Let’s be honest. Air travel with a toddler can be a daunting task, even for the most seasoned parents. Luckily, you have technology on your side. There are a variety of great iPad apps that will keep your wee ones entertained while they’re in the air. What’s even better is that these apps also help them hone key skills. (And they’re still entertaining with the volume off or plug in some headphones and let your little one have the full sensory experience). Go ahead, hand over the iPad, sit back, open up that complimentary bag of peanuts and enjoy a moment of relaxation. DoodlePad This free app can provide hours of entertainment to budding artists. It has a variety of background options, like colors and patterns, brush and pencil textures, paint colors, a font option, and even a “stamper” set with sound effects. (iTunes, Free). AlphaBaby This is a great app for young children who are just discovering letters, numbers and shapes. When they touch the screen, a letter, number or shape appears on the screen. They hear a voice say the name of the letter, number or shape when they touch. A fun and simple app for your budding scholar. (iTunes, $0.99) Bubbles This app provides all the fun of soap bubbles without the mess! The Bubbles app helps young bubble-poppers hone their hand eye coordination while popping virtual bubbles as they float across the screen. The fun is addictive, even for adults! (iTunes, $0.99) Fish School This is an app that can grow with your toddler as he or she continues to master the basics of numbers, letters, colors and shapes. A particularly cool feature is the memory matching game. (iTunes, $0.99) Pat the Bunny This app is a bit pricier than the others I’ve shared here, but in my opinion, is well worth it. An app/e-book hybrid that will grow with your toddler and help him or her develop reading and fine motor skills, with activities like velcro fastening, finger painting, etc. Pat the Bunny is based off of the popular 1940’s children’s book of the same title. (iTunes, $4.99)
Photo: Sean MacEntee
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