Kids Safety
Being a security-focused company, we often have to write about dangerous applications, and we encourage parents always to take care choosing games for their children. However, that advice leads to a reasonable question: What are some applications that are safe and interesting for children?
Of course, there are lots of such applications. We can’t claim to have checked them all out. But we present here a handpicked selection of mobile apps that we think are great — and that we think your kids might like, too.
Toca Life Apps
Platforms: Android, iOS
Age: 2+
The Toca Life apps are designed to be interesting and easy to understand for gamers of just about all ages. The apps aim to boost imagination and teach some basic concepts, such as distinguishing between different types of food in Toca Kitchen. The gameplay is simple and suitable for developing device usage skills.
Lego Duplo Apps
Platforms: Android, iOS
Age: 2+
The Lego Duplo series apps are quite simple and easy to understand for kids of most ages. Bright visuals and funny characters engage a child’s attention, and the games contain simple tasks that focus on comparing objects or using imagination.
Forestry
Platforms: Android, iOS
Age: 2+
Help forest animals in their daily lives by building houses, planting carrots, bathing the forest creatures, or putting them to bed. The game trains attention and explains some laws of life and nature.
Sesame Street Family Play
Platforms: iOS
Age: 3+
Instead of seeing a tablet as a wall between a child and the rest of the family, this app uses the device to bring a family together. It presents variations of real-world games, depending on your current location. For example, if you are outdoors, it might suggest an active game such as hide-and-seek.
Monster Math
Platforms: Android, iOS
Age: 4+
As you can tell from its name, this app helps your kid to understand math. Unlike classic self-learning apps, this one takes a kid a journey with a monster, helping the monster along the way by solving math problems.
Osmo
Platforms: iOS
Age: 6+
Like the previous one, this app is not exactly a game. Many Osmo quests involve interaction with the real world — for example drawing on real paper with real pencils. With Osmo, a child will play and learn writing, math, and other elementary school disciplines.
Alto’s Adventure
Platforms: Android, iOS
Age: 6+
A remarkably beautiful game, this endless scrolling snowboard journey is suitable for the entire family. Family members can play it in turns.
Monument Valley
Platforms: Android, iOS
Age: All ages
An elegant, architectural exploration, this game is engaging for users of all ages. The mission is simple: walk through complicated buildings. But players will soon discover that every building is a labyrinth.
DragonBox Algebra
Platforms: Android, iOS
Age: 6+
Another learning experience intelligently embedded into entertaining gameplay, so your child may never notice they are learning while playing.
Bounden
Platforms: Android, iOS
Age: 12+
It’s ballet for two, with a smartphone. This app guides two players, both holding the phone, through making balletic dance moves. Unfortunately, you cannot play it with younger kids, because both participants need to be about the same height.
