Pre-School Apps for iPad and iphone

[Leo03]

I have been looking for something nice and simple for a long time for my toddler to use on the ipad. Finally I found Shape Up! by busythings which he adores. All he has to do is trace shapes on the screen to make characters come to life. The Nosy Crow fairy tales are also fabulous for toddlers. I have found there are so may dull apps out there for very young children. Can anyone recommend any other apps for this age group?

Wow thank you for the shape up recomend. Peace here for the last 20 mins which is unheard of !!

I have just downloaded Singing Letters by The Ministry of Letters. It is too advanced for my dd, so pass on the idea for those dcs who are actually interested in the sounds letters make. It's pretty simple, but sort of wonderful. The letters all sing their own sound to a funky beat - you can have as many of them or as few of them singing as you like.

Sorry, just realised its called The Singing Alphabet.

Great thread. Try itot cards (flash cards with various themes). Mine loved the animal ones.

Thanks for the glow draw recommendation (and to everyone else who contributed)! This is a brilliant thread.

Has anyone tried these piece me puzzles? One of them is free just now, so I had a look at it last night. They are very beautiful, but I thought the puzzling was quite confusing, they don't work quite like a jigsaw, some bits go on top of other bits and bits can get a bit lost. Perhaps it will all be clear to dd, though, she might not be comparing it to a jigsaw, just playing with it!

I've just found out there's a whole other shop to browse in the iBooks. There seem to be very few books for very young kids that have been published here, but it might be worth a look. This caught my eye, but it's a fiver. Anyone tried it?

I came on here to ask a similar question and have got some great ideas so thanks. My 3 yr old loves ( and has learnt loads) from an app called Maths 3 to 5. He has been playing this since about 2.5yrs and it is much more than Maths. He has learnt all different shapes, matching, drawing straight and curved lines and now starting on the early Maths bit. There is a free version and although the full version is pricey it is well worth it!

Another vote for Maths 3 to 5 here. Brillilant app, the full version keeps DD entertained for ages the appropriate amount of time :o

I like Thomas tilt and go, very very easy to play. And twinkl phonics app for my older child. He loves it!

Has anyone tried Splash Math apps?

Yes this is super valuable! Love Duck Duck Moose (Wheels on the Bus), Tiny Crow (Busy Bear's farm), Peppa's party, Peppa's sports day (both paid) Itsy Bitsy Spider (Duck Duck moose) for younger kids works well in cars/planes.. Apart from that Paint Sparkles to do colouring, and one where they can guess all animals and hear the sounds, forgot the names..

Re the maths 3-5 I have downloaded a free version but it wants 6.99 for each subsequent 'level' am I downloading the right app or am I just being a stingy mare

Planning to buy an iPad soon and was going to post a similar thread, so thanks! I too am going to steall all of the ideas here.

I've just read through this thread too & it's fantastic - thanks everyone! Has anyone found an app that's good for colouring shapes or joining dots to form letters and shapes?

Great suggestions here! Just downloaded Icky Mr Fox for my 2 yr old DD and she loves it! A lovely story book with interactive options.

Hairy Letters is good for learning phonics and joining dots to draw letters.

DS 2.7 loves Toca Boca Robot but I would warn against it as it seems to be much more addictive than the other brilliant toca boca apps.

Our 2yr old loves the interactive books. Leo and the Windy Day is her favourite at the moment. It's got a (mercifully pleasing) soundtrack she can add to and lots of interactive things on every page. Keeps her busy for ages!

DS likes My First JCB app, its full of puzzles, memory games, racing, colouring, there's easy stuff for 18mth-2yr olds and more complicated construction stuff for older preschoolers.

He also likes Wheels on the Bus from DuckDuckMoose.

How about 'Maggie and the squirrel' - a fun little story online for ipads etc.. which you can listen to in French, English and Spanish ... Go online and you will find it straightaway. Another one is 'Hola me llamo Billy' - all about a lovely cocker spaniel.

On reflection, 'Counting to 10 with fruit and monkey' is also a good one for little ones. Again, just put it into Google.

Another vote for all the Toca Boca apps - DD has loved these (she's 3.5) -favourites are the tea party and birthday party, hair salon and doctor.