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You are here: Home / Archives for kids apps

Balefire Labs: iOS App Evaluations Service #BalefireLabsKids

August 25, 2013 by Momstart 2 Comments

I often get asked for advice on which apps someone should download and the only way I know how to give advice is to recommend something I’ve tried out with my own children and that limits me to the iPad, Windows Phone and just recently (only the past month) have I had the android. We started out using mostly the iPad and there are even app differences between the iPhone and the iPad so my advice is very device limited I think.

It would be nice if we could find a website that could list all the apps and all the devices but it’s very difficult to keep up with the amount of devices out there and the amount of apps that come out every day, but there is a website that is working on it and so far doing a great job serving as an App Evaluation site on iOS apps.

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Thanks to MomItForward, I’m being compensated to participate in a campaign with Balefire Labs. Balefire Labs is dedicated to helping parents find educational apps on the iOS platform saving them time and money. They believe that high quality instructional apps can help children learn and develop usable skills that they will need as they grow into adults and contribute positively to society. They exist because they think that parents and educators should have access to a non-biased, objective source of product reviews so that they have the information they need to choose products that best build children’s skills. Each app is reviewed on certain criteria and an honest evaluation is presented. I did a search for app for the age group 4-6 which is where my children fall and pulled up a basic chart that compared educational apps for their age

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Each check mark and x is a category they evaluated and it either passed or failed in that category. You can then go into each app and read a full review that includes pros and cons and the price and where to download it. They currently only have reviews for iOS, however; I did read on their site that they are moving towards adding android. Balefire Labs reviews apps for all ages.

I’m actually really impressed with the amount of thought they put into each app they review and the sheer amount of apps they have reviewed. To me it appears that they provide a very high standard and to receive a B+ is an actual accomplishment that they provide a reward for. Balefire Labs, Inc. is the only service available that uses objective criteria and makes its evaluation process transparent to parents and teachers.  Looking at the majority of the apps, I haven’t found an app that has rated above a B+. I really feel that Balefire Labs is doing a great job reviewing apps and I can’t wait for them to expand to Android and maybe eventually even Windows Phone.

Now, if you want to use Balefire Labs it’s a one time fee of 3.99 for a month, or you can pay month to month at that same rate. You could save 1 a month if you pay for one whole year up front for 2.99 each month. To keep up with changes and more information on Balefire Labs Follow them on Facebook, Twitter and Google+.

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Filed Under: giveaway Tagged With: app evaluation site, app review site, Balefire Labs, giveaway, kids apps

10 Disney Digital Books for Young iPad App Readers

July 14, 2011 by Momstart 14 Comments

Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue—A Magical Adventure

Tinker Bell is trapped on the mainland! Find out how Vidia, Rosetta, Silvermist and the other fairies use their talents to rescue Tink in this magical storybook app.

Both Miles and Zoe are greatly enjoying Tinker Bell and the Great Fairy Rescue. We have the movie and watching them listen to the story is better than the movie. There is an interactive part to it where Zoe believes if she blows on the iPad she can make more fairy dust appear. Readers can control the magic by “blowing” fairy dust into the scene with an exciting new interactive feature. Plus, animated surprises throughout the story will be sure to delight fairy fans! I love watching her make the Fairy Dust. She gets so excited every time.

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TRON: Legacy The Complete Story

Sam Flynn is the rebellious 27-year-old son of Kevin Flynn, a computer programmer who disappeared when Sam was just a child. When Sam looks into his father’s disappearance, he finds himself pulled into the same world of brutal programs and gladiatorial games where his father has been living for almost 25 years. Along with Kevin’s loyal confidante, Quora, Kevin Flynn and his son Sam must embark on a life-and-death voyage across a visually-stunning cyber universe to put an end to the evil Clu and his reign of this digital world.

I was worried that Tron Legacy the Complete story would be too scary for Miles. It’s not scary, this one has the book option where you can read it to yourself, or you can watch the mini videos of the story come alive listening aloud. Miles prefers the videos since I’m not always available to read it to him.

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Winnie the Pooh: What’s a Bear to do? Puzzle Book

THE STORY: Pooh’s tummy is rumbly, but his yummy honey is hiding! Read along as your favorite stuffed bear searches high and low for a sweet treat. Then it’s up to you to help Pooh Bear find his missing honey pots, and complete fun and challenging puzzles along the way!

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Cars 2 Storybook Deluxe

From Flo’s V8 Café, to Mater’s Tow Yard, to Doc’s Garage, get an inside look at all the places your favorite Cars characters call home, complete fun and challenging puzzles and collect sticker decals along the way!

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Finding Nemo My Puzzle Book

Nemo’s first day at school leads to a bigger journey than he ever imagined! Follow the story as Marlin searches for Nemo, complete fun and challenging puzzles and collect treasures along the way.

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Princess and the Frog Read – Along

Meet Tiana, a beautiful Louisiana girl who dreams of owning her own restaurant and Naveen, a spoiled, jazz-loving prince who doesn’t know the meaning of hard work. These two have nothing in common – until they kiss and are magically transformed into frogs! From the heart of New Orleans’ mystical bayou comes an unforgettable tale of love and enchantment, filled with an amazing cast of characters and plenty of Cajun charm.

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Toy Story Read-Along

When Andy goes to Cowboy Camp, Woody gets toy-napped! Buzz Lightyear and the other toys set out to rescue their friend before he is shipped off to a museum in Japan. In this action-packed adventure, Woody learns all about his past and makes new friends that are sure to last a lifetime.

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Disney Comics

The Disney Comics app is your portal for all your favorite Disney comics. Download the app and search for your preferred character to enjoy a new adventure every time. Different reading modes let you Read the comic on your own, Activate auto-play, or Tap into the panels to move throughout the page. From Lightning McQueen to Buzz Lightyear, TRON to Rapunzel — and, of course, Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck and their friends — all the stars of Disney come alive on your mobile device, one comic panel at a time!

Princess Dress-Up: My sticker Book

With a swipe of a finger, you can change outfits and accessories, add tiaras, and then send your child’s royal portrait to friends, family, and fellow princesses! With each new photo, it’s a fresh round of creative dress-up play.
New Features include:
– 1 new PRINCESS: Tiana joins the dress-up fun!
– 7 new STORIES: Now there’s a story for every princess!
– 25 new OUTFITS and ACCESSORIES: More ways to mix and match, including SHOES!
Plus, now you can switch back and forth between the FULL-BODY and CLOSE-UP views, and your outfits will STAY IN PLACE! Just tap the Necklace icon for close-up or the Dress icon for full-body.

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Disney Epic Mickey Digicomics

Select one of the six Disney Epic Mickey – Tales of Wasteland Digicomics and discover Disney Epic Mickey’s world in a prequel to the videogame storyline. Read it on autoplay or tap into the panels to move throughout the page. Downloading the Disney Epic Mickey app, costumers will in plus have the chance to take a look at the map of Wasteland, the trailer of the videogame and the character files.

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We received samples to facilitate this review.

Filed Under: review Tagged With: app, Disney digital books, iPad, iPad 2, iPad app, kids apps

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