Hello! My youngest daughter turns 7 this weekend. She wanted cupcakes for her classroom. Usually I write an introduction about the state of APPfairs, but right now I can’t see straight because I was baking and decorating throughout the evening. It’s a good problem to have. For those of you who are like me, watching your kids grow so quickly right before your eyes, “Happy App Friday”. May we all blow out many candles of free apps this week.
Featured Apps (Click the image to read the descriptions in iTunes. Promotional pricing lasts until 8pm US PST Friday, unless extended by the developer.)
NOTE TO PARENTS AND TEACHERS: Please screen apps in advance of making them available to your children or your classrooms, so that you are familiar with any dynamic features and options.
Bug Games is the latest release from Busy Bee Studios, a mom-with-app development company focused on preschool titles that have been very positively received on the app store. I was a beta tester for Bug Games, and found the interface to be professionally produced and pleasing for the kids. Susy has put all of her titles (shown below) at free and special prices today.
- Bug Games HD, $.99
- Bug Games iPhone, FREE
- Zoo Train, $.99
- Giggle Ghosts for iPad, FREE
Tiny Genius, FREE for App Friday. This one is a little tough for me to review since my kids are older than the target audience, but it looks like it has lots of options for parents, and here is a succinct overview from the app description: “TinyGenius is a flash cards app for children, newborns and toddlers, that stimulate sight, hearing and language development. Fun, eye-catching photos and artwork with possibility to switch languages while playing.” Recently updated with new sound files, and privacy disclosures in the app description.
Easy Chinese Writing – I Write Chinese has multiple titles with activities for learning Chinese Words. I downloaded the “simplified” version, and really liked the ease-of-use while actually writing Chinese characters. You can choose word groups like nature, family, numbers or transportation, and then a sample character comes up that you can trace. In addition, there are audio files of the words in various languages. So, not only do you trace it, but you also say it, and are able to compare it in other languages.
- Easy Chinese Writing – I Write Chinese (simplified) – $.99
- Easy Chinese Writing – I Write Chinese (traditional) – $.99
- Easy Chinese Writing – I Write Chinese LITE – FREE
Facebook Has A New Look
We are kicking off in Australia at 8pm Sydney time (that’s one hour after midnight, PST) on the Treasure Kai Facebook Page. Then, join us at 10:00am PST / 1:00pm EST at the Busy Bee Facebook Page . Our Facebook events are opportunities to interact directly with the developers who create the apps, while browsing app news and grabbing a few deals. NOTE: We aren’t quite sure how Facebook’s new “timeline” look will impact the parties, so watch out for tips as we move through the event.
Weekly News
- Check out the Noodle Words bugs on our banner program this week!
- Volume 20 of the App Report has a long list of new, family-friendly titles hitting the App Store.
- Here is a statement from the National Association of for the Education of Young Children, and the Fred Rogers Center, on “Interactive Media as Tools in Early Childhood Programs Serving Children from Birth through Age 8“.
- Recap on the new iPad, from VentureBeat.
- What three things can you do to help kids stay curious? Check out the Curious Kids Campaign, just launched from the U.K., by the developers of ABC Spy.
- Congratulations Karen Robertson of Treasure Kai apps. Your post about Five Free Way to Market Your App just landed on BlogHer.com!
The Staytoooned Link Exchange
Our Link Exchange this week is brought to you by Jane at Staytoooned, our first Grandma-with-app who created the iTouchiLearn series of apps for kids! At our link exchange, add links to your favorite apps, blog posts, Facebook pages – or any link that covers family-friendly apps. Please include the app name (or page name) in the Link Title, your email, and a URL. Thanks for participating!
What happened to Jane’s Chalkboard Games? It never did come up “Free” for the iPhone. Thanks for the continuous good apps and offers you find for us on App Friday.
@Diana, the price changes did not take effect, so I eventually removed the listing.