During those moments when you let your preschoolers have a little screen time or app time, my favorite word has always been “educational.” If they are going to make my iPad sticky with their little fingers, they might as well being learning something too, right?
My other favorite word is “free.” And, today only, we’ve got an iOS app that is fun, smart, and won’t cost you a thing.
Shiny Party for iPad and iPhone is a brightly colored app featuring a bunch of wide-eyed zoo creatures like a silly monkey, toothy zebra, and cheerful giraffe. In either story mode or game mode, toddlers and preschoolers are taught different shapes and prompted to find matches, or copy pictures, as in the Buld a Cupcake game.
Kids will probably love the peppy background music that plays behind the home page or the games. This adult couldn’t wait to mute it though and, thankfully, that was easy to do. However I do like the British narrator’s voice which is pleasant and matter-of-fact.
Along the way, kids can collect stars for finishing little challenges though I was pleased that this wasn’t overdone. And with no in-app purchases or advertising banners, there is no chance kids will end up in a different spot than the app. Even the parent’s area and app controls are cleverly protected from fingers that accidentally hit those links.
I’m not sure it’s worth a $2.99 purchase, but when it’s free (today only!) I say, go for it. –Christina
Download Shiny Party for iOS, for free today only, at iTunes. UPDATE: It’s now $1.99.
