Needless to say, I deleted all the Cut the Rope apps off my iPad and went on a hunt for even better apps than we had. Most of our apps were already educational, but there were a few (like Cut the Rope) that I was someone swindled into installing.
I found some really great options. Hopefully you will enjoy these top educational apps as well.
As a quick note, I used to use many of the free version apps with the ads and then realized the kids can click out of the app and onto something inappropriate. I’ve committed to not using free version apps for kids anymore. It is significantly better to pay the $.99 and know the kids what your kids are looking at when they’re playing.
My ultimate two favorite apps right now are Reading Rainbow and ABCMouse Early Learning. Both of them are subscription based – $5 a month and it’s worth every penny.
Reading Rainbow – is like a virtual library. The kids “check out” five books and then they can choose to read the books themselves or have the app read it to them. As soon as they are finished with those books, they put them in the book return and get five more. I SUPER LOVE THIS APP! My kids will sit for HOURS and read stories and I am so good with.
ABCmouse.com
is a computer based game that has an app to access it through the iPad. You have to be connected to the internet to play it though. The kids work on age appropriate learning tasks, earn tickets to buy things, and progress along the learning path. My three and five-year old love it.
Stack the States – this is a favorite of my kids ages 5-12. The fastest, most fun way I have seen to learn the states, capitals, and other facts about our country.
Edukitchen – Great for preschool and early kindergarten. Pay for the app though. You get more options and no ads.
Bob Books – I love bob books – the actual Bob Books that you hold in your hand and turn the pages. The apps are just as great.
Drawing Pad – Great for so many reasons. Certainly it encourages creativity and has many different drawing, painting, coloring, designing features. I love it because it allows the child to type words onto whatever they are making. I will hand my son a list of sight words and tell him to type them out. Because he is on the iPad, he thinks he is playing – I know he is learning to read.
Mathpop – Solve math problems by popping the coordinating bubbles
Tozzle – Puzzles for toddlers and preschoolers. Next to Reading Rainbow, this app is probably the most frequently used by our kids. It has saved us at many a doctor’s appt.
What are some of your favorite apps?
