With Android applications aimed at children starting to multiply rapidly – perhaps compensating for what has up until now been a real lack in market offerings, at least in comparison to those offered to Apple junkies – we’ve compiled a list of the best Android apps to keep your kids curious, stimulated and…quietly entertained while you’re making dinner.
App developers have, quite rightly, recently realized that many parents are now opting to purchase secondary cell phones strictly for their children (most parents do not want to hand over their iPhone at the restaurant table), and, in an unsurprising market twist, secondary devices are often not as well-funded as their primary counterparts. What’s interesting is that, because Android devices are often easier on the wallet, they have become the preferred choice for the secondary (or “kids”) device. This has created a remarkable and exponentially growing children’s app market, and also resulted in even better child-friendly offerings on devices that are NOT Apple affiliated.
Here’s a run-down of 25 of the best paid and free apps available on GooglePlay (prices are quoted currently, but may vary in the future, and free versions may be or become available for some):
1. 10monkeys Multiplication
Unlike the 12 monkeys involved in the Brad Pitt movie, this app brings all good things. The namesake 10 monkeys help your kids learn their times tables from 2 to 10 and provide interactive feedback. With an easy-to-use interface and a goal of freeing monkeys, this game is engaging while being educational – so you won’t mind so much if your kids get slightly addicted. FREE
2. Invasion of the Moon Monkeys
Building on that monkey knowledge, but this time from a different developer, Invasion of the Moon Monkeys is an arcade-style game that will build on times tables and makes learning math fun. This one will cost you a little bit – but certainly not much in terms of what you get in content, music and effects. $0.99
3. Numbers & Addition
Aimed at those not quite ready for the monkeys, Tribal Nova’s Numbering & Addition is aimed at pre-schoolers and uses cute animals to help with ordering and counting as well as basic addition and subtraction on the savannah! Numbers & Addition is part of the award-winning suite of “i Learn With” apps. FREE
4. Fraggle Friends Forever
From the creative minds at Cupcake Digital, now you can take a step back in time, and recognize your age, when you play Fraggle Friends with your kids. Celebrating Fraggle Rock’s 30th anniversary, this story app will allow you and your crew to see Jim Henson’s creations come alive on your screen with all the classic characters there to get your nostalgia veins pumping. This fun-filled game includes interactive stories, games and coloring and will provide hours of entertainment. And with a Grown-up’s Corner, you can learn right along with your children. $2.99
5. Carnival of Animals
Brought to you by Toothy Buddies, this app is aimed at the pre-school set, and seeks to bring music into your child’s life, but not necessarily annoying repetition in the form of theme songs (thankfully). Children between 2 and 6 are incredibly responsive to music and this app takes a tour takes advantage of this special time by taking your child through a set of colorful animals, each of whom have a lesson to teach about musical concepts such as volume, beats, pitch and rhythm. FREE
6. Disney Princess Story Theater
In this story-telling app, all the princesses come center-stage to share their stories – allowing your child to select characters, storylines, and scenes – and this one even lets them record their own voices telling the story! Best of all, your child can create new stories with their own imagination and use Cinderella, Ariel and Belle (and the props and details that come with them) to make their tale come to life! With real Disney animation and sound, this app is a work of art. $2.49
7. FriendStrip Kids Pro
Bringing the BitStrip craze to kids, here you have a library of strips to choose from and remake. With an extensive library, created by real comic book artists, your kid will be diving into stories of adventure, full of pirates or dinosaurs – whatever they choose! They can even travel time! All the text is fully editable. $1.99
8. Mickey’s Paint and Play
What’s better than coloring? Coloring in digital 3D. This 3D animated coloring book – first seen on Disney Junior – is truly magical and provides hundreds of tools, textures, stickers and colors for kids to create a Mickey’s Clubhouse world. Then they just use the magic wand to make it all come to life! Mickey and Minnie are both here to guide your children through cupcake making and other artistic pursuits! $3.99
9. Cars 2 Read and Race
Disney is at the forefront, surprise to no one, in the development of kid-friendly apps, and this one focuses on Lightning McQueen and his pals as they customize a car and race through the interactive world of Cars 2! So start your engines and fasten your seatbelts, because this app cruises all over – through Tokyo, Europe and of course Radiator Springs! This app features tap-and-play technology as well as device-tilting and a thrilling soundtrack. $4.99
10. Transformers Prime Identity
Another entry sure to get the parents just as excited as the kids, this one from JKP Software takes the robots-in-disguise on a brief but exciting adventure. You’ll scan your fingerprint to measure your abilities and tell you which group of the Transformers universe you align with – Autobot, Decepticon or Human. So will you be Optimus or will you be Megatron? FREE
11. FableScapes 2
Puppets, puppets, puppets. Does anyone not like them? In FableScapes 2, simply select characters and scenes, then watch gleefully as the action commences across the landscape! In this fun and interactive storytelling app, your child can explore all different scenarios, while learning about spatial relationships, narration and cause-and-effect. You and your kids can also collaborate to express your ideas and imaginations – whether they take place in medieval times or in space! FREE
12. Toy Story: Story Theater
Woody, Buzz and Jessie are all here to help your kids tell some rootin’, tootin’ stories and will let them get actively involved. Unleash your child’s hidden masterpiece by letting them record their voice, choose the setting and move the characters! This is a simple game with big ideas, and your kids will almost certainly love it! $1.99
13. Despicable Me: Minion Rush
These cuties have taken over. A ginormous hit from Gameloft, this is a Temple-Run style, adrenaline rush that has you (or your kid – your kid, right?) dodging obstacles and in search of those elusive bananas. Gru’s loyal crew of silly-talking Minions are on the hunt and the ensuing mischief is sure to be hilarious. You can also customize your very own Minion with unique costumes, weapons and power-ups as you dash through labs, lairs and neighborhoods. FREE
14. Mr. Shingu’s Paper Zoo
A bit of a hidden secret for those not in the know, this paper folding-based game is sure to mesmerize. Stormcloud Games designed this app (with the involvement of a Japanese origami expert, Mr. Shingu), which allows you to create your own zoo full of origami creatures and then to care for them and play with them when they come to life. There are pandas and penguins, lions and hippos, and everything is completely customizable. $2.49
15. Temple Run 2
Because kids can love it, too! Temple Run was an instant hit, with hundreds of millions of downloads, and kids are just as exhilarated as adults are. Whether you’re walking on a treacherous cliff, exploring ancient mines or dashing through lush forests, you’ll certainly want to keep running! This is a great one for hand-eye coordination as well as competitive family fun. FREE
16. Where’s My Mickey
Intended to bring out the little scientist, this one focuses on mini puzzles with a mouse for a host. The physics-based gameplay goes through water mechanics as Mickey collects water to complete short episodes. As the story unfolds, fun challenges spring up, along with collectibles and bonuses, helping kids learn about timing as well as weather as it whistles along. $0.99 (with free version)
17. Animal Jigsaw Puzzles
Learn all about our animal friends as you put them together – puzz-mically! From Titan Inc., this jigsaw game is loads of fun and pretty much the most adorable app on the market. Fun for all ages, this is a simple drag-and-drop app that is surprisingly addictive. FREE
18. Toca Kitchen
Gather the ingredients and let your inhibitions go! Hopefully this will get your picky eater to try a few more things next dinnertime. Winner of a Parents Choice Award last year, Toca Kitchen let’s your child play with their food in a whole new way! You can pick ingredients, then cook and prepare them in any way you choose in a kid-friendly kitchen! Then sit and watch as the other characters dig in and let you know what they think! There are 4 characters to cook for and 12 different ingredients to make in 180 ways, so you could be in the kitchen for a long time! $0.99
19. Lego Duplo Train
Kids everywhere love trains. And kids everywhere love Duplo. This app allows them to lay the tracks, gas up the trains and build the routes. It also offers no purchases or advertising – a nice plus for parents. Your toddler will become the conductor, loading up the cars and then sending them chugging along. The animation is beautiful and the sound effects are perfect. FREE
20. Mr. Bean Color & Paint Book
Another app to keep the Crayolas off the walls, and this time it features Mr. Bean! Even if your kids don’t know who Mr. Bean is, they’ll likely think he’s hilarious while they’re trying to help him color in his wacky painting. This app will provide family fun for everyone and your creations can be shared via email or on Facebook and Twitter. $0.99
21. Peekaboo Barn
Learning to identify the creatures in the barnyard was always a fun game – whether with flashcards or a flashdrive! Peakaboo Barn was designed by Night & Day Studios and features bouncy little farm animals inside its barn doors. This app teaches about animal sounds and behavior and was one of the first to be released for toddlers. $1.49
22. Snail Bob 2
Get our slow-moving friend to the end of the trail, and do it fast! This one will teach your kids patience, and it’s also super cute! Technically a physics game, you’ll use the controls to move Bob around, avoiding traps and looking for shortcuts. FREE
23. Spy Mouse
Typical cat-and-mouse, but with an added intensity as you try to get that cheese, Spy Mouse was designed by Electronic Arts and is a joyous little puzzle game. Agent Squeak is the secret agent mouse, and you’ll accompany him as he scurries and sneaks his way through more than 70 levels – each with their own unique adventure. This one is fun (and challenging) for adults, too. $0.99
24. NASA App
The official NASA app will take your kids (7+) out of this world! With all the space program info they need, it’s a great source of info about the solar system and all kinds of other nerdy fun. At their fingertips are 12,000+ images, live news, streaming videos, mission information, satellite trackers, countdown clocks, maps and much more. There’s also a Third Rock radio station. You could stay on this app for hours without getting bored. FREE
25. Shrek Alarm
Take a simple alarm clock and make it really tick! This is a fun app that doesn’t have much in terms of playing features or education, but will help get your kids up from the nap they’ve taken after all that playtime! You can start your day by interacting you’re your favorite ogre, or use him as a stopwatch, timer or flashlight. $1.99
