Getting an iPad has really changed my life. Maybe that sounds dramatic, maybe it IS dramatic, but it’s also true. iPad apps have brought another healthy dimension of play into my life, a new way to share playtime with my kids. So far I’ve reviewed several therapy apps, and several play apps. Toca Boca’s apps fit wonderfully into both categories. They are designed for play but can easily be applied to meet therapy goals and objectives and kids of all abilities will LOVE them. You can check out my previous review of Toca Boca apps here, and now here are a few more to LOVE. All of these are very reasonably priced and worth every penny!
1) Toca Tea Party: A whole new spin on playing tea party! Get your guests (your favorite teddy bear, doll, or action figure!) and postion them next to the iPad. Then choose your tablecloth, place setting, drinks, and even background music. Your guests will let you know when they need a refill on food or drink, or a napkin to clean up! Each party is fast-paced, and your guests will keep you hopping! This is the most wonderful example of pretend play. It gives the child the ability to use his or her imagination as well as follow multi-step directions and practice social skills. As a parent I adore it and so does Sophie.
2) Toca Kitchen: this is the latest and greatest from Toca Boca, and it rocks! Choose a character to cook for, open up the fridge and choose a food, then what manner you’ll cook it in. Will your child grill it, boil it, microwave it, blend it, slice it, or serve it raw? And will their character like it or give it a “BLECCH!”? This app is so much fun! There are so many opportunities to teach categorization, vocabulary, following multi-step directions, and of course it’s great for pretending and using imagination. And it’s fun fun fun. I must say I enjoy cookin’ up a little something in the Toca Kitchen myself! Here’s a short video of Joshua and Sophie playing Toca Kitchen:
3) Paint my Wings: This is a super-fun art app. It allows the user to paint butterfly wings -anything goes – but the paint goes on both wings symmetrically just like a real butterfly! At the end you can take a picture of your fabulous creation. Again this is a great app for teach multi-step directions as well as colors! You can make some really cool wings!
I can’t tell you enough how GREAT these apps are! For any kid!! Most of them are about $2.99 and well worth it. Go to iTunes or the App store and get your Toca Boca on!
