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The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Friends app. (Handout)

Handout

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Screenshot from the Reading Rainbow app. (Handout)

Handout

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Monopoly app. (Handout)

Handout

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Settling in for hours in the air? Help mix things up for your kids by offering as many types of activities as cramped seating allows. When books and I Spy run dry, these apps cover a wide variety of interests and ages to keep everyone happy and occupied. Play virtual board games, such as Monopoly and Scrabble, or create books with WriteReader Pro. In the mood to play alone? Have kids try The Robot Factory by Tinybop or Thinkrolls 2 to keep them interested — and thinking. Whether you’re playing as a family or your kid’s playing solo, you’re bound to find something for everyone from one airport to the next.

1. The Very Hungry Caterpillar & Friends

Eric Carle faves teach vocab in English and other languages.

Recommended for ages 2 and older

Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch

2. Lazoo Art Box

Drawing prompts and animation inspire, but no save option.

Recommended for ages 3 and older

Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch

3. LumiKids Park by Lumosity, Early Learning Play for Kids

Practice core cognitive skills with fun, playful critters.

Recommended for ages 3 and older

Available on iPad

4. Mickey’s Magical Math World by Disney Imagicademy

Early math curriculum with cool graphics, parent controls.

Recommended for ages 3 and older

Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch

5. Peg + Cat: The Tree Problem

Help Cat out of trees with spatial skills; expect smiles.

Recommended for ages 3 and older

Available on iPad, Android, Fire phone, Kindle Fire

6. Bogga Vacation

Beach-trip travel prep with mini-games is fun at first.

Recommended for ages 4 and older

Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android, Fire phone, Kindle Fire

7. Highlights: All About

Popular magazine goes digital with interactive fun.

Recommended for ages 4 and older

Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch

8. Kiko’s Thinking time – Cognitive Training for Children’s Brains

Charming games help little ones build core cognitive skills.

Recommended for ages 4 and older

Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch

9. Reading Rainbow

Classic reborn as fee-based e-library with great selection.

Recommended for ages 4 and older

Available on iPad, Kindle Fire

10. Sprinkle Junior

Water puzzles for youngsters; super fun, stays shallow.

Recommended for ages 4 and older

Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android

11. Crazy Gears

Fun STEM-themed free play with easy offscreen connections.

Recommended for ages 5 and older

Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch

12. Gro Garden

Free play in virtual sustainable garden requires patience.

Recommended for ages 5 and older

Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android, Fire phone, Kindle Fire

13. Thinkrolls 2

Maze puzzler packed with smart, science fun.

Recommended for ages 5 and older

Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android, Fire phone, Kindle Fire

14. WriteReader Pro

Kids learn to write via practicing, mirroring, publishing.

Recommended for ages 5 and older

Available on iPad

15. Barefoot World Atlas

Delightful way to learn about animals, people, and more.

Recommended for ages 4 and older

Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch

16. Odd Squad: Blob Chase

Capture blobs and problem-solve in fun, leveled games.

Recommended for ages 6 and older

Available on iPad, Android, Kindle Fire

17. The Robot Factory by Tinybop

Stellar sandbox tool drives kids to improve designs.

Available for ages 6 and older

Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch

18. Where’s My Water

Puzzler’s plot, unique gameplay will captivate young or old.

Available for ages 6 and older

Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android, Chromebook, Kindle Fire, Nook HD, Apps for Windows, Windows Phone

19. Game Room

Beauty of a board game set — for two or more players only.

Available for ages 7 and older

Available on iPad

20. Hovercraft — Build Fly Retry

Cool 3-D modeling, racing, and revision; lots of ads.

Recommended for ages 7 and older

Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android, Fire phone, Kindle Fire

21. Minecraft — Pocket Edition

Worthy spin-off of popular PC game encourages creativity.

Recommended for ages 8 and older

Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch, Android, Kindle Fire

22. MONOPOLY

Faithful adaptation lets kids take classic game to go.

Recommended for ages 8 and older

Available on iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android, Kindle Fire, Nook HD

23. Motion Math: Cupcake!

Sweet bakery sim serves up adaptive learning, lots of fun.

Recommended for ages 8 and older

Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch

24. Stack the States

Surprisingly fun geography education game.

Recommended for ages 8 and older

Available on iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Apps for Windows, Windows Phone

25. StoryLines

Pass-and-play fun for families, friends; FB play optional.

Recommended for ages 8 and older

Available on iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch