10 cool apps for summer fun

Whether you're driving to the cottage, braving a long flight or unwinding after a day at the park, there's an app out there to entertain your kids.

This summer, make the most of technology with these awesome kids' apps!

If your toddler has a TV screen nearby, chances are she's met the popular cartoon character Caillou. Now the feisty little fella is available on a touchscreen in a new educational game called House of Puzzles. Your child can explore a bunch of different rooms in Caillou's big blue house, dragging and dropping puzzle pieces along the way.

Ages: 1-3
Platform: iOS




Where to Buy? Free, iTunes.com

From the company that brought our toddlers Wheels on the Bus and Itsy Bitsy Spider, Duck Duck Moose now has another award-winning app your little ones will love. More Trucks HD makes it easy for tiny fingers to drive, race, and steer fire trucks, monster trucks, and tow trucks (who doesn't love trucks?). If you're heading out on a road trip this summer, download this app before you go to get your kids in the spirit. Here's wishing you a fun and peaceful ride.

Ages: 1-3
Platform:  iOS

Where to Buy? $2, iTunes

Sure, it's fun to watch your child doodle on an iPad, but it's even more rewarding to watch him learn how to use a pen and paper.  Drawnimal serves up animated animal faces, such as eyes and ears, so your wee one can set the iPad on top of a piece of paper and use a pen to draw the missing parts (on the paper, not the iPad!) — whiskers, ears, tails, and more. Going on vacation this summer? This creative and educational tool will help to eat up some time while your kids are trying to unwind after a long day at the beach or lake.

Ages: 3-6
Platform: iOS




Where to Buy? Free, iTunes

If your summer includes a trip to the cottage, there is nothing better than exploring the night sky. Star Chart will turn your Android device into the coolest exploration gadget around! Just point your smartphone into the sky after dark and you'll discover more than 5,000 stars, 88 constellations, and a catalogue of exotic sky objects.

Ages: 6-12
Platform: Android



Where to Buy? $3, Google Play

Summertime is the perfect time to learn a new skill. With Piano for Kids, your child can keep up with lessons on the go. This virtual keyboard will make it easy to learn notes with a full 18-key piano. When you hit a button, not only is there sound but there is also a light to keep the learning interactive.

Ages: 6-12
Platform: BlackBerry

 

Where to Buy?

If your children love animals, this app will keep them busy all summer long. With more than 48 animal videos, See 'n Say is the perfect download for a long plane ride or road trip. Not only will this app help your preschooler identify animals and learn their sounds, there are also additional animal facts. For example: frogs don't drink water, but instead they soak it in through their special skin. Even parents can learn a thing or two!

Ages: 2-5
Platform: iOS

Where to Buy? $2, iTunes

Teach kids to paint without the mess. While your little ones will probably prefer to tool around with paint and paintbrushes, when neither is within reach, Doodle Buddy should do the trick. Aside from drawing with their fingers, they can also play with stamps, sounds, glitter, chalk, and stencils. When your child has finished with an award-winning doodle, it's easy to email to Grandma and Grandpa.

Ages: 2-5
Format: iOS

Where to Buy? Free, iTunes

Thanks to the big buttons and a colourful interface, your little ones will love messing around with various filters and effects on this camera app. There are also stickers and speech bubbles for older kids! Your child can add hats and glasses to their favourite faces. The best part: The delete button in this app is turned off by default, so all the photos are easily saved, and all to the app itself (rather than filling your photo albums.) FirstCamera has no location tagging, either, so your child's privacy is protected.

Ages: 2-5
Platform: iOS
Where to Buy? Free, iTunes

Never underestimate how tech-savvy children can be. With this collage-making app, your children can take their summer photo memories and create easy-to-share galleries. Aside from simple editing functionality, there are also a number of border and pattern choices to spruce up the final photo product. While this app might need some parental help, it's easy to figure out.

Ages: 6-12
Platform: Android
Where to Buy? Free, Google Play

If the summer weather turns wet and lands you indoors, one good idea is to head into the kitchen with your kids for some cooking and bonding time. While this app focuses on giving parents tips to help their kids cook, there are also a number of built-in games to teach children about the food pyramid and other food basics. With everything from safety tips for really wee chefs, to how to have good family conversations around the dinner table, this download is a must.

Ages: 6-2 (plus parents!)
Platform: iOS
Where to Buy? Free, iTunes

Let these fantastic apps help you and your family make the most out of summer!