ipad apps - Stuff Parents Need

I think it is fair to say that I have seen my fair share of apps for children. At last count, I think we had around 25 apps on the iPad that were just for Darah. I’ve seen a few bad apps (poor design, not much fun, etc.) and I’ve seen LOTS of high quality apps that engage the reader and help little ones learn while they play.

But I’ve NEVER seen apps like what is being put out by Loud Crow Interactive. They have put out 2 Sandra Boynton classics (The Going to Bed Book and Moo Baa La La La). They also have The Tail of Peter Rabbit and The Tale of Squirrel Nutkin by Beatrix Potter.

I’m almost at a loss for words for how to describe the technology used to bring these books to life. For the Beatrix Potter books, you should know that they are quite long (which is a good thing for little ones who are ready for a longer story). And page after page has the gorgeous illustrations we’ve come to expect from a Beatrix Potter tale. Only these apps have other features you might not be expecting. For example, the characters on many pages can be touched and dragged to make the slide, tilt or spring. Additionally, there are objects that pop out of the page to give a 3-D effect (no glasses needed!). When Tim and I first read through one of these books, we both erupted in applause when we got to the end. DEAD SERIOUS. Has a children’s app ever made to cheer out loud? Didn’t think so…

Here’s a video that shows you what the app is like:

The Sandra Boynton books also have the ability to click and drag some of the characters. And they have other really precious features. One of my favorites is a moment when lots of animals are crowded around a sink, brushing teeth. You can turn on the hot water and watch the page fill up with steam, which you can then wipe off. Ha! One thing I appreciate about these apps is that they bring a new life to the Boynton books, which most parents really love, but grow tired of after time (not because they aren’t wonderful, but after reading a board book 200 times, you get a little bored, yourself!).

Buy it!: All of these books are available through iTunes. Start at the Loud Crow site to learn more about each option. Pricing starts at just $1.99 for the iPhone, and goes up to $4.99 for the PopOut books on the iPad (SO worth it, by the way).

Win it!: One lucky Stuff Parents Need reader will win one Beatrix Potter app and one Sandra Boynton app of your choice! Woo hoo! The contest will run until June 29th at 11:59pm EST when a winner will be selected via Random.org. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to winning notification before the prize is forfeited and a new winner is selected. Open to residents of the United States. Limit one entrant per household, please.

Mandatory entry: Tell me which two apps you would like to win, and choose wisely, as you will get what you select!

Additional entries:
1. Sponsor love: Like Loud Crow Interactive on Facebook
2. Blogger love: Follow Stuff Parents Need on Google Friend Connect

Be sure to enter my other current giveaways, found on the sidebar of my homepage.

Disclosure: I received complimentary apps for review purposes. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Today I’m bringing you some more awesome iPad apps that are geared toward 2-5 year olds (though Darah is already LOVING them at 18 months). Oscar’s Apps is a company with 3 apps and they rock! Let me tell you about the two we have been enjoying.

First is the Alphabet Song app. There are 3 ways to play this game, which involves popping bubbles with letters on them. First, you can pop the balloons that are laid out in alphabetical order. This is ideal for a younger child, like Darah, who still needs some help finding her letters. The second mode is that the balloons are all jumbled up, but the right balloon will be highlighted to help the child find it. The final mode is where the balloons are all jumbled and the right balloon will only be highlighted after the child has had a while to look for it on his/her own. Tim and I may or may not have been racing each other to see who has greater alphabet balloon popping skills. Just sayin’.

Second is 1-10 Balloons. The concept is very similar to the Alphabet Song. It involved balloons, and the three modes are pretty much the same. What I really love about this is that the person’s voice elevates a bit as the numbers go higher (which is what we do when we count to 10, if you have ever noticed!).

My understanding is that their third app, 1-20 Balloons, is exactly the same, it just has more numbers!

These apps are value-priced at .99 each, and are absolutely worth it. Check out this great video to see just how much toddlers love playing with them!

Disclosure: I received complimentary apps for review purposes through the Family Review Network. The opinions expressed here are strictly my own.

Sandra Boynton and Beatrix Potter Apps (GIVEAWAY!!!)

Not-to-Miss iPad Apps for Toddlers!