21 apps for parents

Grocery Gadget is a great app for managing and economizing your grocery shopping. It lets you create a dynamic, reusable shopping list in which you can transfer ingredients from whole recipes in a pinch, among other things. You can also share your list with other family members so they can add or delete items. The app also allows you to sort your items, utilize eCoupons, scan barcodes, manage your spending, calculate taxes and more.
Where to Buy? iTunes.ca, $2.

There are several apps on the market that help shoppers find coupons. But most of these are US-based. The best coupon app for Canadians is Clip Mobile. It lets you find, store and redeem coupons from your favourite Canadian shopping and dining destinations. You can even show the stores the coupon right on your smartphone ― and start saving!

Where to Buy? iTunes.ca, FREE

Kytephone will bring parents peace of mind. This helpful app turns an Android into a kid-friendly phone with limits on game-time and restrictions that block calls from strangers. Plus, Kytephone has GPS tracking so parents can help keep little ones safe with real-time results. The best part? You can switch back to "Parent Mode" if the Android is a family phone.
Where to Buy? play.google.com, FREE

Ever been on a road trip with a panicky preschooler who’s got to go to the washroom now? Well, this is the app for you (for all of us!). Sit or squat lets you find the nearest washroom whenever your little one has to go now. Just enter your postal code et voila! The nearest washroom is just a click away (not quite close enough, but still…).

Where to Buy?
iTunes.ca, FREE

Track your expenses with this nifty app that lets you log, manage and budget your monthly spending, bills, income and more. The app even allows you to store photos of your receipts ― which is a plus for products with warranties. And, bonus, you can sync the app with other devices in your household at no extra cost.

Where to Buy?
iTunes.ca $5. (A free “lite” version is also available.)

Now you never need to leave home without your trusty WebMD database. Search for your child’s symptoms, find pharmaceutical info, treatment possibilities, discover first-aid must-haves and local listings right on your mobile device.

Where to Buy?
iTunes.ca, FREE

Potty training just got easier with this handy app that helps you get clever with your reward system when paper charts and stickers just won’t do. You can even reward your child for using the potty when you’re away from home. The app also offers effective tips on everything from training strategies to potty-refusal remedies. Need a little something extra? Well, this app actually simulates a running-water sound to help your child get the job done!

Where to Buy?
iTunes.ca, $3

Showtimes is probably the best app out there right now for spontaneous Canadian movie lovers. Got a sudden urge to see a movie? Or maybe it’s started raining, and the kids’ soccer game is cancelled? Showtimes will allow you to find which movies are playing, when they’re playing and where. The app will even provide you with a map to the theatre, the running time of the movie (which is important for younger children), the movie’s rating, links to reviews and more.


Where to Buy? iTunes.ca, FREE

This award-winning app features recipes gathered from cookbooks, magazines, top chefs and restaurants. Get inspired by the collections the app offers ― from Fast Breakfasts, to Dishes Kids Love, among others. Search the app easily by ingredient, meal type, dietary limitations, special occasions, keyword and more, and add ingredients to the app’s shopping list feature, store your favourites for easy access, or have recipes emailed to you.

Where to Buy?
iTunes.ca, FREE. Also compatible with Android.

Never fear, iHomeopathy is here to help you with your homeopathic needs. No need for hefty books or sifting through Google results, this app provides the parent-friendly info you need for treating everything from children’s bumps, bruises to everyday illnesses with natural, homeopathic remedies.

Where to Buy?
iTunes.ca, $4

Got BabyBrain? Most of us sleepless parents do, so this highly acclaimed app is ideal for helping us log our baby’s activities so we don’t forget them. Keep track of when you feed or change your baby, for example, when your baby had tummy time or his last nap, medications, fevers, reactions to foods ― the possibilities are endless, and the data space is unlimited. The app works for multiple babies, too, which is obviously good news for parents of twins!


Where to Buy? iTunes.ca, $3

This trusted “in case of emergency” app allows you to keep all your family’s emergency contacts (including photos) and medical information in one place. The app also allows you to download a medical ID card that stores more information than an ID bracelet.

Where to Buy?
iTunes.ca, $3

Not sure what to cook for dinner? Spin it on the popular AllRecipes Dinner Spinner app. Simply select the ingredients you have in your fridge and spin up a yummy meal. There are lots of options, including what type of dish you want to create, how much time you have and more. Includes scrumptious photos and a handy search feature that all help make this spinner a winner for families.

Where to Buy?
iTunes.ca, FREE

Going travelling? Now you’re just a Skype away from your kids. Skype also lets you make free long-distance calls to keep out-of-town friends and relatives close.



Where to Buy? iTunes.ca, FREE

Also compatible with Android.

When’s Passover this year? Easter? Looking to schedule time off from work? Look no further, IsWhen will let you know when all of the holidays occur. This simple app will tell you the date of every holiday or event ― including Canadian Thanksgiving, Mother’s Day, Hanukkah and solar eclipses and more!


Where to Buy? iTunes.ca, FREE

AroundMe is the perfect tool for parents on the go! It’ll help you locate any destination, both locally and abroad ― malls, movie theatres, parking, restaurants, hospitals, gas stations, grocery stores and more. Its bonus mapping feature allows you to send routes to your friends.


Where to Buy? iTunes.ca, FREE

Planning a camping trip? A weekend at the cottage? Skiing trip? Bike ride? The Weather Network app lets you predict the weather up to a week in advance. Never get stuck in the rain without your kids’ funky umbrellas again.


Where to Buy? iTunes.ca, FREE

When you want to buy something, and you have two screaming kids tugging at your purse, you need Barcode Reader ― now. It allows you to scan a barcode and instantly get price comparisons (in Canadian currency, once you set it up) among Amazon, eBay, Google product searches, WalMart.com and more. The app also allows you to create wishlists and send them to friends (hint, hint!).

Where to Buy?
iTunes.ca, FREE. Also compatible with Android

Attention craft lovers! This app is a must-have for you. It gives you access to Disney’s FamilyFun library of family craft ideas suitable for a range of ages, from preschoolers to tweens. You’ll find holiday crafts, seasonal crafts and quick crafts to occupy the kids for hours. The app also lets you create shopping lists for the craft store, and it helps you organize, share and keep tabs of your projects.


Where to Buy? iTunes.ca, FREE

No need to smash that piggy bank ― keep it for decoration. iAllowance lets you manage your kids’ finances while teaching them about making, saving and spending their money. The attractively designed app also lets you track chores, create multiple accounts, sync data among various phones, implement parental controls and much more.


Where to Buy? iTunes.ca, $4

Still clinging on to that baby weight? Lose it! is a proven, highly-acclaimed app that will help you shed those extra pounds. Use it to create attainable weight loss goals, log your nutrient intake, create calorie budgets for the day, log your food and exercise against your calorie budget and more. The app features an extensive database of food and activities, to which you can add your own concoctions, meals and recipes to make things even easier.

Where to Buy?
iTunes.ca, FREE

Soon to be compatible with Android.