Iphone to the rescue - Best Apps for your Toddler!

Iphone to the rescue – Best Apps for your Toddler!

As parents we are always looking for something to pep up our cranky toddlers in a pinch!  Who knew the answer fits in your pocket and is at their fingertips !?! Apps for kids that you can download on your Iphone, Ipod/touch and now Ipad are the best thing going to entertain your toddler when you’re on the go or need a time out! 

When it comes to distracting my daughter who is almost two, my Iphone has proven to be a miracle tool.  There are many apps to choose from that will educate, entertain and amuse your child. Some apps are free and most all of them are well worth the couple of bucks.  My husband and I both have found the Iphone has become our saving grace in many situations like driving in the car, waiting in lines, the grocery store, on the airplane, and my personal favorite, restaurants!! My husband and I can actually finish a meal together and engage in conversation without tag teaming the toddler!

Last week we decided to treat ourselves to nice dinner at the ZGrille restaurant. As we were being seated I looked up just in time to get the “Oh great, they have a kid” eye roll from our table neighbors. It reminded me of the “ you can’t possibly be sitting next to me ” airplane look. Oh yes, It’s us!  I smiled back; little did they know I was packing heat! We unloaded and set up shop at the table, all situated. When our little angel became restless I handed over the Iphone. Abracadabra! Giggles with a side of squeals! When I glanced over at our welcoming neighbors, I noticed a raised curious eyebrow. WOOHOO!!!  Take that!

When the couple was leaving the woman stopped at our table and said, “ I have to say your daughter is so well behaved.  We were just reminiscing about our first time out to dinner with our son, now in his 20’s, he screamed the entire time, it was awful.” Looking at the Iphone, she continued with, “We didn’t have that sort of thing when he was a baby". She was amazed! “Oh thank you so much, I replied, she’s our angel”. Wink! We thoroughly enjoyed another dinner thanks to the little magic rectangle that kept our Itot enchanted! No interrupting tantrums, no wrestling matches trying to keep her in the high chair! Success!

It truly is amazing to watch our toddler become fascinated as she navigates the Iphone all by her self. After just a couple days she knew how to slide the screensaver, choose an app, activate it and play! She can even switch to another one.  HALLELUJAH!  Not only does it keep her occupied so mommy and daddy can have some down time, she is learning too! BONUS!!! Animals, Letters, Numbers, Shapes, Skill building activities and much, much more! In addition to apps you can also download educational TV shows like Discovery channels “Mama Mirabelle” a nurturing elephant (voice of Peg Bundy!!) whom takes your tot on educational animal adventures.  

I am officially impressed! The Iphone has proved to be amazingly useful in many ways but never did I think it would be my personal sidekick in taming the beast…uh...I mean entertaining my precious angel!

Here are a couple of things I found helpful:

-Get a thick rubber case to help absorb the shock when dropped.

-Set some boundaries on time, wait for outings and when you really need a distraction for your kiddo.

-Have plan B ready for when you take it away as to not create the meltdown your trying to avoid in the first place. Snack time, a book, I give mine a couple stickers it seems to work for us or “WOW, look at that" and point in the opposite direction - lol!

-Most important KEEP IT CHARGED! 

The apps we have tried range from free to $1.99. Below I have listed a few of our favorites, including links! CHECK THEM OUT! I know you’ll find these apps to be as remarkable and convenient as our family does! Let us know what your favorites are! 

·      Peekaboo barn -(FREE and $1.99 version)- This was our very first app! This one has a child voice and Spanish option, adorable and educational! Tap on the knocking barn door to see what animal waits inside. Tap on the animal to hear the name and animal sound.

      http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/peekaboo-barn/id300590611?mt=8

Also available Peekaboo Wild with safari animals! 

 All the apps from Duck Duck Moose are really cool. The colors and graphics are great eye candy for the kiddos.

·      Itsy Bitsy Spider   ($0.99)  - It is an interactive book – poke and slide different things and see what happens – Lots of playful interaction. 

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/id331863487?mt=8

Wheels on the bus ($0.99) and Old Macdonald ($1.99) are also interactive singing books that you poke and slide to see what happens. These apps have four languages, different instruments and the option to record your own voice (Ours has daddy singing!).

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/wheels-on-the-bus/id303076295?mt=8

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/old-macdonald-by-duck-duck/id324655784?mt=8

Fish School – Letters, Numbers, Shapes, Colors, and much more…

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/fish-school-by-duck-duck-moose/id367567459?mt=8

And coming soon Baa Baa Black Sheep and Row Your Boat!

·      First words Animals by Learning Touch – (FREE & $1.99 version)

        This one is really nice and educational to boot! Slide letters to their shadows to make the word. This activates the character to make sounds and move. It will surprise you how quickly your child will pick this up!

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/firstwords-animals/id294536447?mt=8

·      Toddler Teasers Shapes -(FREE & $0.99 version) – While quizzing your little one with a soothing voice it offers positive reinforcement and sticker rewards. I really like how it verbally labels all the shapes even when they choose the incorrect answer followed with a “try again”. LOVE IT! This app is also available with several other categories including colors, animals, numbers and more.

       http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/toddler-teasers-shapes/id303153532?mt=8

·      Baby’s Animal Show – ($0.99) – This is a great introduction animal tap slide show with sounds. You can choose either cartoon pictures or real life photos!

http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/babys-animal-show/id308219023?mt=8

Let us know what you think!

Enjoy and Happy Parenting!