The 10 Best iPhone Apps for Young Kids

Even though people purchase iPhones to make and receive calls, with the applications available it is easily converted into a toy. Though no one would hand their small child a $99 toy to play with, the following 10 apps are entertaining enough for kids that they'll be captivated for quite a while.

Educational and Fun

iWriteWords: iPhone apps don't always have to be mindless fun, they can be educational too! This app by gdiplus teaches children handwriting while simultaneously involving them in a game. There are uppercase letters, lowercase letters and number levels. $1.99 buys this fun learning app.

Preschool Adventure, etal: 3DAL LLC brings us a host of wonderful apps for children. In Preschool Adventure, parents work with their children with six different activities some of which are farm sounds, animal matching and dot to dot colors. Preschool Music and Preschool Arcade are also available through 3DAL LLC and all three apps are 99 cents.

FirstWords Vehicles: This app by Learning Touch is another educational app designed to help young children learn their alphabet. The app is $1.99 and is whimsically illustrated so all children will love playing.

Music

Tappy Tunes: Created by UtiliTouch, Inc, Tappy Tunes gives anyone the chance to be a musician. Forget the tiny keyboard keys or notes to follow, with Tappy Tunes you just tap the screen anywhere and music is created. It's so simple a toddler can do it, and over 80 songs and sound effects are included. Both a free version and paid version of $1.99 are available.

Midomi: This application by the Melodis Corporation puts the world of music into your palm. Hold the iPhone's speaker up to any source of music - including your own humming or singing - and within seconds the artist and album name will be identified for you. Midomi is $4.99 which is really a steal when you consider how much fun your little one can have singing into the phone!

Drawing

Scribble: Just as its name implies, Scribble, created by Zintin, allows the user to scribble on the screen and create pictures. Just draw then shake the iPhone to erase. Features include draw, finger paint and trace. The paid version, at 99 cents, provides the ability to hide the toolbar and also gives tips.

ColorTilt: Designed by IMAK Creations, ColorTilt is another app not just for the smallest child, but for any age. Colors are created by tilting the iPhone and then your finger is used to draw in that specific color. It's also possible to have your artwork showcased at the IMAK creations web gallery. $2.99 buys this app you and your little one will be playing for hours.

Whimsical Fun

Scoops: Designed by NimbleBit, Scoops is quite honestly a game not just for kids but for anyone looking to have a little tasty fun. Build your ice cream cone higher and higher into the sky, watch it wobble, avoid the vegetables (ice cream and veggies just don't go together!) and see just how high you can build your ice cream scoop tower. Worldwide leaderboards available, though the kids might only care if they beat you! At $1.99 it's inexpensive fun for the little one.

iSteam: Brought to us by Great Apps, iSteam turns the iPhone into a steamy bathroom mirror. Your child can doodle on the "mirror," or fog it up with their breath, or uncover a photo you place beneath. Easy and unbelievably realistic, at 99 cents this app is both fun and cool.

BubbleWrap: Remember how much fun it was as a kid to pop bubble wrap? Strangely satisfying, this app, designed by Orsome, brings the sound and most of that satisfaction back right on the iPhone. To add to the fun, there's a timer to see how many bubbles you can pop in a certain number of seconds. The BubbleWrap app is free.