Grace uses my iPhone nearly as much as I do.
I have said many times, I don't remember how we parented before I had an iPhone. That little electronic device has saved my sanity at many doctor's offices, during many overtired moments, and many sleepless afternoons.
Lately, I've been letting it teach her reading skills. The best part? She doesn't feel like she's doing school, but she's still learning.
Grace is soon to turn 4, and these are currently her favorite iPhone apps.
Please note - I am not working with any PR or company reps. These are all apps that I found and paid for myself.
The 10 Best iPhone Apps for Preschoolers
Each title is linked to the app's iTunes preview page.-
Tozzle
Tozzle is a series of puzzles with sound effects, and it has been Grace's #1 go-to, all-time favorite app. She started playing it around her first birthday, and she has been playing it ever since. Each update brings new puzzles and new features. I love this app. $1.99
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Bob Books #1
We just got Bob, and it quickly became one of Grace's favorites. I can see her learning the basics of spelling and phonics and reading as she plays. She talks it out, and she gets frustrated. {Being a teacher, I know that great learning comes from a little frustration.} We had to do this app together at first, but that means it is a challenge for Grace. I noticed that this version is #1, so I'm eager to see #2. It's that good. $1.99
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TeachMe: Kindergarten
This app is really hard for Grace. She needs help to do it, and she's sometimes reluctant to play. {Like her mother, she doesn't appreciate hard work.} At first, I thought it was a wee bit too challenging, so I bought its cousin, TeachMe: Toddlers. The toddler version is way too easy, but Grace likes to play it, especially when she's grumpy or tired. It gives her lots of positive reinforcement, and she gets stickers for every four right answers. There are settings that allow me to make the Toddler version harder, and I'm happy to say that she'll grow into the kindergarten app. $0.99 each.
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SUPER WHY! for iPad - PBS KIDS
This game is based on the PBS series with the same name, and it is very similar to the games on the Super Why website. From the start, Grace has been able to do the games by herself, so she plays them a lot. $2.99
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Monkey Preschool Lunchbox
This was one of the first learning apps I bought {in desperation, at the eye doctor's office}. It has all kinds of challenges, including counting, letter identification, color identification, and more. Grace likes that it reads the instructions to her. $0.99
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Wheels on the Bus - Duck Duck Moose
This is an audible book and game in one. Each screen is a line from the song, and it is interactive. It includes music, and you can even record yourself singing. This is another app that Grace has been playing since her first birthday. We all love it. $0.99
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Baa Baa Black Sheep
Because we like Wheels on the Bus so much, I checked out the developer's other offerings. This app is by that same company {Duck, Duck, Moose}, and it is similar. It is a game where you have to find certain objects in the pages, but the objects change each time you play. $1.99
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Memory Pro
Grace doesn't play this as often as the others. It is a standard memory game, with cute characters and options for customization. There is a paid version, but I couldn't see how it was better than the free one.
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First Words Animals
This app was Grace's introduction to phonics. I had purchased the entire Hooked on Phonics learning set, and she wouldn't go near them. She hated those books. Because I didn't want learning to be a fight (and because I knew she was ready to learn letters and phonics), I added this app to her screen on my phone. When she taps a letter, she hears the letter's name. The app shows her where to put the letters, and it reads the word back to her. Terrific. $1.99
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Balloonimals
This is an amazing app. You select a balloon, blow into the microphone to inflate it, then shake the phone to twist it into an animal. Once the animal is made, tapping it in different spots makes it interact with you. Some make sounds, jump around, and blow bubbles. The joey jumps into and out of his mother's pouch. They're all fun. Grace has been amazed by this for years, and several updates have brought new, more complex, animals. $1.99
Blessedwithgrace says
Yea! So excited to try these out for Grace. I have to admit, my Grace's favorite thing to do on my iPhone is play Angry Birds! Um, yeah, not too educational.
She does like a game called "PocketPhonics".
Of couse she also loves that I have several "little girl" movies loaded on my iPhone's iPod.
Thanks, Tara. I will be loading these Apps tonight! And, I agree with you, I don't know what I would do without my iPhone for Grace. 🙂
Tara @ Feels Like Home says
I think I'm the only person on the planet who hasn't downloaded Angry Birds. 🙂 But that's okay with me; I don't need something else to get sucked in to!
Julie says
Yay! More apps to check out! My almost 3-yr-old looooves my iPhone. Try Doodle Buddy too. Her favorite so far.
Tara @ Feels Like Home says
You know we'll be checking those out. Thanks for the suggestion! 🙂
Andrea(LilKidThings) says
How fun! Maybe one day I will get an iphone now that they are on Verizon. Here's hoping!
Tara @ Feels Like Home says
YES! Another that I was going to include (but bumped at the last minute to keep the list at 10) was Toddler Teaser Shapes. Grace used to love it, but it's been long forgotten.
She used to run around with my phone saying, "Wanna pay shapes! Wanna pay shapes!" Adorable.
Tara @ Feels Like Home says
Thank you! 🙂
LisaCrazyAdventuresinParenting says
That's cool! I don't have an iPhone, but we do have a few go-to apps on our Droids we use when we need to.
Jennifer Auer says
Cool, you and Tina have inspired me to create my own favoriite iPhone apps list. Both of you have apps, my kids haven't tried out yet. Looks like I'll be dedicating a secong page on my iPhone to kids apps. 😉
Tara @ Feels Like Home says
Definitely! Grace has a page that's all for her stuff. It limits me, too, so I don't overbuy for her.
Tara @ Feels Like Home says
Definitely! Grace has a page that's all for her stuff. It limits me, too, so I don't overbuy for her.
Tina Kelley says
My kids LOVE my ipad so I will definitely be looking too see if they have iPad versions. Especially the BOB Books one!
ConnieFoggles says
I've reviewed some preschool apps and love that they are educational. My 12 year old is into games like Angry Birds, Lil' Pirates, Ice Tycoon, lots of free stuff!
Renita says
Great list! My kiddos LOVE SuperWhy, Tozzle, Wheels on the Bus, and Monkey Preschool Lunchbox. So excited to try Bob Books and TeachMe Kindergarten. Another great FREE one is Feed Me! - Pencilbot Preschool. It's similar to Monkey Preschool, in that you drag correct answers to onto the monster to feed him. Wrong answer gives him an upset tummy. Cute!
Kate says
My son is 3 y/o and he absolutely loves 'Tapping Zoo'
This app has animal pictures, the noise they make, and a song. There are 3 or 4 screens worth of animals, they are divided by habitat. When you click an animal, a new screen opens and you have four choices of pictures to click: daddy animal, mommy animal, baby animal, and love (picture of a heart)
It's kinda hard to explain well but there is also a memory mini game with different dogs on this app, too. I remember it being a little on the expensive side but we have gotten a lot of fun out of it ($3 or $4, I think)