We’re going on vacation next week and I’m trying to decide how best to slog through an eight hour plane ride with a high energy two year old. Solution: Apps. Wonderful, glorious apps for the iPad.
But what Apps to download? There are seven billion to choose from. And I have a thing against spending more than a few bucks for any of them because, well, I’m cheap.
Apps for toddlers are tricky. June is still new to the iPad so she still doesn’t quite grasp the swipe concept — she either touches the screen too long and too hard or not hard enough. I’m looking for games and programs that will entertain and stimulate her but not be so complicated that Jake and I end up absorbed by their general awesomeness while she stares out the window longing for a lousy bag of nuts aboard the tin can to nowhere. (Can you tell how much I love commercial air travel?)
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here are a couple of my suggestions:
The monster at the end of this book – both 1&2. They’re very interactive books, but very easy interaction.
iWrite Words – number and letter tracing… never too early to start
Peekaboo Barn (and Peekaboo Wild and Peekaboo Forest)
Tozzle – a puzzle app that might help her learn some of the navigation techniques.
Cookie Doodle
Will definitely check these out, Rachel. You can never have too many apps for travel.
Centuries ago I took my very young son on a long flight with a hand held game, way before Ipad. It was a game that made noises that I had become immune to. We were on the plane, he was entertained and I fell asleep. I was awaken by the flight attendant asking that it be turned off. The little musical noises were disturbing people around us. My first thought was that without the little noise maker my big noise maker would have really driven them crazy! So my advise is to be sure about the level of noises coming from the apps. It will not entertain her long if they make you turn it off. Also remember that lately they have been literally throwing people off planes. Driving starts to look better and better inspite of gas gouging.
PS June begins to look much older. This picture she looks like a full fledged kid. Believe me, in two more years she’ll be 12. They grow so fast.
Gotcha!
If you are on a 8 hour plane ride, you are probably taking a large plane, which therefore will probably have a seatback video set. Just remember to bring a set or earbuds for June. Better yet, they will probably fall out of her little ears, as they still do for my 8 year old son, so maybe an old-fashioned pair of Walkman ear phones would be better. And don’t forget some earbuds for the parents too. Have a great vacation!
Thanks for the suggestions, Janelle!
That June Bug is just gorgeous these days!
Thank you, Sarah. She does look like a big girl in that picture, doesn’t she?
please don’t forget non-electronic entertainment for take off and landing.
Yes. I would take something simple like those small action characters or a matchbox car. Something he had never seen before and that I could pull out of my purse when needed. The novely of not having seen it before works wonders.
Don’t you love the novelty of that new spelling of the word. HA
I would also think to bring a few lollipops.. they will help her ears “pop” on take off’s and landings… and maybe help as a little bribe for good behavior:)
Great idea! Will do.
I’m on the tail end of 6 weeks in spain alone with a 3 year old, ostensibly doing research but actually visiting every playground ever built here. Look up apps by Toca Boca–they’ve been a life saver for me, on the plane and when i need a few moments of my own. And they can all be played with the sound off (although I heartily second the suggestion to bring old-fashioned headphones). Her favorites: Toca Train, Toca Kitchen, Toca birthday party. She’s a bit older than June, but I bet a 2 year old could still have fun with them. They’re very cute!
Hi , this is nice app. I would really like to download it for my kids.