Kids Academy App for Preschoolers

I recently downloaded the Kids Academy App for preschoolers.  D and E have really been enjoying the games.  This app is great because it allows children to learn in a fun and engaging way at their own pace.  Preschool basics such as letters and numbers are presented in a fun environment that encourages learning.  I love that my kids are learning correct letter and number formation in writing while having colorful graphics and encouragement along the way.  They cannot help but smile when it tells them Good Job!  And my kids love collecting fireflies in a jar as they master tracing and increase their fine motor skills.  I think sometimes they forget they are learning they are having so much fun.  I think this is a great tool for getting ready to read and I would recommend it.

Check out the full App and download it here.  Please let me know what you think too.

Disclosure: Thanks so much to Sverve and Kids Academy  for selecting me to participate in this campaign.  Compensation was provided.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

Talking Anya Dress-Up & Pet Puppies App Review

Have you heard of Talking Anya Dress Up & Pet Puppies?  It is a fun and cute entertaining app for little girls.  Talking Anya Dress Up & Pet Puppies is by Sprite Labs and is a FREE Universal App available on both the iPad and iPhone.  You can find this app on the iTunes App Store here.  Sprite Labs does a fabulous job blending technology and art to create this memorable app.

D loves to tickle Anya.

In this App, little girls can play with Anya by dressing her up, tickling her and watching her respond to many user interactions.  Not only can you dress her up in many costumes (Summer, Winter, Christmas, Halloween), girls can also change her eye color and Anya's hairstyle!  The kids loved talking to Anya and having her repeat it.

Meet Anya

And here is Anya after D dressed her up a bit.  She loves the blue hair and hot pink, heart glasses.

Another fun feature is that Anya has little puppies to play with - the puppies do tricks, dance and can be dressed up as well.  There are 5 puppies in all and they can be purchased for a small price.  It should be noted that all purchases are behind a parent gate so there aren't any accidental purchases.

 

 D enjoys watching Anya dance!

 Bubble Popper Game

The Bubble Popper game is also a hit with the kids.  Anya blows bubbles and your job is to pop them.  There is a counter at the top of the screen so you know how you are doing and how many bubbles you have indeed popped!  Kids love this.

You can also give Anya treats - cupcakes and strawberries.

If you have little girls that like puppies and dress-up, they would love this app.  What are your thoughts?  I would love to hear them!

Disclosure: Thanks so much to Sverve and Sprite Kids for selecting me to participate in this campaign.  Compensation was provided.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.

The Nativity Story App Review

Disclosure:  I was provided with this app to facilitate my review.  All opinions expressed are 100% my own.  Thanks so much to FlyBy and the sponsor.  As part of this campaign I am eligible to win prizes.

  

I have a fun new children's app to tell you about, The Nativity Story App!  It is colorful, interactive and tells of a great story - that of Jesus' birth.  It is available on both the iPad and iPhone.

You can see from this photo that this app has a pop-up book feel to it with the way the illustrations are done.  I really like the character and feel this lends to the story.

 My kids have been super engaged using this app.

The whole story is set to rhyme which my kids love!  Not only can you read or listen to the story itself but there are tons of interactive opportunities woven throughout.  Red boxes will appear next to characters - when pushed they will make additional comments or ask and answer questions to other characters.  Windows can be opened, ropes can be pulled, the donkey can be moved with your hand and so much more.

 They have really enjoyed the tapping, swiping and many interactive features within.  

 

C loves to make the chickens fly.

Listening to the story.

D listening and interacting with this app.

I really like that you can have the story read to you (great for my younger ones) or you can read the story for yourself (great for my older ones).  And I love the band of angels at the end.  You can choose which angels and their instruments are playing during the song Noel.

 This is extremely cool!

The Nativity Story - Popup Deluxe Edition retails for $3.99 on the iPad and The Nativity Story - Popup Mini Edition retails for $1.99 on the iPhone.

Read more about this App below.

About The Nativity Story
Where will baby Jesus be born?  At the market?  AT a restaurant?  At the inn?  Readers of this book app can follow Joseph and Mary on their search for a place to stay in Bethlehem.  Along the way they encounter a variety of colorful local people and animals.  This is a fun and engaging way to share the original story of Christmas with the young generation and remind them what Christmas is all about.  Great for kids 2-10.

You can watch a video on The Nativity Story App here.

Why Kids Love This App
 - It's like a vintage pop-up book, with classic woodcut-style illustrations
 - By tapping and swiping, kids can help Joseph and Marty find a place to stay.
 - Knock on doors ... Pull on the rope... Ring the bell... Open windows... Make people talk...
 - Create music!  Help a band of angels play their instruments.
 - Lots of characters to get to know: Innkeeper, Merchant, Shepherds, Chef, A Band of Actors, Neighborhood Children, Mary's Donkey, Farm Animals and of course... Angels!
 -  Funny sound effects!

Why Parents and Grandparents Love This App
 - Nostalgia.  It feels like a classic pop-up book, bringing back memories for parents and grandparents.
 - Optional Narration: Listen to the old-timey narrator tell the story, or read the story yourself.
 - EXTRA Feature: After the story, explore the original Bible text that tells the Nativity Story.
 -  Amazing Visual Quality: Support for retina display

How is This Christmas App Different?
 - Production Values - It is a work of art: a rich visual and sound experience.
 - Interactive - Touch technology and animation is used to engage the reader in the story in an enchanting and educational way.
 - Age approach - The classic Bible story is retold her with an original and creative approach that appeals to young kids as well as adults.
 - Original - This app is designed like a vintage popup book and includes unique features such as interacting with a band of angels and playing instruments like trumpet and harp.

I hope you will try out this App and let me know what you think!  And by the way, this would make a great Holiday gift.