Educational games have come a long way from what we might have played with as kids, and now most are found as apps on your smart phone (smart, hmmm?), making them easily within reach should a moment of utter boredom strike your seven year old (are they always bored??). We’ve done a bit of research and come up with a list of five of our faves to download. Feel free to share any we’ve missed, we’re always on the hunt for more.
Barefoot World Atlas: Based on the hardcover print atlas, this app allows a virtual trip around the world on your iPhone/iPad. Kids learn about the people, places, wildlife, and climate in specific areas with pics, drawings, models, and narration.
Available for iPhone or iPad, $4.99
Simon: Remember that great battery-operated memory game we had you as kids? Fun, challenging and great for building and increasing memory skills.
Simon Classic available for Android and for iPhone and iPad, free.
Monkey Preschool Lunchbox: This app stars a monkey who needs help filling his lunchbox. It requires some basic reading, and the challenges are simple but get those brain juices flowing.
Available for iPhone and iPad, and Android, $1.99
Ice Is Nice!: The Cat-in-the-Hat takes the kids on a tour of the north and south poles. While the text is very Dr. Suessical, kids can leave the story and explore parts by tapping images and highlighted words.
Available for iPhone and iPad, $5.99
Trucks HD: Trucks, police cruisers, sports cars, and bulldozers are along for the ride in this app. Designed to teach basic concepts like sorting, sequencing and problem solving, even preschoolers will have fun making vehicles go (and clean them and fix them…it’s pretty cool).
Available for iPad and iPad, $1.99
Image Credit: flickingerbrad
