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Need Kid Entertainment…Fast? There’s an App for That

Need Kid Entertainment…Fast? There’s an App for That

We’ve all been in those situations where you pray to yourself for your kids to give you just 15 more minutes before they completely meltdown.  You’re at the doctor’s office, on a plane, waiting for the bill to come at a rare meal on the town.  Well, if you’re an Apple iPhone user, you might just be in luck.

While I covet my precious phone, and don’t want to encourage my 16-month old bonding with it as her new favourite toy, it has been very successful in getting me through a few tough situations.
The Apple iPhone has a complete catalogue of apps that are suitable to get you through crunch time. Here are a few of my favourites.  You can search for them yourself; just click your Apps icon on your iPhone to get started.

Apple iPhone apps that won’t make you feel guilty…they’re educational

ABC Animals, by Critical Matter Inc., is a learn-to-read app that engages kids to listen, recognize, say and write the alphabet.  It’s available in English, Spanish, French and German.  This app costs $1.99.

Cute Math, by Bokan Technologies, is a fun way for kids to learn math basics.  You can learn to count by dragging apples and putting them in a basket.  This app is only available in English; it costs $1.99

Apple iPhone apps that encourage the inner musician

Pianist, by MooCow Music, turns your iPhone into very small piano.  Sometimes a little ‘Mary had a little lamb’ is just what you need to put a smile back on your little one’s face.  You don’t need to actually be a pianist to use this app…pressing the keys is fun too. This app is a little more expensive at $3.99 – but what do you expect, you just turned your phone into a piano.

Ocarina, by Smule, turns your iPhone into a Flute-like instrument.  Really.  All you have to do is blow into the iPhone microphone and touch the keys on the screen. Ocarina is available in English and Chinese and costs $.99.

Apple iPhone apps for the next Picasso

Etch A Sketch, by Freeze Tag, Inc. Who didn’t love playing with Etch A Sketch when they were a kid? Well, now you can do it with just the touch of a finger.  You can even snap a picture and scribble on a moustache. And just like the original, shake, shake, shake and you can start over with a clean slate. This app costs $1.99.

I must note: I highly recommend the investment of a protective case for this particular use.  It is absolutely worth it. You can order directly from Apple Canada if you don’t have an Apple store close by. In Vancouver, visit Apple’s retail stores at Oakridge Centre or Pacific Centre.

Do you have a great app that has got you out of a bind?  Share with other moms in the comment section, below. We can all use fresh material from time to time.

Jo-Anne Stayner is a freelance writer and public relations consultant based in Vancouver. She is a new, gear-obsessed mom that is constantly on the look-out for cool things that actually help make life a little easier.

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