Best iPad Apps for a Toddler

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We just got back from California and Blaire’s iPad has never been more full of fun games! Like I’ve said before, I have read countless blog posts on toddler’s favorite iPad apps and can’t say any of them were very helpful. I’ve spend so. much. time downloading apps for Blaire and letting her test them out and we finally have a fun little collection built up in our iPad.

Below I’ve divided her favorite apps between free and paid. I’m just going to preface that free ‘lite’ apps are somewhat annoying to me. I HATE the pop ups asking you to purchase. And it’s so hard to find a good one that’s absolutely free. If I know Blaire loves an app, then it’s worth it to me to upgrade to the paid version because it’s annoying if she’s interrupted every 2 minutes with a pop up. So, some of the apps below are technically free, but then have the option to upgrade to a paid version with more bells & whistles.

Free Apps

1. Peekaboo Barn Lite: We upgraded to the paid version to get all of the animals. The only thing annoying about this app is the child who pronounces the names of the animals doesn’t say each animal’s name grammatically correct. A rabbit is a wabbit, etc. My favorite animal in this app is the llama, because Blaire thought it said mama for the first few weeks!
2. Elmo Loves ABCs: The free version comes with A, B, & C. B was happy with just those three for months! ;) It includes songs and videos for each letter. It also lets your child learn how to trace the letters.
3. Elmo Loves 123s: The free version comes with 1, 2, & 3. This app is very similar to the ABC app, just with numbers.
4. Shapes: Blaire’s favorite part of this app is the little puzzle section. It’s helped her learn the name of some shapes, and it really impressed me that she could match up the shapes!
5. Talking Ginger: This app gets annoying— But Blaire thinks it’s hilarious! The cat repeats everything you say. She especially loves the toilet paper game and she’s surprisingly good at it.
6. TinyHands Towers 1: Includes 3 puzzles for free, with an option to purchase the rest. It surprised me how quickly Blaire learned how to do these puzzles! Some of them are simple, with only 4 or so pieces, and they get more complicated.
7. TinyHands Towers 2: Includes 3 puzzles for free, with an option to purchase the rest. This app is similar to the app above, just with different puzzles.
8. Sago Mini Friends: This game is fun! It has lots of different things to do so it keeps B busy for awhile.
9. Cat Piano: It’s a piano with cat sounds. It’s annoying to mama but Blaire likes it.

Paid Apps

1. Magic Phone starring Mickey Mouse ($2.99): Blaire sometimes doesn’t have the patience to talk to Mickey, but she loves to text him! Be sure to allow access to your camera so your little one can actually Facetime with Mickey. ;)
2. Elmo Loves ABCs ($4.99): Includes songs and games for each letter of the alphabet. It includes songs and videos for each letter. It also lets your child learn how to trace the letters.
3. Elmo Loves 123s ($4.99): Includes songs and games for numbers 1 – 20. This app is very similar to the ABC app, just with numbers.
4. Peekaboo Barn ($1.99): The only thing annoying about this app is the child who pronounces the names of the animals doesn’t say each animal’s name grammatically correct. A rabbit is a wabbit, etc. My favorite animal in this app is the llama, because Blaire thought it said “mama” for the first few weeks!
5. Pee-a-Zoo Pack ($9.99): This includes 4 different games that have lots and lots of animals. From zoo animals,to underwater animals, to farm animals. They’re all here.
6. TinyHands Towers 1 ($2.99): You get the first free puzzles for free and the rest are included in the paid version. It surprised me how quickly Blaire learned how to do these puzzles! Some of them are simple, with only 4 or so pieces, and they get more complicated.
7. TinyHands Towers 2 ($2.99): This app is similar to the app above, just with different puzzles.

Okay, so there you have it. Our toddler’s favorite apps. What are your toddler’s favorite apps? I know we’ve barely hit the tip of the iceberg here and would to know what we’re missing out on! We’ve really been trying to find a fun app with Thomas the Train… no luck yet! I’m thinking iTunes gift cards might be the perfect birthday gifts for this little lady. ;) xo