Thursday, July 15, 2010

Apple iPad apps entertain kids on the road


If you are traveling with kids this summer and hope to avoid the dreaded "are we there yet" whine, mobile apps can help.

You no longer need to amass coloring books, magnetic board games, toys and hidden pictures books. A few quick downloads from the iTunes store can provide a wide variety of travel boredom busters.

This column focuses on apps for the iPad, because its big, high-definition touch screen is so easy for kids to play on; but most of these apps come in versions for the iPhone and iPod Touch as well.

Multiplayer apps

HD: 4 out of 4 stars; best for ages 6 and up; $4.99 for iPad; from Gameloft

This award-winning board game transfers seamlessly to the iPad. With great tutorials, kids quickly learn the strategy of placing 21 Tetris-like pieces on a grid to earn points and block their opponent's pieces. This fabulous thinking game can be played alone or with up to four players.

-Trip-Bingo HD: 4 out of 4 stars; best for ages 4 and up; $1.99 for iPad; from Bright Bunny

Your kids will watch out the car window with great interest when playing Road-Trip-Bingo on the iPad. This version offers a two-bingo-boards mode so two kids can play at the same time. The bingo boards are full of things you might see while driving including road signs and colored cars. Kids tap the card's image when they see it outside, and the first to get bingo wins.

No comments:

Post a Comment