Where the heck are the good games for kids?

[Mathieu]

I'm trying to come up with a list of the best games available on iOS (for a website I'm working on, a little side project from game development...).
I have great difficulties finding the best games for kids, it's a nightmare.

This category is pretty important for me, I have a little kid myself and I already made an iOS game aimed for young children. Back when I worked on this game I was stunned by the large number of apps for kids that were:

• awfully designed
• using IAP
• displaying ads
• linking to social networks
• using again and again the same clipart's images

... or that were just plain wrong for children (a few months ago I counted more than 50 games in the App Store's Top100 "Kids" category that were food-related, maybe that's just me but I don't find this health at all).

tl;dr What apps/games do you consider the very best apps for kids on iOS?


Edit:
I'll list here some of the suggestions made in this thread:

• Toca Doctor/Toca House
• Sprinkle Junior
• Bobo Explores Light
• Coop Phonics
• Playtales
• Firebusters
• Endless Alphabet
• LetterSchool

[september]

Yeah the number of IAP riddled children's licenses are appalling, you raise a good point with the social media and ads too. I don't think I've seen anything that fits the bill though sorry, some of the interactive children's books with mini games may be worthwhile pursuing.

[Lost_Deputy]

How old? My kids play angry birds, cut the rope, tiny wings, fruit ninja etc. with their cousins all the time. Kid range from 3-7. How many you want?!

[syntheticvoid]

Right now - I put quite a few Toca games ( http://tocaboca.com/ )on all of my little nephews and nieces iDevices... alongside that I usually put Fruit Ninja, a couple of those Dash (Diner Dash, Hotel Dash) games and Jelly Roll. After that - I just give em anything they want (within reason... but they don't really ask for stuff like NY Zombies or anything). But they usually want the typical top 10 - Angry Birds, Temple Run, Cut The Rope, ect... I just put Wreck It Ralph, Where's My Water and Sprinkle Junior on em last week.

But you might want to PM strivemind - http://forums.toucharcade.com/member.php?u=55959 - I know he has a little one and is always on the lookout for apps/games good for the younger audience. =o)

[Jacob007]

You could always go to Top Charts, Catergories, Games, then Kids. You've got the Top Free, Paid, and Grossing Kids games on the App Store, but I'd stay away from the top grossing one, they're probably riddled with IAP.

[Mathieu]

Originally Posted by september

Some of the interactive children's books with mini games may be worthwhile pursuing.

That's a good idea. Even children books without games can be interesting. I have yet to try Chocolapps books for example.

How old? My kids play angry birds, cut the rope, tiny wings, fruit ninja etc. with their cousins all the time. Kid range from 3-7. How many you want?!

I'm aiming at apps/games for 2-8 years old. Sure they can play Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, Diner Dash... but I'm really looking for more "intelligent" games.
Don't get me wrong, some are well made and entertaining but I'm really sure there are better games for kids.
This is the type of games/apps I'm looking for: http://touch.gg/+-for-the-kids-+

Right now - I put quite a few Toca games ( http://tocaboca.com/ )on all of my little nephews and nieces iDevices... alongside that I usually put Fruit Ninja, a couple of those Dash (Diner Dash, Hotel Dash) games and Jelly Roll. After that - I just give em anything they want (within reason... but they don't really ask for stuff like NY Zombies or anything). But they usually want the typical top 10 - Angry Birds, Temple Run, Cut The Rope, ect... I just put Wreck It Ralph, Where's My Water and Sprinkle Junior on em last week.

Yes I really need to take some time to check the Toca games, do you have one to recommend especially?
Sprinkle Junior seems really great and exactly what I'm looking for, thanks!

You could always go to Top Charts, Catergories, Games, then Kids. You've got the Top Free, Paid, and Grossing Kids games on the App Store, but I'd stay away from the top grossing one, they're probably riddled with IAP.

I would like to stay away from the Top Charts because I 'll get games that are heavily downloaded, not good games necessarily.

[syntheticvoid]

Well, personally, with the Toca games, I'd recommend Toca Doctor. But I see my youngest niece playing Toca House quite a bit too. =o)

Glad I could help out.... if even just a little.

[Lost_Deputy]

Originally Posted by Mathieu

That's a good idea. Even children books without games can be interesting. I have yet to try Chocolapps books for example.


I'm aiming at apps/games for 2-8 years old. Sure they can play Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja, Diner Dash... but I'm really looking for more "intelligent" games.
Don't get me wrong, some are well made and entertaining but I'm really sure there are better games for kids.
This is the type of games/apps I'm looking for: http://touch.gg/+-for-the-kids-+


Yes I really need to take some time to check the Toca games, do you have one to recommend especially?
Sprinkle Junior seems really great and exactly what I'm looking for, thanks!


I would like to stay away from the Top Charts because I 'll get games that are heavily downloaded, not good games necessarily.

2-8 is extremely broad as every age has different learning goals. Things like Giggletouch and Fruit Ninja may seem unintelligent but they are great for recognition and encourage dexterity. The hidden object games you listed are good as are match 3 puzzles and words with friends type games. Any puzzle game, weather it's physics based or otherwise, are fantastic for kids as they engage logic and reasoning.
If your after games that are marketed to kids then there ain't much. If your after games that will enhance a kids motor skills, vocabulary, reading, spelling, recognition etc then the App Store is brimming with stuff.

[Wizard_Mike]

I've tried a lot of different apps for my daughter over the past few years (she's six now) and the biggest hits with her have been:

Bugs & Buttons
Bugs & Bubbles
Bobo Explores Light
Coop Phonics
everything by Toca Boca
The Stella and Sam collection
Playtales has a pretty good selection of interactive books
Kung Fu Panda Cookbook (my daughter loves watching videos about cooking)

[Peewhy]

I really like this thread! I have problems looking for games for my kid too