THE GEAR • February 2019

Seven brilliant apps to keep kids happy in the air

You’ve made it onto the plane, now all you want to do is kick back and enjoy the flight, but your children have other ideas. The Club pick the best apps to keep little ones occupied at 35,000 feet, leaving you to enjoy a stress-free journey

Toca Life: World

This is the new app from the clever people at Toca Boca, who ‘make digital toys from the kid perspective’. Opening up a world of make-believe in which children can explore different locations and interact with a vibrant range of characters, Toca Life: World brings together all the Toca Life apps (City, Hospital, Office and so forth) under one mega app to keep kids entertained.
Who for: recommended ages 6 to 8 years
How much: free for Android and iOS

My Very Hungry Caterpillar

Every child – and their parents – will be familiar with Eric Carle’s ravenous larva and its ability to munch through pretty much anything. Now the bedtime favourite has been transformed into an interactive character, which youngsters must feed, play with and look after. The beautifully illustrated app by StoryToys – which culminates in the cute critter transforming into a butterfly – is an excellent way of encouraging nurturing skills and a love of nature.
Who for: recommended ages 4+ years
How much: £4.99, Android and iOS

Artie’s Magic Pencil

While many apps allow kids to unleash their creative side by drawing and painting digitally, wannabe Picassos will particularly enjoy this artistic number from Minilab. By helping Artie fight a destructive monster and rebuild his world with his magic pencil, they’ll be learning the fundamentals of drawing through retracing and customising shapes and objects. The delightful handcrafted animations are an inspiration.
Who for: recommended ages 3 to 6 years
How much: £2.99, iOS

Kodable

People often liken coding to grasping a new language or picking up a musical instrument. And when better to acquire this new skill than on a long flight? Kodable is the perfect introduction, allowing little ones to play a variety of games that teach the basics. Can they help the Fuzz family explore the mazes on planet Smeeborg? By using logic, problem-solving and strategy, the answer is yes.
Who for: recommended ages 4 to 11 years
How much: free for iOS

Barefoot World Atlas

This app from Touch Press, based on the book of the same name, takes children on an interactive journey around a 3D globe, introducing them to animals, indigenous people and plenty of interesting facts about the world we live in (which can either be read or are narrated by BBC TV presenter Nick Crane). It’s a colourful and engaging geography lesson and will keep budding explorers occupied for hours.
Who for: recommended ages 9 to 11 years
How much: £4.99, Android and iOS

Thinkrolls: Kings & Queens

This gentle game from award-winning creative studio Avokiddo promises an enchanting adventure of castles, dragons, spells and magic. The aim is simple – clear a pathway, so the roly-poly Thinkrolls can obtain the key and unlock the gate to the next puzzle. These puzzles (228 in total) are designed to test players’ logic-solving abilities, as well as introduce them to simple physics concepts such as gravity, force and light reflection. It’s fun and educational – win-win.
Who for: recommended ages 5+ years
How much: £3.99, Android and iOS

Terraria

It’s rare to find children of a certain age who don’t love Minecraft. Not to be outdone, Terraria – aka the land of action-adventure and mystery – also allows players to create unique 2D worlds. Whether it’s digging and exploring for raw materials, fighting enemy hordes with various weapons or constructing ginormous fortresses, this game has something for everyone. The tweens will be engrossed.
Who for: recommended ages 12+ years
How much: £4.49 Android and £4.99 iOS