technology

Your cell phone can be one of the more expensive bills you have to pay each month, especially if you carry a smartphone. But if you put in some effort to research before buying a phone and choosing a carrier, there are ways you can save a lot of money on your bill. The amount you will save can amount to hundreds in a few years. Here are some tricks to saving on your cell phone:

Sign up for a no-contract deal: Although you can save up to hundreds on a new smartphone if you sign up for a contract deal, you can actually save more if you opt for a no-contract deal and pay full price for the phone. This Get Rich Slowly blogger found that the plan she wanted cost $110 a month without contract, versus $140 with the contract. Even though she'll have to pay more for the phone — $500 compared with the discounted $200 — she'll be saving $360 a year, which means she'll save $60 in the first year alone, followed by $360 the year after. Further, if she wants to switch carriers midway, then she won't have to pay any penalties, because she's not under contract. And that's not all; turns out some carriers even offer no-interest payment plans for the phones, so even if you can't afford to pay the full price upfront, you can pay it off in installments.

Comparison shop: The first rule of getting a bang for your buck on anything is to shop around. Check out what phone and plan best suit your needs. You can compare different carrier plans and pricing with ease by going to BillShrink. Just input your information and how you want to use the plan, and the site will give you a list of suggestions and the breakdown of each plan.

Get a prepaid phone: A pay-as-you-go phone can save you a lot of money, and you won't be locked down in a contract. Another benefit is you'll know exactly what you're going to be charged, and you won't be in for any nasty phone bill surprises. The prepaid option is a smarter option for people who never seem to meet their minutes quota and for those who aren't phone hogs. And if you think prepaid phones are outdated, then think again. Now you can even use a prepaid plan for smartphone models such as the iPhone 4S. You'll even get the option of unlimited data plans at cheaper rates than contract ones. Prepaid service providers that Consumer Reports recommended include TracFone, Virgin Mobile, Straight Talk, and T-Mobile.

Read on for more ways to save.

As summer days heat up and your kids look for activities to cool off, you don't have to worry about all the time they spend on your smart phone or tablet as long as the apps they choose are learning focused. Your child's teachers will be happy, too, when they discover next Fall that your child is ahead of the curve from all the learning this summer. To help you find the best ones, here are eight great iPad, iPhone, Nook, and Android apps that make learning math into a game. (We've recently covered reading apps here.)

A Note About Learning Math: Math is happening around us all day long. For kids, tasks like setting the table, matching socks and shoes, saving up for a special toy, and keeping track of the score at their sibling's soccer game means using math in meaningful ways. Encourage kids to take an active role in daily tasks that involve math. Praise them for becoming "mathematicians" with all the math they do every day!

Now to the apps!

Apps for Learning Numbers

 
TallyTots

Suggested ages: 3 to 5

What it teaches: Math (Counting/Reasoning, Number Recognition)

Why we recommend it: TallyTots makes learning numbers so much fun. Kids practice counting from 1 to 20 while tapping and playing short engaging games for each number. There is a cute number song that kids love to sing along with in the app. A great app for learning numbers and quantities.

Apple: iPhone, iPad  Get it here, $0.99.*

Android: From Amazon  Get it here, $0.99.*

Nook: Color, Tablet  Get it here, $1.99.*

i Learn With Boing: Savannah Adventures! HD 

Suggested ages: 3 to 6

What it teaches: Math (Operations, Counting/Reasoning, Number Recognition)

Why we recommend it: In Savannah Adventures math learning is tucked into delightful games kids love to play. Games include number and quantity identification with meerkats, number ordering with frogs, and a delightful early exposure addition and subtraction game with ostriches that encourages parents to get on the device too. Each game is highly repeatable and the progress level adjusts and is reported right in the app. Learn more about why we love this app at KinderTown.

Apple: iPad  Get it here, $0.99.*

Apps for Mental Math with Operations

 
Operation Math

Suggested ages: 6 and up

What it teaches: Math (Operations)

Why we recommend it: Mental math was never so much fun before Operation Math. Practice quickly computing addition, subtraction, multiplication and division to unlock levels and gear in the app. Mental math practice is something your child will be asking to do with this engaging game. Parent don't have to feel guilty as this kind of practice gives kids an advantage when solving more sophisticated problems when they get older.

Apple: iPhone, iPad  Get it here, $2.99.*

Android: From Amazon  Get it here, $2.99.*

Nook: Color, Tablet  Get it here, $2.99.*

Numbers League

Suggested ages: 6 and up

What it teaches: Math (Operations, Logic Games)

Why we recommend it: Numbers League is one the most exciting math apps we have reviewed. The challenging gameplay gets kids thinking about building quantities in a variety of ways. This app goes far beyond fact memorization, but encourages learning about number relationships. An app the whole family will enjoy. Read more about why we love this app at KinderTown

Apple: iPad  Get it here, $3.99.*

Math Games Kids Beg to Play

 
Marble Math Jr.

Suggested ages: 5 to adult

What it teaches: Math (Operations, Counting/Reasoning, Sequencing, Shapes, Time, Fractions, Money)

Why we recommend it: Marble Math Junior takes traditional math concepts and uses game play to get kids to solve problems and thin strategically. Instead of tapping the answers, your young child needs to weave in and out of a marble maze to identify the correct answers. The app gets tough, but kids love the challenge! Have an older child? Check out Marble Math for ages 8 and up. Read more about why we love this app at KinderTown.

Apple: Universal. Get it here, $1.99.*

Monkey Preschool Lunchbox

Suggested ages: 3 to 5

What it teaches: Math (Counting, Shapes, Sequencing) Language (Letters and Sounds)

Why we recommend it: Monkey Preschool Lunchbox takes basic early learning concepts and wraps them up with stickers, praise, bright colors and a silly monkey. Kids can't get enough of this app! Moms see their kids learning about colors, letters, counting, shapes, sizes, matching and more while the kids just think they get to play.

Apple: Universal  Get it here, $1.99.*

Android: From Google Play  Get it here, $1.99.*

Apps for Learning Shapes

 
My First Tangrams

Suggested ages: 5 to 7

What it teaches: Math (Shapes, Logic Games)

Why we recommend it: My First Tangrams is filled with shape puzzles perfect for learning shapes, colors and building spatial reasoning skills. Pictures come alive as shapes are placed on the screen, like a puzzle. 36 tangrams that range from easy to hard keep kids engaged. Build your own tangrams at home to extend the learning off the app too.

Apple: iPhone, iPad. Get it here, $1.99.*

Android: From Amazon. Get it here, $1.99.*

 
GazziliShapes

Suggested ages: 4 to 6

What it teaches: Math (Shapes)  

Why we recommend it: GazziliShapes encourages learning about shapes in everyday objects. An easy app for your child to pick up and use independently. Six levels progressively unlock as your child completes each increasingly harder scene. The narration is cute and teaches not only the names of the shapes, but what they look like and how to find the shapes around your house. 

Apple: iPhone, iPad. Get it here, FREE.*

*Price as of publication date

Carolina Nugent is an experienced educator and the Director of Education for KinderTown, an educational app store that helps busy parents find the best apps for young kids. Sometimes referred to as the "Chief Curation Officer," she's evaluated more than 1,000 apps for kids. See more of her reviews in the FREE KinderTown App, available for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Image Source: Marble Math Junior

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Summer may seem like the biggest travel season of the year, if you're headed abroad, cross country, or to far-off locales, travel time is ripe 365 days a year. Unfortunately, traveling can also have you racking up the charges on your credit card, but with these handy tech tips, you can save money while on the road now, or any time!

• Track down free WiFi — There's a number of US airports that offer free WiFi in the terminals (and more being added all the time), which can save you big money if you need to stay connected. Also, there's plenty of WiFi options getting to and from the terminal. Just don't use that mysterious "Free Public WiFi" signal — it could spell trouble.
• Get a Google Voice number — Getting a Google Voice number can help you save big bucks on international and domestic calls wherever you are — rates start at just two cents a minute, and calls to US and Canadian landlines are free! Plus, you can use your laptop to make calls, no cell phone required.

Check out the rest of the tips when you read more.

There are so many choices parents can make for their kids' summer experiences. Do you want your kids to have a mental break from school? Do you plan on homeschooling  them over the summer? Are you enrolled in a daycare that gives kids fun learning experiences through the break? No matter which path you take, it's easy to squeeze in learning with this list of reading apps, many of which are free. Your kids will be having so much fun they won't even notice they're sharpening their language and reading skills.

A Note About Learning to Read: We read all day, every day. From the box of cereal in the morning to the bedtime stories at night. Even if your kids don't make sense of the text like you do, they are being exposed to the beginning of reading! Your non-reader is seeing all this print and learning about what it means. Your new reader is able to sound out the letters and remember common words. Keep reading and talking about print with your kids to build their knowledge and vocabulary.

Now to the apps! 

Apps That Teach Letters and Letter Sounds

Little Writer - Tracing Letters, Numbers, Words and Shapes

Suggested ages: 3 to 6    

What it teaches: Language (Letter Writing), Math (Shapes, Number Writing)

Why we recommend it:  This app adds shapes and words to the usual letter and number practice. Tracing is supported in the app with enough leeway to not frustrate young children. Shapes include stars, diamonds (remind your child that a diamond is also called rhombus), half circles and smiley faces. Words are built a letter at a time but when finished your child’s own writing labels the picture. 

For: Universal (iPhone & iPad)

Get it here, Free.*

Montessori Letter Sounds HD 

Suggested ages:  3 to 6   

What it teaches: Language (Letters and Sounds, Phonics, Letter Writing)

Why we recommend it: Montessori Letter Sounds gives parents and children a progression of early literacy skills that fully integrate the philosophy of self correction. Four levels start children playing with sounds and increase in sophistication until they are building words. Writing, pictures and sounds are integrated into activities that our children testers loved, such as recording themselves saying new words, making name tags, tracing and smoothing out letters in the sand.

For: iPad

Get it here, $2.99.*

Apps that Make Reading Fun

Squiggles!

Suggested ages: 3 to 5     

What it teaches: Language (Storytelling), Art (Creativity)

Why we recommend it: This free app includes an eBook with all the best features of eBooks: highlighted words, meaningful interactivity, and an excellent story to tell. Record yourself reading the story and add to your child’s delight. Game play inspires creativity as you choose from 14 colorful pages to add “squiggles” to from a well-stocked art tray. Press play in the top corner to watch the whole picture animate in cute and surprising ways. Every child who tested this app loved it, including a 2 1/2-year-old.

For: iPad

Get it here, Free.*

iLearn With Boing: Ice Land Adventures! HD

Suggested ages: 4 to 7    

What it teaches: Language (Letters and Sounds, Listening, Phonics, Spelling)

Why we recommend it: i Learn With Boing: Ice Land Adventures! encourages a strong foundation for reading with delightful game play and meaningful phonics activities. Log on multiple children and watch as they progress through playing with letters, sounds and spelling. Game play is really fun as kids slingshot letters, drag and drop to spell words and help bears slide down icy mountains, picking up scoops of ice cream.

For: iPad

Get it here, $2.99.*

Apps that Make Phonics Easy and Interesting

The Electric Company Wordball!

Suggested ages: 7 and 8

What it teaches: Language (Phonics, Spelling)

Why we recommend it:  The Electric Company Wordball reinforces all those difficult phonics rules with interactive videos and engaging game play. First, choose from nine music videos that teach phonics rules like silent-e or transformer h. While watching the video tap on the wordballs as they appear on the screen. You then use all those wordballs to create words following the rule you just practiced in a fast paced, entertaining game. We love how this app gets kids' brains ready to practice phonics by using interactive videos that support their learning. 

For: iPhone

Get it here, Free.*

 
Simplex Spelling Phonics 2 Syllables - Spell To Read

Suggested ages:  5 to 8    

What it teaches: Language (Phonics, Spelling)

Why we recommend it:  With each of the Simplex Spelling apps, kids learn through supportive self-correction, short teaching moments, and applicable lessons that pair well with their educational experiences. This app goes beyond spelling practice to actually teach and connect a tremendous amount of educational content in small, manageable bites. The line of Simplex Spelling apps are favorites of KinderTown reviewers, parents, teachers and kids.

For: Universal (iPhone & iPad)

Get it here, $4.99.*

Spelling Apps That Kids Love

MiniWord

Age: 7 and 8    

What it teaches: Language (Spelling)

Why we recommend it: Mini Word is six levels of addictive, word-making fun in an easy to control app that will keep you on your toes. Individually lettered balls drop into the screen. Gravity is at play as the spheres shift and roll as you move the device. Tap on the letters to build words. Earn points and keep track of scores right in the app. Extra special feature: when you need a break from all the letter balls piling up, tap on the “i” to see the definition of the word you just made.

For: Universal (iPhone & iPad), & Android

Get it here, Free.*

 
Sight Words & Spelling with Pixopop

Age: 6 to 8    

What it teaches: Language (Sight Words, Reading, Spelling)

Why we recommend it:  Learn over 200 sight words thoughtfully broken up into 24 levels with three different activities. “Flashcard” shows and speaks each word with an option to turn on "quiz mode" and read words yourself. “Word Challenge” quizzes your child to find the word from a series of 4 choices and “Spelling” gives your child a spelling word to type out.  You can easily see your child’s progress in the app and create custom lists for his or her needs. 

For: iPad

Get it here, $2.99.*

Carolina Nugent is an experienced educator and the Director of Education for KinderTown, an educational app store that helps busy parents find the best apps for young kids. Sometimes referred to as the "Chief Curation Officer," she's evaluated more than 1,000 apps for kids. See more of her reviews in the FREE KinderTown App, available for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Image Source: Squiggles!

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

As adults, many of us live in a gadget-filled world. But how much of that is good for children under 6? In the Circle of Moms communities, moms weigh in on whether iPads and other tablet computers are good learning tools, or just another electronic babysitter. If you're not sure whether to introduce your child to the world of games and apps available on tablet computers and smart phones, read on. Here are the high points of both sides of the debate.

Moms Who Say Yes To Pre-K Tablets

1. Technology Is The Future

Moms like Kelly B vigorously embrace the new technology of tablet devices to help prepare kids for school and the rest of their lives. She lets her preschool children use both her iPod and iPad: "schools allow children to use technology from the day they start school... It's another great way of keeping the child interested in learning.......fun learning, and they don't think they are learning, but it's amazing what they learn and where they learn it from.......I say stop being so old school....technology is our future and it is especially our children's future!"

2. A Learning Method That Works

One of the reasons that tablet computers such as the iPad have become so popular as a learning device is that parents and teachers are getting results. Member Charlie P. considers the iPad an invaluable tool for education: "children love technology... if it gets them interested and it works then great..." Charlie goes on to say how she works with a 5-year-old who is autistic, and uses an iPad as part of his therapy. The apps have "worked wonders" for his development, so she asks: "why can we not use the same method for children as a simple and basic educational tool?"

3. A Great Supplement to Books

Circle of Moms member Jenn H. believes the tablet adds a lot to her daughter's learning without taking away the importance of more traditional tools. Her 5-year-old daughter loves the iPad — but also loves books: "We work to find a balance between technology and traditional learning tools."

4. Improvement in Fine Motor Skills And More

If you're wondering what preschool kids can actually learn from an iPad, Nikki P. shares that her 3- and 4-year-old kids are already gaining important skills using her iPad: "there is a Dora app that the school uses because it helps not only learn ABC's but fine motor skills."

A Circle of Moms member named Jersey also raves about the progress her 3-year-old has made using a tablet computer: "it's a great tool for her to be able to learn her letters... it also helps her to write her letters as well as her numbers...and she is learning new words with the applications that I have purchased for her... My daughter is even learning new languages on her iPad 2."

(For a list of apps that are great for preschoolers, see: 10 Educational Apps for Preschoolers.)

Moms Against Tablets For Preschoolers

1. Not Worth The Money

Not everyone wants to see an iPad in the hands of every child. There has been some controversy over schools spending money to purchase a tablet computer for each child as a necessity to start kindergarten. The issue of cost is valid at home too, especially for families who are already struggling. Moms like Karen B. have strongly oppose this kind of spending: "I think this is ridiculous.  Kids can learn just fine without 'toys' such as this and the money could be put to much better use."

Heather L. says the likelihood that preschoolers and/or kindergarteners will damage an iPad makes having their "own" not worth it: "How many of them will end up lost or broken? How many 5-year-olds lose their own... jackets? We really want to trust them with a gadget worth hundreds of dollars?" 

A mom named Ester echoes these concerns over the cost effectiveness of iPads for small children, which she considers "luxury items." Although she has very positive things to say about their educational value, specifically for preschoolers, she feels they are far from a necessity: "I think requiring parents to [shell] out $500 or more for an iPad for a small child who is likely to break it and [who] could learn everything the iPad can help them learn through other means, is ridiculous and I would be very opposed to it."                   

2. Posture And Vision Concerns

Staring at a computer screen, especially for hours at a time, affects your body no matter how old you are. A member named Vera feels that this kind of strain on a preschooler's eyes can be too much: "children watching a screen . . . over long periods of time causes the muscles in their eyes to become tired, even more so if they must wear glasses."

A member named MeMe brings up some very good points on both sides of the debate as to whether we should let our children become dependent on computers in general. As a mom who spends most of her day on the computer, she knows how bad it is for her physically: "It is also very tramautizing to your body." In addition to eye strain, she points out that prolonged use of a tablet with poor posture can cause problems with the back, the wrists and neck.

3. Kids Need The Basics

During the preschool years, some moms feel that the focus for learning should be on basic reading, writing, and math, in books and written by hand, with pencil and paper. They feel that we cannot afford to lose these basic skills in the next generation. As Shawnn L. says, technology does fail, and when it does, we need a foundation: "I'm not a doomsday scarebringer, but I have been in situations where the technology failed, not just for a few minutes, but days, and the tried and true pencil and paper had to come out of storage and be dusted off. And to be quite honest, I was appalled at the number of adults who could not do basic math, did not have at least minimally readable handwriting, and who were completely lost without having a computer to rely on." 

4. Electronic Addiction

Moms such as Kelina G. have concerns about the future for kids who get hooked on technology. She feels the importance of human interaction will be lost: "I think that the temptation to sit there and look at your technology all day rather than really learn from firsthand experience what the world around you is all about would be too strong. We'd be breeding Internet addicted kids. Technology addicted kids." 

Shawwn L. also feels that kids are getting "hooked" too soon: "There are plenty of 'real life' interactions that you can use to accomplish the same thing, without making your kid feel like being hooked to a (IMO, stupid) technological device! The sooner you 'indoctrinate' them into the world of cell phones, iPads, or whatever, they think they 'can't live without them', when, in fact, everyone can live without being 24/7 connected."

Image Source: nooccar via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Do you have a little one starting Pre-K or Kindergarten in just a few months? Are you looking for ways to help prepare him for this big transition to school?

There are many ways to give your child a "boost" before they head off on his first day of school. To give your child a head start on learning colors, try these 6 apps, which teach colors in fun and creative ways.

1. Baby Learns Colors

Ages: 3-5

Device: iPad

Why I recommend it: Baby Learns Colors is a fun, coloring learning app. 12 colors are learned while exploring the 3 different environments: an artist’s pallet, an underwater aquarium, and outer space. Learn or play by answering questions asked by the cutest little characters. Answer questions to earn prizes that can children play with in the apps interactive prize world. One notable feature give you, as the parent, the option to record your voice to create a personalized experience for each of your children. 

Available here, $2.99* or try the Lite version for Free

2. Tiny Diggers

Ages: 3-5

Device: iPad & iPhone

Why I recommend it: Tiny Diggers puts your child in the driver's seat to learn about colors, numbers and shapes. Our kid testers went crazy over this app! Drive each truck and answer questions by interacting with each trucks unique parts. Need some play time? Enter into the free play mode and test out your horn or CB radio. We really hope more vehicles and content is added because the theme of this app is highly motivating!

Available here, $1.99*

3. Scout's Shapes & Colors Farm

Ages: 3-5

Device: iPhone

Why I recommend it: Scout’s Shapes and Color Farm is a must have early learning app. The developers at LeapFrog understand learning and instruction which comes across clearly in this educational app. Children learn colors by tapping and exploring a barnyard. Shapes are described, traced and modeled successfully in the farm’s vegetable patch. Children also identify shapes in the puzzle-like game of fixing farm equipment. There is plenty of room for play in each of the games and there is also a doggy dress-up area where children can use all the prizes they earn by completing activities. Features include log-ins for multiple children, simple taps to skip repeated directions, and multiple levels of difficulty that increase the amount and challenge of the educational content.

Available here, $0.99*

4. Color Collector

Ages: 3-5

Device: iPhone

Why I recommend it: Color Collector encourages your child to search for colors. Take pictures by tapping a large circle in the middle of your device to learn the color of what you just found. After finding three colors, get a little surprise. This app encourages discovery and investigation while reinforcing basic skills. Parents love that the pictures are not automatically saved on in iPhotos. One more highly motivating, early learning app from Tickle Tap apps.  

Available here, $1.99*

5. Mini Catch

Ages: 5-6

Device: Universal

Why I recommend it: Mini Catch has children playfully recognizing colors, shapes, and numbers. Tilt, turn and twist your device to move a truck around the screen catching gems. Game play gets harder as children need to catch gems of specific shapes or that have the right number. Beware there are plenty of gems that do not belong and even the occasional gem bomb. Mini Catch has two locked levels that can be purchased with in-app purchases.

Available here, Free*

6. Frogs and Fireflies - Color Mixing Game

Ages: 4-8

Device: iPhone

Why I recommend it: Frogs and Fireflies is a delightful app that has your child mixing colors in increasingly complex ways. Colorful frogs sit on lily pads and fireflies of varying colors fly around the sky. Drag fireflies together to match the colors of each frog. Start with combining two primary colors and move on to mixing three or four colors to match a specific shade. This app does a great job of teaching new users how to play and is very supportive, allowing for trial and error. You'll enjoy adding this to your app collection and using it alongside your child.

Available here, $1.99*

*Prices current as of publishing

Carolina Nugent is an experienced educator and the Director of Education for KinderTown, an educational app store that helps busy parents find the best apps for young kids. Sometimes referred to as the "Chief Curation Officer," she's evaluated more than 1,000 apps for kids. See more of her reviews in the FREE KinderTown App, available for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Image Source: Pink Sherbet Photography via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Kids today have access to some amazing toys, especially when you consider everything that's available to them through mobile devices like the iPad and iPhone. But the toys of our childhood were equally enchanting. Many of us have memories of making music out of stuff found around the house, playing hair salon and dress up with our friends, and reading Highlights magazine while in the dentist's waiting room.

Many of these games and concepts are as popular as ever and have been turned into apps so they can be accessed anytime and anywhere.

Below are six apps that you would have played as a kid. Not only are they fun and engaging; they're also uniquely educational.

1. Dr. Seuss Band 

Ages: 5 and up

For: Universal

Why your kids will love it: As a trained musician and someone who loves anything that plays like “guitar hero”, how could I not share an app that can spark a music-lover in your home? Create wacky instruments, beat high scores to unlock more songs, and win crazy sound effects. You’ll see there is way more than just game play in this app when you start building your own “Seussical” instruments. There's loads of play value in this app, and you'll find that it's addictive for all ages.

Available here, free.

2. A Little Book About Feelings

Ages: 3-6

For: iPhone & iPad

Why your kids will love it: Whether it is losing a pet, grandparent or getting angry over having to share, kids have a lot of feelings they need to process. This app is a thoughtful, interactive story to share with your child about all the feelings they have and how to express them. Created by the The Mother Company’s Ruby’s Studio, I love that it provides parents with one place to get books, stuffed animals, apps and advice to help their kids learn about emotions.

Available here, $.99.

3. Toca Hair Salon

Ages: All Ages

For: Universal

Why your kids will love it: Do you have fond memories from childhood of hours spent playing with your friends' hair? This app is an inspired re-creation of those favorite playtimes. As a variety of people and animals sit in the barber chair, the tips of your fingers take control over the styling, with tools like razors, hairspray, and dye. The best part is there's no mess or emergency runs to fix your child’s hair!

Available here, $1.99.

4. KidsMag

Ages: 3-6

For: iPad

Why your kids will love it: Highlights is a magazine you probably had at school, at home or picked up while waiting in the doctor’s office when you were a kid. KidsMag will be what your own children remember when they are reminiscing over their favorite childhood “magazines.” Currently, there are 3 full KidsMag apps and 3 holiday themed versions. These apps integrate vocabulary lessons with meaningful math, science and language activities in a learning environment that kids thrive in.

Available here, $2.99.

5. Faces iMake

Ages: All Ages

For: iPhone & iPad

Why your kids will love it: I remember bringing home a paper bag in second grade and telling my parents that I needed to fill it with stuff from the “junk drawer” and bring it back to school. My teacher told us the next day that we had to take all that “junk” and create anything we wanted with all of it. Faces iMake is an app that encourages exactly that kind of inventive creativity in your child. Watch your child make faces from numerous objects like mops, broccoli, and screwdrivers.

Available here, $1.99.

6. MathGirl Number Garden

Ages: 4 - 8

For: iPhone

Why your kids will love it: We hear all too often that girls are not as interested in math or science as boys. Recent studies have also shown that parents discuss math concepts with their sons more than twice as often as they do with their daughters. It's easy to reverse that trend and spark an early love of math with a math practice app designed specifically for girls, and that's packed with themes  they love like flowers, butterflies, bunnies and lots of pink.

Available here, $1.99.

Carolina Nugent is an experienced educator and the Director of Education for KinderTown, an educational app store that helps busy parents find the best apps for young kids. Sometimes referred to as the "Chief Curation Officer," she's evaluated more than 1,000 apps for kids. See more of her reviews in the FREE KinderTown App, available for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Image Source: Jenny Downing via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.

Does your child use your iPhone on a daily basis? Are you constantly being asked, Mom, can I download a new app?

Apps are now a part of many kids' daily routines and a part of how they play. So why not mix a little learning into that playtime? Here are a few of my favorite early learning iPhone and iPad apps to add to your child’s digital toy box!

1. PLAY123: Fun and interactive learning activities for kids!  

Ages: 3-6   

For: iPhone & iPad

Why I Recommend It: This free app does an amazing job of encouraging creativity, imagination and exploration while modeling colors, shapes, numbers and even physics for children. The app is also easy to use with a vast amount of unstructured play, which is perfectly suited for young kids.      

Teaches: Math (Counting, Shapes, Logic Games), Art (Colors), Science (Investigation)

Available here, Free*

2. Splish Splash Inn 

Ages: 3-4     

For: iPhone & iPad 

Why I Recommend It: A delightful app for children to experience numbers and quantities 1 through 10. Lots of little details that you don’t want to miss include sending the sea creatures floating across the screen as children tilt and turn their device, making up silly songs, and the overall environment which uses color and music to enhance the learning experience. A great way for your child to learn their numbers and practice counting to 10.  

Teaches: Math (Counting, Number Recognition)

Available here, $.99*

3. Peek-a-Zoo - by Duck Duck Moose 

Ages: 3-5     

For: iPhone & iPad  

Why I Recommend It: Help your children to identify physical and social cues in this cute and entertaining game. The app looks like an animal learning game but is so much more! Your child will meet a variety of cartoon-style animals and be challenged to find the one who is having a birthday, who is crying, who is trying to hide, or who is wagging her tail.

Teaches: Language (Listening), Social Studies (Social Skills)

Available here, $.99*

4. Write My Name by Injini 

Ages: 3-6     

For: iPad 

Why I Recommend It: Fantastic for families with multiple children, your 3-year-old can practice writing their name (and if they share well) your 6-year-old can work on some of the 100 sight words. Kids love having their own name tags with personalized pictures. Handwriting can often be boring, but this app gives your kids extra motivation to practice letter writing.

Teaches: Language (Vocabulary, Letter Writing, Sight Words, Letter and Sound Recognition)

Available here, $1.99*

5. Awesome Eats 

Ages: 5 to adult     

For: Universal 

Why I Recommend It: Who knew sorting fruits and vegetables could be so interactive or exciting? Reinforcing healthy eating is a benefit of this game but the sorting experience is really the star here. There are plenty of levels and I hope you find yourself using this app along with your child.

Teaches: Math (Sorting)

Available here, Free*

6. Wee Sing & Learn ABC  

Ages: 3 - 6     

For: Universal 

Why I Recommend It: You might recognize the Wee Sing ABC books from when you were a kid. Strong letter knowledge is important for early reading and in this one app your child will be learning his ABCs along with musical instruments and animals. Children can control the pace, interact with the instruments or just sit back and listen to each short silly ABC song.

Teaches: Language (Letter and Sound Recognition), Art (Music)

Available here, $2.99*

7. Reading Raven For iPad  

Ages: 4 - 7     

For: iPad 

Why I Recommend It: I can not say enough WONDERFUL things about this app. The price is great when you are getting a self-paced, phonics-based reading instructional app for your beginning reader. An in-depth parent guide and a lot of in-app customization adds to the value. Videos and more information about this app are available at readingraven.com.

Teaches: Language (Letter and Sound Recognition, Phonics, Reading, Spelling, Letter Writing)

Available here, $3.99*

8. Motion Math: Hungry Fish 

Ages: 5 and up     

For: Universal 

Why I Recommend It: One of the best math experiences for your child to start playing with building numbers. Addition is provided in this free version with options to buy additional levels of subtraction and negatives. Another app where multiple children can save their progress.

Teaches: Math (Addition and Subtraction)

Available here, Free*

*Prices current as of publishing

Carolina Nugent is an experienced educator and the Director of Education for KinderTown, an educational app store that helps busy parents find the best apps for young kids. Sometimes referred to as the "Chief Curation Officer," she's evaluated more than 1,000 apps for kids. See more of her reviews in the FREE KinderTown App, available for the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch.

Image Source: flickingerbrad via Flickr/Creative Commons

The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, POPSUGAR.