apps and technology Archives

February 4, 2022 by

NAPPA Award Winners Announced: January 2022

Meet our latest NAPPA Award Winners announced in January 2022:

Preschool Genius

A set of dry-erase activities and games with a genius twist. The set has questions that add a deeper engagement with learning. $27.95, ages 3-6, amazon.com

The 12 Systems of the Body: Adventure Series Book Set

Introduces 12 systems of the human body to build a foundation for human anatomy. This series includes the five senses, the skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, digestive, immune system and more. $120, ages 8+, knowyourself.com

206 Bones of the Human Body- 4 Book Set

From your head to your toes, this 206 Bones of the Human Body- 4 Book set has a lot to discover about the human body, especially for children. Includes Hands, Arm & Shoulder; Foot, Leg & Pelvis; Rib Cage & Spine; Head, Face & Neck. $79 for set or $19.99 per book, ages 8+, knowyourself.com

Art Puzzle-Dancing Lion

Features Chinese cultural elements of traditional folk customs of the lion dance. Contains 18 knowledge points so kids can learn about these traditions as they explore their creativity. $21.99, ages 5-8, toiworld.com

My First Puzzle-Dinosaur

Double-sided puzzle pieces feature dinosaurs on one side and bones/skeletons on the other. Great for building problem-solving skills and imagination. The number of pieces increase step-by-step to challenge toddlers through their developmental growth. $13.99, ages 2-4, toiworld.com

Ahaaa Math

Make math fun with this game-based learning app for kids. Covers a wide variety of skills including geometry and logical thinking with 5,000+ exercises and games. Safe for kids with no ads. $59.99/yearly or $8.99/monthly, ages 4-10, ahaaamath.com

PJ Library Presents Podcasts: Afternoons with Mimi and Beyond the Books

Two new podcasts from the beloved organization that has been sharing free children’s book with Jewish values throughout the world. Well-known tales come to life in a fun new way that connects kids to Jewish traditions, culture, holidays and values. “Afternoons with Mimi” is designed for younger kids and “Beyond the Bookcase” is for kids ages 6 to 12. Free, PJLibrary.org/podcast

January 18, 2021 by

Check out our NAPPA Award winning Apps — best for kids and families are featured here. CLICK HERE to see the winners.

May 6, 2020 by NAPPA Awards Team

We’re so excited for this! Welcome to Julie’s Library, where books bring us together. Every week, Julie Andrews and her daughter Emma Walton Hamilton will settle into the reading nook for a new story during their story time podcast. This is definitely one of our favorite things!

January 29, 2020 by

Our latest NAPPA Award winners bring fun and learning together.

Bookful

A mobile app for kids that uses augmented reality to bring books to life. Choosing from an extensive library of AR books that features the best publishers such as Penguin Random House and DK, the child can learn, read and have fun at the same time. The books range from classics such as Peter Rabbit to Hasbro’s Transformers. Ages 3-8, $59.99, bookful.app

Cooking class Global Feast!

Provides a wonderful opportunity for kids to gain practical kitchen skills through preparing food from around the world. Step-by-step photography feature children from a wide range of backgrounds preparing dishes that reflect their unique food traditions. A pop-out food passport, world language flash cards, and flag stickers provide additional fun on their global food journey. Ages 8+, $18.95, www.storey.com

Heartsongs of the Rainbow

Created by a pediatric speech pathologist with the goal of uplifting, inspiring, nurturing and supporting those in the Special Needs Community. This album can also be enjoyed by all children. Each song allows children the opportunity to learn and demonstrate simple physical and gestural movements as well as to vocalize with repetitive, easy-to-make sounds. Ages 2-10, $15, theadrienneprocess.com

Busy Kid

Start the important conversations about money early with this educational app. Kids will learn about money management, including saving, spending, investing and helping others through the app. Ages 6-16, $7.99/year, Busykid.com

Be Kind: You Can Make the World a Happier Place! 125 Kind Things to Say & Do

With joyful illustrations and kid-friendly writing, this idea book serves as a delightful, easy-to-read collection of 125 concrete activities kids and their families can pick and choose from and act out in their daily lives — no special occasion required. Ages 5+, $12.95, storey.com

Kid Activists

Every activist started out as a kid—and in some cases they were kids when their activism began! But even the world’s greatest champions of civil liberties had relatable interests and problems–often in the middle of extraordinary circumstances. Features kid-friendly texts and full-color cartoon illustrations on nearly every page. Ages 9-12, $13.95, quirkbooks.com

For more book and app reviews, visit NAPPA Awards. #playlearnconnect

November 14, 2019 by

Whether you’re enjoying a quiet day at home during the winter holidays or taking a road trip, these award-winning sites can be a fun companion for fun and learning.

Sir Dapp! App

This game show improves manners by teaching kids, in a fun way, to be polite and respectful. Special holiday offer is $1.99 (from November 25-January 5), 5-8, www.sirdapp.com

Journey with Story – Children’s Storytelling Podcast

Hosted by children’s author and Scottish storyteller, Kathleen T. Pelley, who shares retellings of fairy tales and folktales, beloved classics, nonsense poems and a sprinkling of her own original tales, all with a distinctive Celtic flavor. Free, 3-10, www.journeywithstory.com

Pinna Audio Streaming

Ad-free audio streaming service curated exclusively for children, featuring podcast shows, stories and songs, as well as some of the best-known, award-winning kids’ podcasts, music and audiobooks from around the world. $7.99/month, $79.99/year, 3-12, www.pinna.fm

Samsung Kids

Features a huge library of games, videos and books featuring names like Peppa Pig, Dr. Panda, Toca Boca, Sesame Street, LEGO, Dr. Seuss, Thomas the Tank Engine and more, plus parental controls. only works on Samsung Galaxy devices. $4.99/month, 3-12, www.samsungkids.com

ArgoPrep: Online Test Prep | Prepare, Practice, Review

Offers online resources, tools and self-paced programs for K to 8 and various standardized exams such as the SAT and ACT. Free and paid subscriptions, 6+, www.argopreop.com

Video Poodle

Wholesome, fun, informational and ad-free video website made just for kids. Designed to engage, inspire and grow young minds. $10/year, 2-6, www.videopoodle.com

Study.com

Includes thousands of lessons across a variety of subjects, self-assessments and flashcards created by subject-matter experts. $39.99 to $59.99, grades 3-12 and college, www.study.com

FamilyAlbum

Simply and securely share family photos and videos with only the people you invite, featuring free and unlimited storage. Keeps memories organized and creates collages. Free, www.family-album.com

Let’s Read App

Gives parents, teachers, grandparents and other special friends and family an opportunity to record their voices reading children’s stories. Synchronizes your video/audio recordings with the app’s illustrations and text from an award-winning collection of picture books. Free, 4-7, www.letsreadapp.com

ABCmouse Mastering Math

Innovative, game-based adaptive early learning app that helps children build a strong understanding of number sense and operations. $9.99/month, $79.99/year, Preschool-2nd grade, www.ABCmouse.com

KidloLand Educational App

Discover 1000+ songs, nursery rhymes, games, stories and activities focusing on early learning, with no advertising. $4.99/month, $39.99/year, 1-7, www.kidloland.com

Tynker: Coding Games for Kids

A fun way to help children develop computational thinking and programming skills in a creative and intuitive way featuring interactive game-based courses. $120/year, $240/lifetime, 5-15, www.tynker.com

Dr. Panda Learn & Play

Learn numbers, letters, phonics and more through playing 30+ activities.$4.99/month, $29.99/year, 2-5, www.drpanda.com

Toca Kitchen Sushi

Your child becomes the chef of a busy seaside restaurant –slice up squid, asparagus, and candy canes, and roll it all up into a cone of seaweed. $3.99, 6-9, www.tocaboca.com

For more holiday gift ideas, visit NAPPA Awards. #holidaygifts #giftguide #playlearnconnect

August 6, 2019 by Elena Epstein

Summer is filled with so many great memories — family vacations, beach days and fun with friends. Now you can easily and securely share all your favorite photos and videos with these NAPPA Award winners.

FamilyAlbum

FamilyAlbum allows you to simply and securely share family photos and videos with only the friends and family members you invite. With free and unlimited storage, users can upload as many photos and videos as they like. FamilyAlbum keeps memories organized and creates collages to make look backs even more special. The app also includes special features to make communicating with the entire family easy and fun. Free.

Nixplay Seed 10.1 inch Widescreen (Wi-Fi)

The Nixplay Seed is the easiest way to share and enjoy your photos and videos. Using WiFi connectivity, instantly display photos and videos sent from anywhere in the world directly to your Nixplay frame using the mobile app keeping all your favorite memories, right at your fingertips.

For more product reviews, visit nappaawards.com

June 3, 2019 by Elena Epstein

We have new award-winning apps that bring fun and learning together!

KidloLand Educational App

KidloLand is a comprehensive learning program for kids. Discover 1000+ songs, nursery rhymes, games, stories, and activities focusing on early learning, English, Math, coding, arts and more. The app also helps develop skills such as logical thinking, fine motor skills and creativity. KidloLand is regularly updated with new content and is also completely ad-free. $4.99/monthly, $39.99/annually, ages 1-7.

Tynker: Coding Games for Kids

Get creative and learn about coding with Tynker’s innovative computing platform. A great way to help children develop computational thinking and programming skills in a fun and intuitive way. As they’re guided through interactive game-based courses, children quickly learn fundamental programming concepts. With Tynker, a child can apply their coding skills as they build games, tell stories, mod Minecraft, create apps, control drones and robots, and more. Parents can follow their child’s success and share their creations through a parent dashboard. $20/monthly, $120/annually, $240/lifetime, ages 5-15.

Dr. Panda Learn & Play

Dr. Panda & Toto are back in the brand new learning app “Dr. Panda Learn & Play”! Kids can play and learn numbers, letters, phonics and more through playing 30+ activities along with Dr. Panda, with more added all the time! Beyond games, books and videos, kids will also explore Dr. Panda & Toto’s world, play dress up, unlock new costumes, and discover all sorts of hidden activities around Dr. Panda’s home. $4.99/monthly, $29.99/annually, ages 2-5.

Toca Kitchen Sushi

With Toca Kitchen Sushi, your child becomes the chef of a busy seaside restaurant. Slice up squid, asparagus, and candy canes, and roll it all up into a cone of seaweed! Or make stars and hearts of watermelon and mix them with fish and hot peppers! Want to make the roundest rice ball? You’ve got great tools for that right at your fingertips. Then see what your customers think. $3.99, ages 6-9.

For more product reviews, visit nappaawards.com. #playlearnconnect

January 29, 2019 by

As parents, we love when fun and learning come together. That’s why we’re so excited for these latest NAPPA Award winners.

Sir Dapp! Game Show

Fun and etiquette come together with an animated silver-haired Schnauzer in the Sir Dapp! Game Show app. Children select from categories like “Sight What’s Polite,” “Historically Rude,” and “Trivia Soup,” with the main canine character, Sir Dapp, guiding them to complete fun raps, decide “who did it?,” figure out what is polite or rude and more. Occasional commercial “breaks,” PSA’s, and music videos with teaching messages further the game show theme. $3.99, ages 5-7.

Jabuka

Ready for a fun brain challenge? Jabuka will have you quickly twisting letters and transforming words in this clever and fast-paced word game. The playing pieces are shaped like coffee beans and packaged in a mini jute sack — perfect for on-the-go fun, especially when traveling. $20, ages 8+.

Let’s Read App

The Let’s Read app gives parents, teachers, grandparents and other special friends and family an opportunity to record their voices reading children’s stories. It’s fun and easy to use on your phone or tablet. The app synchronizes your video/audio recordings with the app’s illustrations and text from an award-winning collection of picture books. Families can then share their own personalized, read-aloud stories on a private, secure family network. Free, ages 4+

Video Poodle

Videopoodle.com is a wholesome, fun and informational video website made just for kids. It is a positive and trusted environment, free of advertising and unsafe links, where children can safely watch responsibly made videos designed to engage, inspire and grow young minds. All of Video Poodle’s series, videos and content are written, designed and produced in-house. $10/yearly subscription, ages 2-6.

January 15, 2019 by Elena Epstein

For parents looking to gain a greater understanding of their child’s screen use, we have two new NAPPA Award- winning Apps that help with the monitoring.

WebWatcher

This app allows parents to more closely monitor their tweens’ and teens’ device use. The App will send all recorded data to a secure web-based account which allows parents to monitor remotely from any device. WebWatcher allows parents to view messages (texts, Facebook and other social media), call history, photos, website history, GPS and more.$10.83/month.

Screen Time Parental Control

This app is designed to help parents gain a better understanding of just how much time their kids are spending on a screen. Includes a “pause button,” allowing parents to use their own smartphone to “pause” their child’s device remotely. The app also allows children to earn more screen time by doing specific things set up by the parents, such as chores or homework. Parents can also set daily screen time limits and block certain apps at specific times of day, in addition to many other useful features.$4.99/month.

November 13, 2018 by

Check out these terrific NAPPA Award-winning educational apps.

LetterSchool – Spelling Words!

LetterSchool is a fun and educational App with a wonderful mission — teaching the world to read and write while having fun. The App includes educational games for young children learning to read to work on sight words with endings such as -ab, -et, -at and -ut to increasingly more challenging endings such as -ock, -eed, -ish, etc. The program’s challenges increase with the child. $9.99, ages: 2 – 8.

Kidomi

Kidomi is an app that combines fun and learning. Featuring hundreds of puzzles to solve, adventures to read, inventions to build, creations to make and games to play from the top global content creators that kids know and love including Toca Boca, Crayola, Sago Sago, Highlights for Children and more. New activities are added every day. $7.99 monthly or $59.99 annually, ages 3-8

Connected Kids

Connected Kids is an online, self-directed study course that guides parents and educators to create and deliver mindfulness and meditations techniques that help kids and teens reduce anxiety and stress. Created by Lorraine E. Murray, author of “Calm Kids: Help Children Relax with Mindful Activities,” this program has been empowering adults to teach their kids and teens with mindful skills since 2003. A great way for adults to practice what they are teaching and for the whole family to learn these important skills. $230 for the course. For the entire family