Best iPhone Apps for Kids

1. .Step

   1
   
   Isteam iPhone App: For the meterologist

   Clear foggy windows.
   
   iSteam mimics the steam on a foggy car window or bathroom mirror. Avoid the messages on your car window and let your child finger write on your phone. Turn the phone upside down and droplets fall across the screen. After all the finger play, gently blow on the mic to start over.

2. Step2
   
   MiniPiano iPhone App: For the musician

   Play the scales.
   
   Train your child into a virtuoso with this free app. The Minipiano plays only one octave. Play multiple keys to create a ditty. Unfortunately, it doesn't save the file. Savvy parents will know to turn on their record button to save their child's opus.

3. Step3
   
   Bookworm iPhone App: For the book nerd

   Teach word building.
   
   In a Scrabble-like interface, Bookworm encourages word formation. The goal is to make as many three- to four-letter words as possible. Once a word is created, the letters disappear. The words are grouped into academic areas like world history and science. This app is great to build word fluency and literacy skills.

4. Step4
   
   Scribble iPhone App: For the artist

   Draw iconic images.
   
   Your child may be the next Rembrandt or Bearden if you expose them to Scribble. It's a reasonably priced doodling pad without the mess. It includes a simple color pallet for variety. Don't worry about crayon stains on your car's upholstery, offer your child this app instead.

5. Step5
   
   FaceMelter iPhone App: For the photographer

   Remix photographs.
   
   Face Melter is a goofy gadget that turns faces into cartoon pictures. Stretch, smush or liquefy a face into an exaggerated image. Just remember to add photos to your phone. Include pictures of animals and landscapes for variety.

6. Step6
   
   Brain Tooth iPhone App: For the mathematician

   Exercise your brain.
   
   Brain Toot is more of a memory tool than a game. There are fill-in-the-blanks, mathematical equations and puzzles. It's an app version of "Are you Smarter Than a 5th Grader". This works for the almost tween child who is bored by the easier games.

7. Step7
   
   Bejeweled 2 iPhone App: For the analyst

   Use order and logic.
   
   Warning! This app is highly addictive for both children and adults. If you were prone to hours moving up levels in Tetris, then you'll love this game, and if your child enjoys block building and assortment, this game is for them. Simply line jewels of the same color or shape, they disappear and more jewels appear. Just as you empty the screen, more jewels appear. It's a never-ending quest for completion.

8. Step8
   
   Voice Toddler Cards iPhone App: For the talker

   Listen and name.
   
   An ideal game for toddlers, these images do jus what they say. Each picture displays the name of an object. The app also speaks the name of the object. A child begins to associate the picture, and sound with the written name. This is great app for visual learners.

9. Step9
   
   The Best of iSpy iPhone App: For the detective

   Find the hidden object.
   
   iSpy is an easy version of Where's Waldo? The child looks for select images in the picture. They highlight the hidden items and advance to the next level. While not quite a mystery app, it's a great way to teach object recognition.

10. Step10
    
    Grover's Number Special iPhone App

    Learn to sequence numbers.
    
    With a 40-year legacy of edutainment, Sesame Street is a cherished brand. Elmo and Big Bird have apps on their way. For now, lesser-known Grover stars in his first app. Grover throws pots in the air. Your child shifts the screen to catch them. Then Grover counts the numbers aloud. Though I miss the Count, it's great to see Grover teach sequence. It's a great app for toddlers.

11. Step11

    Use apps in moderation.
    
    Once your child uses the apps, it's easy to purchase more. They're just a few dollars each. Still, think of each app as a physical video game. Would you want your child to have dozens of video games scattered about the house? While apps are intangible, they still cost money and take up space on your phone's smart card.
    
    Just like there are limits on physical video games, there should be limits on apps. To prevent attachment, reserve "phone-play" to extended travels only.