15 Great Apps for Toddler iPad and Usage Guide For Kids

Daily life is getting more and more technological. Sometimes it feels like you can't make it through your day without using your phone or tablet. Our children are experiencing this as well. Surprisingly, one out three kids today can use a phone or tablet before they can walk. With so many apps to choose from, it is important that you have the right ones installed.

Toddlers learn by repetition, interaction and color recognition. Here at Panda Gossip are 15 apps that not only will keep your toddler engaged, but will educate them as well. They are a combination of free apps and paid apps, but the results will be the same. A child who is and not only having fun but learning at the same time. An engaged child is a content child which is great for parents who just need a little break. But be careful, to much time can lead to screen time addiction, which could lead to development issues.

Pediatricians recommend that infants under 18 months should have no type of exposure to screen time from a tablet or smartphone. Toddlers from the ages of 2-5 years can be exposed to screen time, but it is recommended that they have only one hour per day. A content and quiet child is something every parent dreams of,  but monitoring a child's screen time is important to their development. 

With all the apps that are available to choose from its easy to download one to your smartphone or tablet and hand it to your toddler. But be aware that this period of their life is vital to brain development.

This period of a toddlers development is known as the " critical period" due to the rapid growth and development of a child's brain. This period will set the foundation for development as they get older. The frontal lobe also develops the most during this stage and this part of the brain is impacted the most from prolonged screen time.  The frontal lobe is responsible for helping a child develop and comprehend social skills.

Thus, it is important that you monitor your child's screen time. 

Join Elmo and his best friend Abby on a fun-filled adventure. Your child will learn about the numbers 1-20, shapes, colors and puzzles. This app lets you trace your favorite number to unlock your surprise. Coloring pages are also available for your child to enjoy.

Available on iTunes and Google Play

Help Farmer Jo round up the animals on the farm in this interactive app that toddlers will love. Watch as numbers come to life as your child interacts with the numbers by tapping, counting, and moving the animals.

Available on iTunes and Google Play

Based on the book by the same name, this app will teach your toddler about the life cycle of a butterfly. Your child will interact with the caterpillar making sure that he eats and sleeps so he will continue to grow to become a butterfly. Help him crawls across the screen to take a peek into his toy box, and feast on tasty fruit. As the days pass your caterpillar will grow to become a butterfly. fed tasty fruit from the nearby tree. The more you play this app the more surprises you will find.  

Available on iTunes and Google Play

Ride along into reading with this app that not only teaches your child the letters of the alphabet but the phonetic sounds as well. This app is a great introduction to the ABC's. What also makes this app great, is that as your child excels you can change the degree of difficulty keeping your child engaged.

Available at iTunes and Google Play

Made up of 18 different games that are meant to educate and entertain. The games consist of racing, matching, sorting and many other games. Fireflies, bumblebees, and ladybugs are just some of the bugs that your child can use to explore and learn about colors, shapes, and numbers. The degree of difficulty increases as your child develops, keeping them engaged.  Another fun activity in this app is the matching puzzles that are available.

Available on iTunes and  Google Play 

A free app that introduces your toddler to the concepts of numbers in a real-life city setting. Visit the Juice Store where they can make a smoothie and also practice their counting. They can swing by the "lost and found" and match similar objects together. Parents will love the "Parent Report Card" that will show you the processes behind the game and also allow you to see the progression of your child according to the app. Thsi is especially important to see what they are excelling in and what they need more work on.

Available on iTunes and Google Play 

What better way to learn then with robots. This kid-friendly app is very easy to navigate and features 26 puzzles and mini-games that teach your toddler the alphabet. They can play games where they build a robot, dig for gold, or zap alien ships. It keeps your child moving and with just a tap, on the screen, they will see the lower and upper case version of each letter. 

Available on iTunes and Google Play

This app is great to get your toddler to understand the importance of developing and following a routine. Whether it is when you first wake up to when you go to bed. Your child will join Daniel as he starts his day. They will help Daniel get dressed for school and even help him set his table for breakfast. Then when it is time for bed, your child will brush their teeth and get ready for bed right alongside Daniel.

Availabe on iTunes and Google Play 

This app enables your toddler to explore different shapes and colors through music just by tilting or tapping the screen. Your toddler will interact with colorful animations, sing songs and listen to different sounds. There are two different levels your child can experience with this app.  

Available on  iTunes and Google Play 

On this app, your toddler will join Kaju and Mei Mei in a free dance game that gets kids on their feet and dancing to their favorite songs and nursery rhymes.

Available on iTunes 

All your favorite Disney characters are available to help you paint and color the different rooms at the Clubhouse. Pair it with the Disney Color and Play Coloring Books and watch your creations come to life.

Available on Google Play and iTunes

Your toddler will explore the world of classical music through composers such as Mozart, Beethoven, and many others. Children can create their own music by playing the piano along with other instruments. 

Available on iTunes and Google Play

One of the best interactive apps available. Join all of your favorite PBS characters on a fun-filled adventure featuring over 90  fun and educational games for your child to enjoy.
 
Available at iTunes and Google Play

All Aboard!! Whether your toddler would prefer to conduct the train, load the train, or build the tracks and stations, there is so much for them to do. They will learn about shapes and colors as they travel down the tracks to the next station and the realistic sounds will fascinate ears.
 
Available on iTunes and Google Play

Based on the book, this app features a play mode where you can feed the bunny, pop the bubbles and play hide and seek. There is also a read mode that features 14 interactive scenes where your child can swipe, tap and discover.

Available on iTunes and Google Play

Before you hurry to download these great apps to your iPad, remember to find apps that not only educate your children but are fun to play as well. Explore apps that you can both enjoy together because the best fun a child can have is with you.

Look for apps that will help with their intellectual development, and hand-eye coordination during this period of critical development. But never forget about monitoring screen time because your toddler needs to experience life away from the tablet or smartphone, developing social skills and identifying social cues. This is gained by having them socialize with other toddlers at the park or part of a playgroup, balancing screen time with plenty of social interaction. So have fun experiencing these apps together, and not only will your toddler's knowledge grow, but so will their bond with you.