Sure, we let our kids have screen time. When they ask to use the iPad to play games, it’s easy to get lost in the see of App options that are available. Even if we think we are being wise by only downloading free games, there are in-game payments that make those free version obsolete rather quickly. And if we are investing in an app that is $2.99 or $3.99, we want to make sure we are not just dumping our money away.
Here are some Apps that we find are kid-friendly, favourites, and don’t want to send us into a frenzy of app deletion.
Toca Boca Games
My daughter loves these games, and while I’ve been lucky enough to have received some of the Apps for free to try out through the blog, we have almost always bought the new ones when they come out. She likes the little characters and how interactive you can be in the games. There’s a large element of creativity and we like that. She loves Toca Life Pets, and Toca Hair Salon to name a few.
2. Sago Mini Games
Another series of games that include cutesie characters are the Sago Mini Games. There is a little red bird that my kids always love to see in the games. Sago Mini Farm or World always has something new to explore.
3. Minecraft
This is probably old news, and if you are like us, there’s a good chance you already have Minecraft on at least one platform (yes, I said at least one. We have it everywhere). While I personally am terrible at this game, I don’t mind it for the kids at all. I love that they each can use the game in their own way (my son likes the adventure/exploring side of of the game, while my daughter loves to design and create her buildings, manage her animals and create her world.) I like how creative the game encourages kids to be. Beware though: While I have this game listed as one I don’t mind as a parent, you should know that if kids play together it sometimes doesn’t end well. If one sets fire to the other kids’ house or lava gets dumped on the garden, it’s pure mayhem.
4. GarageBand
This is one that not only can the kids get into, but parents can love too. Garageband is a recording studio on your phone or tablet. There are music loops, and instruments (guitars, drums and more) for the kids to experiment with. Music is such a wonderful way for the kids to use a tablet.
Do you have any of these apps?
