Price: free
May contain `more apps` links
Overall Score: 88/100
version reviewed: 1.2
reviewed:
What it is: a set of 9 wooden-like puzzles (10-15 pieces each, some of them are animated) with animals of the world.
What you do with it: slide the pieces in place to complete the puzzles. For more difficulty (and fun) some of the pieces move over the scene (e.g. birds flying, kangaroos hopping)
What we liked: the concept, especially addition of the 'moving' pieces, easy operation, very nice illustrations, overall 'feel' of the game.
What we didn't like: the names of the animals and continents are not spoken, problems with the background music (stops playing after a while). For smaller children parental assistance is recommended.
Please note that we tested the 'full' version of this app (the free version + $1.99 in-app purchase) which includes all 9 puzzles. The free version has only 2 puzzles and has prominent links to in-app purchases easily accessible to your child!
Appysmarts
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: free
May contain `more apps` links
Overall Score: 88/100
version reviewed: 1.1
reviewed:
What it is: a pack of puzzles and coloring activities.
What you do with it: touch the animals to hear its sounds and see simple animations, solve simple puzzles, color pictures.
What we liked: concept, illustrations, navigation/interaction.
What we didn't like: we would expect a little more interactivity (especially with the 'animal sounds' scene), no option to change or turn off the background music, no spoken instructions.
Appysmarts
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: 0.99$ (was 1.99$)
Overall Score: 87/100
version reviewed: 4.2
reviewed:
What it is: a pack of 30 'wooden' puzzles, from 1 to 10 pieces each.
What you do with it: shake to disassemble then slide pieces in place.
The good: the concept, illustrations, simple shapes, puzzles easy to assemble even for smaller children, three levels of difficulty.
The not so good: navigating back to the main page is difficult, not all puzzles have background sounds.
Appysmarts
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: free
May contain `more apps` links
Overall Score: 86/100
version reviewed: 2.0
reviewed:
What it is: a 'wooden' puzzle game with the animals theme.
What you do with it: Slide pieces in place to complete the puzzles (from 1 piece to 8 pieces each).
What we liked: the concept, easy operation, graphics, the overal 'feel' of the game.
What we didn't like: no differentiation of difficulty levels (1 piece puzzles are mixed up with the more difficult ones). No background music. No rewards system.
Appysmarts
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
Price: free
May contain `more apps` links
Overall Score: 86/100
version reviewed: 1.0
reviewed:
What it is:a set of 5 puzzles (one picture for one season of the year plus a bonus picture), there are versions of 6, 12 or 24 piece puzzles.
What you do with it: slide the pieces in place to complete the picture. After the picture has been completed, you can interact with some of the elements in the picture either by touching the screen or by tilting the device.
What we liked: nice illustrations and easy operation.
What we didn't like: the bonus 'interactive' elements can be disappointing (especially for older kids) - there is just one element for each picture and it is very simple (you can pop the bubbles in the spring scene, 'blow' the leaves in the autumn scene etc). The app is very 'silent' (there are no sounds apart from a little 'tick' when you pop the puzzle in place).
Appysmarts
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: 2.99$
May contain in-app purchases
Overall Score: 86/100
version reviewed: 1.4.1
reviewed:
What is it/what do you do with it: classic Ravensburger jigsaw puzzles for iPhone/iPad/Android.
Over 400 puzzles (20-500 pieces each). Some are available with the initial purchase, additional puzzles can be downloaded with 'coins' ( in-app purchases).
What we liked: the concept. Great choice and quality of puzzles. Extra aids/ tools. Easy controls. Good puzzle management features.
What we didn't like: we wish there were more puzzles with the initial purchase.
Appysmarts
Price: 1.99$
Overall Score: 86/100
version reviewed: 1.25
reviewed:
What it is: a set of 13 puzzles (up to 10 pieces each puzzle) with various trucks and vehicles.
What you do with it: slide the pieces into place to complete the vehicle or scene. After a puzzle is completed a short animation will be played.
What we liked: ease of use, fun factor, no distracting elements.
What we didn't like: no consistency in puzzle types. Some scenes don't contain any vehicles. No vehicle sounds :(. No spoken instructions. Limited educational value (e.g. there are a few numbers, shapes etc. but their names are not read out).
Appysmarts
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: 0.99$ (was 1.99$)
Overall Score: 86/100
version reviewed: 2.1
reviewed:
What it is: 17 virtual 'wood maze puzzles'.
What you do with it: slide the virtual pieces along the slots to complete various tasks.
The good: the concept, illustrations, voice instructions, developmental & fun factors, intuitive and easy operation (like the 'real' maze puzzles'). Variety of tasks.
The not so good: occasional problems with navigation. The settings button did not work for us. There could be more puzzles for this price.
Appysmarts
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: 0.99$
Overall Score: 85/100
version reviewed: 1.0.2
reviewed:
What it is: a set of 6 cube puzzles.
What you do with it: rotate virtual cubes to complete a picture. After you match all the pieces a short animation of a dancing fruit will be played. There are 6 different puzzles and 2 levels of difficulty (4 and 9 cubes)
What we liked: the concept, illustrations, funny 'fruit' characters, very easy operation, simple instructions.
What we didn't like: just 6 puzzles, you can't turn the music off.
Bottom line: a very good app for developing color/shape matching skills and eye-hand coordination.
Appysmarts
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
iPad
Price: 2.99$
Overall Score: 82/100
version reviewed: 1.0
reviewed:
What it is: an interactive counting book (from 1 to 10) plus a set of jigsaw puzzles with the monster theme (7 puzzles, about 3-4 pieces each).
What you do with it: read the book and tap the monster for sounds and animations. Tap on the numbers to hear them read out. The book includes a special 'touch read' mode (touch individual words to hear their pronunciation).
What we liked: simple graphics, fun characters, ease of use, no distracting elements.
What we didn't like: no 'read to me' mode with automatic narration (that's why we recommend parental assistance). The educational value could be higher (e.g. we missed some sort of 'count along' feature to count monsters' eyes, feet etc when they are tapped).
Appysmarts
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
iPhone
