Toy Story 3 Read Along app for the iPad.
Apps. It’s a wonder how parents ever made it through a long wait at the doctor’s surgery without them. By Apps, of course, I’m referring to applications available from the Apple iTunes store, available for iPod Touch, iPhone or iPad.
There’s apps for drawing, reading, playing games to learning numbers and counting. Play a musical instrument or learn a new language – all from the one device.
But with so many to choose from, where to get started? Here’s a selection of our highest-rated. Click on the name to go through to the iTunes store to buy.
FAVOURITE CHARACTERS
Children can engage with some of their favourite characters from TV and film at the click of a button.
Dora Saves the Crystal Kingdom - Rainbow Ride - Nickelodeon
iPhone/iPodTouch: AUD$3.99
Age 4+
Join Dora on this easy-to-play adventure in which you tilt your phone left and right to steer Dora along a twisty rainbow slide. Ride over crystals to collect them, and count along with Dora with each recovered crystal!
iPad: AUD $9.99
Age 4+
Your little fairy will be blown away by the beautiful artwork that is used in the Disney Fairies Fly app. As children move the iPad left and right the fairies fly through the air, over oceans and forests collecting points. But beware of the thick woods and water hazards, as those will cost you!
Chuggington: Roundhouse Romp - Ludorum
iPhone/iPodTouch: Free
Age: 4+
Train-obsessed pre-schoolers will love playing with Wilson, Koko on the gang. Tap the trains to receive a video as reward.
Toy Story 3 Read–Along - Disney Publishing Worldwide
iPad:$11.99
Age: 4+
It’s not cheap, butToy Story 3 Read-Along for the iPad is more like an interactive book than a scaled-down film. It features a shortened version of the movie plot along with activities like puzzles, coloring boards, sing-along songs and games. Relive the magic of Woody and Coco again and again.
GAMES
Angry Birds - Clickgamer.com
iPod Touch/iPhone:$1.19
Age: 4+
Two words: Angry. Birds. This game is rated number one on the iTunes store for good reason. It’s addictive, with a huge number of levels for the price. See which family member can get the highest score!
Elmo's Monster Maker - Sesame Street
iPod Touch/iPhone:$4.99
Age: 4+
Help elmo make a monster friend by selecting different eyes, noses and hats. This app is an award winner.
Plants vs. Zombies - PopCap Games, Inc.
iPod Touch/iPhone:$3.99
Age: 9+
Oh no! A mob of fun-loving zombies is about to invade your home, and your only defense is an arsenal of 49 zombie-zapping plants. This addictive game is strictly for the older-primary set.
EDUCATIONAL
abc PocketPhonics: letter sounds & writing + first words - Apps in My Pocket Ltd
iPod Touch/iPhone:$1.19
Age: 4+
Combining letter sounds, writing and first words, this app is a brilliant resource for early readers.
Giraffe's Matching Zoo - Tomato Interactive
iPod Touch/iPhone: Free
Age: 4+
Encourage memory skills with this cute game of animal matching. Cards make an animal noise when flipped!
123 Color Talking Coloring Book (Including English, Spanish, French and German) - Steve Glinberg
iPod Touch/iPhone/iPad:$1.19
Age: 4+
Teaching letters, colours, shapes and language, this top-selling app is a must-have for pre-schoolers.
Times Tables = Fun (Learn your Times Tables) - John Kane
iPod Touch/iPhone:$1.19
Age: 4+
Make learning fun with an app which makes memorising multiplication a game. Primary school children will get a quick out of improving on their high score.
