Traveling with toddlers is not an easy task. Young children can get bored easily, so they need something to do. Unexpected delays such as traffic jams or cancellations by airlines can make it difficult for parents to enjoy their summer vacation.
Parents have many options when it comes to entertainment for their children while on the road. Children can access apps on their smartphone or tablet that will keep them entertained and also teach them valuable skills!
Here are our top five apps that will keep your kids entertained while travelling this summer:
1. Talented and Gifted — Kids Academy
Kids Academy’s Talented and Gifted app is an all-in one learning tool for children ages 2-10. It gamifies early education and makes it more fun with interactive learning activities. You can use the app to learn about subjects across the curriculum using videos, games and quizzes. Interactive worksheets can also be used offline. The app allows children to practice skills like phonics, reading and writing as well as science and math while they play games and solve puzzles. It grows with your child’s abilities, which is great because it will keep them on a consistent path of learning that will last beyond your trip. Parents can subscribe to the service while they travel and continue it once they return home. They will be able to keep track of their child’s progress through weekly emails and a progress tracking tool.
2. Learn like Nastya
This app is a great way to learn from your child’s favorite YouTube vlogger, Nastya. Learn Like Nastya is designed by professional educators with toddlers in mind. It addresses the most important aspects of a child’s immediate environment, such as their family, friends, pets and home. It encourages children to learn about the world and prepare for school through many activities. Topics include introductory skills such as alphabet, early phonics, vocabulary, number sense and more. This app features a well-known character that kids love and encourages them to explore their natural curiosity about learning with Nastya.
3. Hungry Caterpillar Play School
Eric Carle’s classic children’s book, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, is loved by all children. There are many apps that use the book to teach children. Hungry Caterpillar Play School is one of the most popular apps. It includes many puzzles and games that teach foundational skills such as reading, writing, counting and sorting. The app is filled with beautiful illustrations and interactive characters that encourage kids to learn as they play.
4. Starfall ABCs
Starfall ABCs is unique since it is completely free of charge and it exists due to supporters. The app encourages children to explore and play, strengthens literacy skills, and motivates them. To help improve their reading skills, the app offers kids interact with letters and sounds and play games. Children will enjoy playing these games and will also develop foundational reading skills by learning to recognize letters as well as their sounds.
5. YouTube Kids
YouTube has been criticized for inappropriate content that is geared toward children. Parents don’t realize that YouTube has a version for children that filters out inappropriate content and makes it safer for their kids. Earlier YouTube Kids had its share of problems, but the app is now much more user-friendly and offers a wide range of content kids can enjoy. Parents can control how content is curated and what their children are viewing by using privacy settings. You can make your kids more educated by directing them to videos that cover educational concepts, songbooks, and how-to videos for teaching kids arts and crafts.