think that stuff is funny. The Sago Mini apps are always used if we are without wifi and Ari is persisting to watch something on YouTube. I can often sway him with this.
Toca House $3.99 for iPad
Toca House is made by some very creative people at Toca Boca AB who have a swag of apps available for iPad. All that we have tried are quite good but this is my favourite. The graphics are pretty cool and it has great attention to detail. Toca House is basically a multicultural share house where you iron, mop floors, sort mail and rake leaves. It has been made to encourage cleanliness and household chores. I am still waiting for the cross over into real life but I am sure it will happen…
Breath Think Do with Sesame free for iPhone, iPad and Android
OK this one hasn’t been so successful in our house but I wanted to include it because I think the concept is great and who knows it could be understood a little in a few months. Breath Think Do with Sesame helps teach children skills such as problem solving, self-control, planning and task persistence. Through a number of activities you help sesame monsters make good choice and calm down with deep breathing exercises. There are a lot more different aspects of the app that I haven’t even got to you because Ari’s attention span with it currently is pretty short but I think it would be great value to kindy kids and even lower primary school aged kids.
Do you have any apps that you rate for kids?
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This is really cool, thanks Karin. My boy doesn’t play with any apps yet but he’s overly interested in my phone so I think I’ll have to give a couple of these a try! Ta xx
Thanks Lauren. It keeps them occupied instead of randomly calling people in your contacts. x
This is great. My little one loves Toca Kitchen so I am keen to check out what else they have. And you are right, you tend to get what you pay for with apps.
We have Toca Kitchen too. Ari loves it but I prefer Toca House. LOL
What’s with the egg opening? There is a lot of that going on in our house too!! We have Play School, that’s a real winner & I’ve heard the Toca stuff is great so I’ll def check that one out!! xx
It is an epidemic Shan 😀
These looks ace. They will make our goddaughter very h-appy! I love that they can learn and play at the same time.
The pun queen! 😀 x
Good post.. might need to revisit this in a few months time!
People are suggesting some great other ones too in the comments.
I am one of those mums too. Anything to eat my meal in peace! I haven’t thought about putting apps on the ipad for bub to play with. I am just subjecting him to watching endless videos of himself. Time to get downloading. Thanks for this great list!
Ari loves to watch old movies of himself too. They really are a sanity saver at times.
Thank god for iPads! Life savers! I love moobaa, such a cute app. Monkey lunchbox is really cool amd educational and both my kids love most of the Toca apps. Toca tea party, Toca hair salon and Toca trucks. You are so right though, you do get what you pay for! Xx
Toca Trucks! I have not seen this one but sounds like the next big hit!
Awesome! We also have one called I imagine which is a huge hit 🙂 oh, and it’s free 🙂
Cool! I am off to check it out.
These are fab – downloading the last one right now.
Thanks and enjoy
Moo Baa was a hit when my boy was a bit younger, and all the Toca apps too. They have been lifesavers at various times. Forest Flyer is one that he finds amusing these days.
Yes we have Forest Flyer too. Moo Baa is just so cute.
YAY, thanks, my youngest usually just plays the older kids’ games but love these ones – thanks x
I downloaded some of the Toca ones for older kids the other day because they are on sale but my 3 year old isn’t quite there yet. x
Love the Nighty Night app, such a cute concept to it. Plus the Sago Mini Apps are fantastic, I love the one where the bird flies around the forest – too cute! My 3 year old loves the Max and Ruby Apps as well plus Squish from Mickey Mouse Club House.. He also plays all of the older kids apps as well such as Minecraft, Lego Marvel and Plants Vs. Zombies..
We love Forest Flyer too. My son talks about Minecraft but has never actually played it. It is amazing where they pick up things. Will have to check out those other suggestions.
SOoo many goodies!! I have no problem with some screen time for the kids, we mainly use the iPad for chill out with movies so I think it’s time for some apps. These will be awesome. Thank you! Jx
I really love the iPad app if we don’t have wifi for some reason. Saviour! x
I’ll have to check these out. Great list there Karin. Nanna has some good ones on her iPad. There’s a Disney puzzle one, that’s where my boys got their puzzle love from. Nice quiet and engaging game that one. My phone has In the night garden – that’s my tantrum go to x
There are plenty of times that I have used the iPad for some sort of leverage. 😀 x
Please make those egg opening videos stop – they are like kiddie crack! Great app suggestions. Humpty’s Play Time is a big favourite with Mr TT as is Monkey Preschool Lunchbox.
I am all about the iPad and this article has assuaged the occasional guilt I feel about it, as my 2-and-a-bit year old LOVES it. Trying to keep it at a manageable level and not all day as she’d sit on it all day if allowed. Her favourites are the ABC4Kids iView app which she happily navigates through to find shows to watch, Mister Maker, Bananas in Pyjamas Beach Fun and Bubble Time and a few of the Fisher Price animal and counting ones. She also loves that Toddler Counting 123 app, I find the accent very weird on that, it seems to dip in and out of Australian and American. That’s one thing I’m strict on – Australian or British accents! Apart from apps, she also enjoys looking at photos and video and occasionally FaceTiming Grandma when I’m not paying attention!
There are so many cool apps for the little ones these days. I could have used them when my kids were munchkins… then again we didnt have ipads then. OMG how ancient do I sound lol xx
Yep, there’s no hiding the screen in this house. The kids generally want their daily dose. We have the toddler counting app and it’s a favorite but I will certainly be checking out the others. Thanks for the tips!
The counting app is getting a rerun as favourite at the moment. Enjoy! 🙂
Excellent List Karin. My two tend to just watch tv on the iPad. I should get them some games. Actually Archer loves this Lego one where he builds cars and things. Bugger if I can remember the name of it though haha x
I do sometimes have to remind Ari about the games or he gets sucked down a YouTube vortex!
Oh Karin- it’s like you’re heaven sent?
Been meaning to research apps to entertain my toddler whilst nursing the bambino. You’ve done the hard work for me. You rock!
Glad I can help Shannon. 🙂
Awesome list, there are a couple on here that I haven’t seen before so I will definitely be checking them out, I’m always looking for new apps for the girls. We love the Play School ap and Night Night ( I got it for free a couple of years ago when it was featured on the app store. We also love the two other ABC Kids apps, the Play School art maker and the newest one that has just come out is brilliant!
The new Play School one is fantastic!! I can’t believe it is free!