Ansel & Clair: Triassic Dinosaurs - A Fingerprint Network App

by http://www.fingerprintplay.com

Price: 4.99$

iPad

Overall Score: 95/100

version reviewed: 1.1

reviewed: 28/03/2013

Best for: Education, Interaction, Language, Understanding of the world

What it is: an interactive app introducing kids to the dinosaurs of the Triassic period. Dinosaur facts (9 Triassic dinosaurs), 'excavation' activity (2 fossils), fossil jigsaw puzzles, fern lifecycle puzzle, 'make your own dinosaur' puzzle + numerous options and features.

What you do with it: the feature set of the app is very extensive, please refer to our video presentation (below).

What we liked: the concept and execution. Variety of activities. Excellent set of features. Many details and extras. Good educational value. Ease of use (spoken instructions, tutorial, visual guides etc). Multiple player accounts. Overall quality of the app.

What we didn't like: some sort of reference/index page would make the navigation faster.

Appysmarts

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iPhone

iPad

iLuv Drawing Dinosaurs HD - Learn how to draw dinosaurs step by step

by MyVijan LLC

Price: 2.99$

May contain `more apps` links

iPad

Overall Score: 94/100

version reviewed: 1.8

reviewed: 25/12/2012

Best for: Crafts, Attention & concentration, Creativity, Eye-hand coordination, Music & art

What it is: an app teaching how to draw dinosaurs (19 pictures + 2 blank sheets).

What you do with it: choose the sheet, listen to the audio instructions and try to copy the lines step by step. After the drawing is complete it can be given individual finish (like coloring) and saved to the gallery.

What we liked: very interesting concept, very precise visual and audio instructions, nice range of sheets, useful range of tools provided (the undo function), fun factor.

What we didn't like: more fun than educational value (the app does not teach techniques nor drawing concepts). The navigation could be less complicated and the tools menu could be easier to use.

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iPad

Ansel & Clair: Jurassic Dinosaurs - A Fingerprint Network App

by http://www.fingerprintplay.com

Price: 4.99$

iPad

Overall Score: 94/100

version reviewed: 1.0

reviewed: 08/05/2013

Best for: Education, Interaction, Language, Understanding of the world

What it is: an interactive app introducing kids to the dinosaurs of the Jurassic period. Dinosaur facts (7 Jurassic dinosaurs: Allosaurus, Apatosaurus, Archaeopteryx, Hybodus, Brachiosaurus, Stegosaurus), an 'excavation' activity (2 fossils), 'make your own dinosaur' puzzle + numerous options and features.

What you do with it: the feature set of the app is very extensive, please refer to our video presentation (below).

What we liked: the concept. Variety of activities. Excellent set of features. Many details and extras. Good educational value. Ease of use (spoken instructions, tutorial, visual guides etc). Multiple player accounts. Overall quality of the app.

What we didn't like: some sort of reference/index page would make the navigation faster.

Appysmarts

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iPhone

iPad

Dinosaur Park Math - Android Version

by mm-media

Price: free

May contain `more apps` links

Android

Overall Score: 94/100

version reviewed: 1.3

reviewed: 08/12/2012

Best for: Education, Attention & concentration, Early math, Eye-hand coordination, Interaction, Memory, Thinking & problem solving, Understanding of the world

What it is: Math practice (addition and subtraction from 0 to 20) with the 'dinosaurs' theme, dinosaur fact files plus 5 additional dinosaur-themed activities (puzzles, memory game, matching game, connect the dots and create a scene activities).

What you do with it: select a 'fossil' then answer simple addition or subtraction questions correctly to turn it into the Dino Park exhibit.

What we liked: the concept (math challenges combined with fun activities), number and variety of additional dino-themed activities, voice instructions.

What we didn't like: the 'math' part is rather simple and could have more educational value (just simple 4+4=? questions, there is no option to adjust difficulty settings etc). The navigation could be more contextual (the 'dino facts' are a separate option in the menu, while they should be accessible by touching the exhibits in the park etc.). The additional activities may not be challenging enough for kids who are able to answer the '19-7' question.

Bottom line: fun (especially for dinosaur lovers) but could have much more educational value.

Appysmarts

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Android

Dinosaur Park Math

by mm-media

Price: 0.99$

May contain `more apps` links

iPhone

Overall Score: 94/100

version reviewed: 1.3

reviewed: 08/11/2012

Best for: Education, Attention & concentration, Early math, Eye-hand coordination, Interaction, Memory, Thinking & problem solving, Understanding of the world

What it is: Math practice (addition and subtraction from 0 to 20) with the 'dinosaurs' theme, dinosaur fact files plus 5 additional dinosaur-themed activities (puzzles, memory game, matching game, connect the dots and create a scene activities).

What you do with it: select a 'fossil' then answer simple addition or subtraction questions correctly to turn it into the Dino Park exhibit.

What we liked: the concept (math challenges combined with fun activities), number and variety of additional dino-themed activities, voice instructions.

What we didn't like: the 'math' part is rather simple and could have more educational value (just simple 4+4=? questions, there is no option to adjust difficulty settings etc). The navigation could be more contextual (the 'dino facts' are a separate option in the menu, while they should be accessible by touching the exhibits in the park etc.). The additional activities may not be challenging enough for kids who are able to answer the '19-7' question.

Bottom line: fun (especially for dinosaur lovers) but could have much more educational value.

Appysmarts

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iPhone

iPad

Inside the World of Dinosaurs - narrated by Stephen Fry

by M5859 Studios Pty Ltd

Price: free

iPad

Overall Score: 92/100

version reviewed: 1.0.3

reviewed: 05/03/2012

Best for: Education, Attention & concentration, Eye-hand coordination, Interaction, Language, Personal & social, Understanding of the world

What it is: interactive dinosaur encyclopedia with 60 dinosaurs.

What you do with it: choose a dinosaur (by name or by picture or from the timeline). Listen to the narration (description and facts), see the animation of the dinosaur in motion, play with the 3D model by spinning it with your finger. Read (or listen to) the articles about dinosaurs and dinosaur hunters.

What we liked: the concept, excellent quality of the illustrations, high quality educational content, good educational value. The animations showing the dinosaurs in motion and dinosaur sounds. Excellent narration by Stephen Fry.

What we didn't like: the navigation could be simpler (especially the usage of the narration option is a bit awkward). No zoom option to view the details of the 3D models. The descriptions may be too long and too complex for children (why not include a simpler, 'kid friendly' descriptions for ages 5-8)? The pages, especially in the Articles section don't include too many interactive elements. We wish the app offered more interaction for this price (e.g. an option to touch the parts of the 3D model for displaying the details etc.).

Please note that this app is large (almost 900 MB) and requires some time to download and install.

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iPad

Velociraptor: Small and Speedy

by Oceanhouse Media

Price: 2.99$

iPhone + iPad

Overall Score: 92/100

version reviewed: 2.5

reviewed: 16/03/2014

Best for: Interactive books, Attention & concentration, Early literacy, Understanding of the world

What it is/what you do with it:an interactive book from the Smithsonian Prehistoric series. About 13 scenes/pages. 3 reading modes: listen to the narration and follow the text, read the book yourself (or have the story read to you by a parent) and autoplay. Touch the objects on pages and their name will be displayed and read out.

What we liked: good educational value. Quality illustrations. Excellent reading options (words are highlighted when read, you can touch a word to have it read out, tap twice to repeat a paragraph, picture-word associations). Professional narration. Sounds and sound backgrounds.

What we didn't like: the pages are very static. There are no interactive elements (apart from the word read-out features)

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iPhone

iPad

Pteranodon Soars

by Oceanhouse Media

Price: 2.99$

iPhone + iPad

Overall Score: 92/100

version reviewed: 2.5

reviewed: 31/03/2014

Best for: Interactive books, Attention & concentration, Early literacy, Understanding of the world

What it is/what you do with it:an interactive book from the Smithsonian Prehistoric series. About 13 scenes/pages. 3 reading modes: listen to the narration and follow the text, read the book yourself (or have the story read to you by a parent) and autoplay. Touch the objects on pages and their name will be displayed and read out.

What we liked: good educational value. Quality illustrations. Excellent reading options (words are highlighted when read, you can touch a word to have it read out, tap twice to repeat a paragraph, picture-word associations). Professional narration. Sounds and sound backgrounds.

What we didn't like: the pages are very static. There are no interactive elements (apart from the word read-out features)

Appysmarts

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iPhone

iPad

A Busy Day for Stegosaurus

by Oceanhouse Media

Price: 1.99$ (was 2.99$)

iPhone + iPad

Overall Score: 92/100

version reviewed: 2.5

reviewed: 27/02/2014

Best for: Interactive books, Attention & concentration, Early literacy, Understanding of the world

What it is/what you do with it:an interactive book from the Smithsonian Prehistoric series. About 14 scenes/pages. 3 reading modes: listen to the narration and follow the text, read the book yourself (or have the story read to you by a parent) and autoplay. Touch the objects on pages and their name will be displayed and read out.

What we liked: good educational value. Quality illustrations. Excellent reading options (words are highlighted when read, you can touch a word to have it read out, tap twice to repeat a paragraph, picture-word associations). Professional narration. Sounds and sound backgrounds.

What we didn't like: the pages are very static. There are no interactive elements (apart from the word read-out features)

Appysmarts

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iPhone

iPad

Alphabet of Dinosaurs

by Oceanhouse Media

Price: 1.99$

iPhone + iPad

Overall Score: 90/100

version reviewed: 2.5

reviewed: 01/02/2014

Best for: Interactive books, Attention & concentration, Early literacy, Language, Understanding of the world

What it is/what you do with it: a storybook app featuring about 19 popular dinosaurs + related entries (e.g. Jurassic Period, Quadrupeds etc.).

Three reading modes: listen to the narration and follow the text, read the book yourself (or have the story read to you by a parent) and autoplay. Touch the objects on pages and their name will be displayed and read out.

What we liked: good educational value. Quality illustrations. Excellent reading options (words are highlighted when read, you can touch a word to have it read out, tap twice to repeat a paragraph, picture-word associations). Professional narration. Sounds and sound backgrounds.

What we didn't like: the pages are very static, there are no interactive elements (apart from the read-out features). The non-dinosaur entries (e.g. 'nest', 'x-ray') could be placed in a separate chapter/reference page.

Appysmarts

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iPad

Best dinosaur apps for kids recommended by Appysmarts editors & users.

Ansel & Clair: Triassic Dinosaurs - A Fingerprint Network App

Show Screenshots »

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iLuv Drawing Dinosaurs HD - Learn how to draw dinosaurs step by step

Show Screenshots »

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Ansel & Clair: Jurassic Dinosaurs - A Fingerprint Network App

Show Screenshots »

Hide Screenshots »

Dinosaur Park Math - Android Version

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Dinosaur Park Math

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Inside the World of Dinosaurs - narrated by Stephen Fry

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Velociraptor: Small and Speedy

Show Screenshots »

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Pteranodon Soars

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A Busy Day for Stegosaurus

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Alphabet of Dinosaurs

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