kids app

Introduce Kids to a World of Fun and Learning with the Safari Tales App

September 18, 2015 by Kathryn 25 Comments

When it comes to relaxing and unwinding after school, both of my boys love spending an hour or so playing video games. And while I don’t mind that, I do prefer that they do something to enrich their minds if possible…as long as they’re still having fun, that is! So when I learned about Safari Tales, an iOS, Android and Amazon app from Kuato Studios that combines engaging gameplay with literacy skills, I couldn’t wait to see what it was like.

The fact that this game, created by the same developers as the award-winning Dino Tales app, featured baby animals was something I especially loved. My youngest son adores animals, so a game that let him play and interact with a baby lion, elephant or giraffe was something that I knew he would enjoy. I downloaded the app on my iPad, entered Benjamin’s name and reading age and let my son sit down to play.

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Teach Your Child Pet Responsibility with New Build-a-Bear Workshop Promise Pets

May 7, 2015 by Kathryn 71 Comments

My youngest son absolutely loves animals and has a huge collection of plush animal friends to prove it. From a favourite fluffy bear to a wide-eyed monkey to a cute floppy-eared puppy, all of Benjamin’s animals have to be carefully arranged on his bed before I tuck him into bed each night. Yet even with so many favourite stuffed friends already, his real dream is to have a live pet of his very own.

At five years old, Benjamin isn’t quite ready for the responsibility of a real pet and with two kids to care for and a home business to run, I’m not willing to add another animal to our family just yet either. But luckily, I’ve found a way to introduce my son to some of the concepts of caring for a pet without making any extra work for myself. Introducing Build-a-Bear Workshop Promise Pets! [Read more…]

Kids and Parents Will Both Love the New Shaw Go Disney Junior, Shaw Go Family and Shaw Go Disney XD Apps-Giveaway

May 5, 2014 by Kathryn 76 Comments

A few months ago I learned about the Shaw Go service available to Shaw Cable and Shaw Direct customers; a collection of apps that lets Shaw subscribers watch their favourite shows on portable devices when away from the house. Benjamin immediately fell in love with the kid-friendly apps that the company offered and now, Shaw has made Shaw Go even better for families with the introduction of three new children’s apps for iPhone and Android: Shaw Go Disney XD, Shaw Go Family and Shaw Go Disney Junior!

My boys were all too eager to test out the new apps and I knew that Benjamin would be especially excited about the Shaw Go Disney Junior app. Some of his favourite shows are on this channel and seeing his eyes light up when he saw programming including Mickey Mouse Clubhouse, Handy Manny and Special Agent Oso was so much fun. He immediately started exploring his options and even discovered a new favourite cartoon to love, The Secret World of Benjamin Bear. He’s been talking about the show for days now!

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The GS Preschool Games App Will Provide Hours of Free Fun for Preschool Kids

January 8, 2014 by Kathryn 26 Comments

With both an Android smartphone and an Android tablet in my household, I use quite a few different apps. In addition to a large number of practical and social media apps such as Facebook, Twitter and Evernote, I also download numerous entertainment apps and games. Some are downloaded because I find them fun and diverting personally, but most I put on my devices so that when we’re away from the house and my boys are restless or bored, I have a way of entertaining them.

Zackary, at seven years old, is pretty easy to occupy. In fact, he likes many of the same games I do, so finding apps he enjoys is no problem at all. But Benjamin, at only four, is a different story. Finding high-quality games for preschoolers is harder than one might think and while he often wants to play the more complicated games his brother favours, he quickly gets frustrated when he can’t complete the different levels. Of course, I also love choosing games that have some educational value and that makes finding an appropriate app for Benjamin even more difficult.

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