Looking for the Best Phone Apps for Your Kids?

I thought when the cell phone was developed that we as a social entity had come of age. At least that's what I thought until the iphone hit the scene. I soon found out that it was not just a miracle possession for me as an adult, but it also was a miracle device for me as a parent. Yes, I had found the perfect distraction for the kids whether in the house of out and about. For a long time the television has been a built in babysitter but now with the revolution of outstanding phone apps for kids I have found several great apps that the children and I both love.

First for the really young, the 1 to 3 year olds, to my surprise I found some great apps worth giving up space on my phone for. This age was certainly the most tumultuous age for this dad with kids in tow. The following five applications are the best apps for kids that I have found. They are the ones that saved me when I needed the kids to be entertained while I finished my work.

First, Wheels On The Bus

Coming in at .99 cents this great tune, which can be sung in different languages, is familiar to all and provides your toddler with opportunities to touch people and spots on the bus to make sounds. If you can get over the repetition sounds that for some reason kids just love, you will both fall in love with this application.

Second, If You're Happy and You Know It

Again for .99 cents, the great children's phone app provides your kid plenty of ability to be silly with the touching of the characters hands so they clap. Many treats are revealed throughout the entire book as you touch things while being happy. Especially cute is the little pig that comes out from behind the door. While repetitive it can be tolerated by most.

Third, Sound Shaker

This child's application costs 1.99, but is worth the fun. The app has cause and effect in a great musical way. The welcome screen invited your kid to pick and instrument. By tapping or holding the screen balls of different colors and different sizes begin dropping on the screen. As the balls collide they make great interesting sounds. The only downside to this app could possibly be the musical volume. Make sure you are in a spot that the loud music won't matter.

Fourth, Grover's Number Special

This crazy counting application, $2.99, provides the kids plenty of fun while listening to Grover sing. While also a learning tool, Grover the waiter helpfully sings while he teaches his customers the healthy way to order. Grover's Number Special is a very cute kid's application that helps all kids learning to count while also emphasizing a healthy living lifestyle.

The Smelly Sprout

For $2.99, this silly smelly Brussel sprout is one of the best animation applications I have run across. Following the guidelines of the original book the Smelly Sprout is unpopular and gets thrown out at Christmas time. The 43 page book provides awesome page turning sound effects and will entertain for a long time. Your child will want to be The Smelly Sprout's friend.

The next set of best phone apps of kids are for the slightly older 3 to 6 year olds (or sometimes older) that like to play. Of course as with adults you will find some kids, no matter what age, love to play games even the ones for the younger crowd.

First is Kero

This .99 cent game is a timed game, which is probably why it is recommended for the slightly older crowd. The game help build hand-eye coordination. The frog, who sits on the log, attempts to catch flies, with your child's help of course. Kids will love the frog's long tongue and how the frog gives up his catch when the game ends. It is a great game that introduces time limits.

Second is Monkey Preschool Lunchbox

For .99 cents parents can begin teaching colors and letters to their preschooler. Each game within this kid's application will ask your child to follow tasks while counting fruit, or touching the word the monkey is saying, or matching cards with same pictured fruit on them. The kids won't realize they are learning. The sounds and music are entertaining for any age partaking.

Third in this category-Face Melter

At .99 cents that great children's phone app will give your child many hours of fun bringing up pictures and then making them melt as their finger slimes over them. You can deform your face or that of your friend. Once you are done disfiguring the portrait you can then animate it creating a great video show.

Fourth is Tales2Go

While it may seem pricey (24.99 annually) this is one of the best children's phone apps out. Within this one application are over 900 stories available for listening pleasure. These stories are instant and unlimited. Series are also available like the popular 'Diary of a Wimpy Kid' and 'Encyclopedia Brown'. This is a great way to share stories for the whole family. And new stories are added every day.

The Fifth and Final

Great Phone App for Kids-Geocaching-A global treasure hunting game, this best phone app for kids, includes the whole family. Participants locate a treasure by following clues and their GPS. You 'become' a geocacher and can play virtually anywhere you travel. Instant access to hundreds of caches all over the world, for $9.99, your GPS gets you within 50 or so feet from your target. You sometimes find it and sometimes not. If you do, you claim a trinket as a prize, and leave a trinket for the next set of family geocacher's. A great family outing.

So here are few of my favorite phone apps for kids. Certainly there are many many more each to please a different set of parents. Happy hunting.