I have tried a number of different methods to find some games that a K aged child can play regularly, however sifting through each and every game is painfully time consuming. So I thought I’d ask for some advice from folks that have found some gems out there.
Here are my basic requirements:
No in-app purchases. When I buy a game (or if it’s free), that is it. No other charges ever. Pay up front, play as long as you want.
No in-app advertisements. I know this will eliminate almost all free games, but that is ok. If a free game has ads that show up at the bottom of a screen and do not interrupt game playing, fine. But if the ads pop-up on the screen and/or require the user to find a small “x” to close the ad, forget this.
no in-app “watch this ad” for “whatever you need to keep playing” crap.
age range - As long as it is educational at some level, I don’t mind if the game is for pre-school children or up to maybe an 8 year old.
NO SHOOTING, PUNCHING Or otherwise harming other people games.
That’s basically it.
The app should be a pleasant experience, not a nightmare of ads and pay-as-you-go nonsense. I especially hate something like Candy Crush, which makes the player wait a few minutes once their lives have been exhausted (unless you cough up real money, of course).
One example I have found that I like is the “Endless Reader” app, which permits me to pay for a pack of words and the child can play without stopping to clear an ad. Any time I want to download a new word pack, I do so.
As you’ve found out, there isn’t any decent way to search the App Store for the specifics you’re looking for. I don’t know any kids apps in particular, but just in case you haven’t tried this method, go to an app’s page in the App Store that you do like, like Endless Reader, and tap the “Related” button. That will bring up a list of other apps by the developer and the “Customers Also Bought” list of apps. Between those 2 lists, you might be able to find some good leads. You’ll still be “sifting,” but it’s a decent start (if you haven’t already done it).
Come to think of it, the Free App of the Week last week was a game called Mimpi Dreams. You’re a little dog who has to collect bones and whatever while exploring and solve pretty basic puzzles. It’s not going to have a lot of replay value (an adult could probably go through all the stages in about an hour). There’s nothing educational about it except solving the puzzles. The level of “harm” is minimal. But it was fun to play five minutes at a time while waiting in lines. I imagine (hope) a kindergartener would get more out of it.
Just as an example of my advice above, most of the apps in “Customers Also Bought” list for Mimpi Dreams have excellent customer ratings and only a few offer in app-purchases.
Check around the website and see what your kids might enjoy. Some games skew a little younger and others (Toca Blocks, Toca Nature) introduce concepts that take a little more thinking. Others (Toca School, City, Town, etc) are just sandbox environments sort of like big sticker books with lots of Easter Eggs. They’re not necessarily “educational” in the same way as the Endless apps though they promote experimentation and discovery. All are non-violent. I see the website has a couple “free” versions of apps and I don’t know if they’re pay-walled or ad-supported – I’ve always just bought the paid versions which are “one and done”.
Another app family I really liked, but unfortunately your kids have probably aged out of, was the Sago Mini apps. Again, mainly cute, non-violent exploration or simple problem solving but really aged more for toddlers to preschool levels. I’d assume older kids would find them amusing for a short time but run out of things to do in them before long. Still, for the benefit of any other thread readers I wanted to give them a plug.