Labo Train(4+)

by Labo Lado Inc.

Price: free (was 1.99$)

iPad

Overall Score: 95/100

version reviewed: 1.2.0

reviewed: 30/12/2015

Best for: Interactive play, Creativity, Eye-hand coordination

What is it/what do you do with it: create and decorate you own train then 'drive' it on a track. Extra challenge: fix broken bridges and remove obstacles to help your train deliver a load of apples safely.

What we liked: the concept. Simple illustrations. Good range of features and props. Ease of use. No ads or other distracting elements.

What we didn't like: could have more educational features. No spoken instructions.

Appysmarts

Graphic quality:

Length of play:

Educational value:

2
4
6
8
10
13
(years)

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iPhone

iPad

Thomas & Friends: Misty Island Rescue

by Callaway Digital Arts, Inc.

Price: free

May contain `more apps` links

iPhone

Overall Score: 91/100

version reviewed: 2.1

reviewed: 08/02/2012

Best for: Interactive books, Attention & concentration, Creativity, Early literacy, Eye-hand coordination, Interaction, Language, Music & art, Personal & social, Thinking & problem solving, Understanding of the world

What it is: an interactive adaptation of the 'Thomas & Friends' book with extra activities.

What you do with it:listen to the story, touch the pics for some interaction. Plus: a painting activity, connect the dots and jigsaw puzzles.

What we liked: the concept, good quality of graphics and narration, easy operation. Extra activities. Good app for fans of Thomas & Friends.

What we didn't like: the story has only one mode 'read to me'. Too few interactive elements. The painting activity is almost useless. We had problem with finding the recommended age bracket for this app: the puzzles are very easy on the other hand the video is rather suitable for kids, who can read quite well. The price is too high for what this app offers.

Appysmarts

Graphic quality:

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2
4
6
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10
13
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iPhone

iPad

Chuggington Chug Patrol Book - Android version

by StoryToys

Price: 4.99$

Android

Overall Score: 86/100

version reviewed: 1.0.6

reviewed: 08/02/2014

Best for: Interactive books, Attention & concentration, Early literacy, Eye-hand coordination, Interaction, Personal & social, Understanding of the world

What it is and what you do with it: the official app of the Chug Patrol: Ready to Rescue episode: an interactive Chuggington pop-up book featuring Wilson, Brewster, Koko, Jackman (Chief of Chug Patrol) and more. About 21 pages, 3 reading modes (read to me, read it myself and autoplay). 9 3D-like pop-up scenes with simple activities.

What we liked: the concept. Excellent 3D-like graphics and animations based on the original TV series artwork. Interactions complementing the storyline. Sounds and sound backgrounds. Spoken instructions. Ease of use. No distracting elements.

What we didn't like: the extra activities are very basic and may get repetitive after some time. The story itself is a bit short. Reading options could be better (no words highlighting etc).

Appysmarts

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2
4
6
8
10
13
(years)

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Android

Zoo Train

by Busy Bee Studios

Price: 0.99$

May contain `more apps` links

iPhone + iPad

Overall Score: 72/100

version reviewed: 3.6

reviewed: 08/12/2011

Best for: Education, Attention & concentration, Early literacy, Eye-hand coordination, Interaction, Language, Music & art, Thinking & problem solving, Understanding of the world

What it is: 5 simple minigames (puzzles, music).

What you do with it: 5 activities: simple puzzles with about 6 pieces each, musical activity (playing 4 popular nursery rhymes), train building activity, word building activity and a track building game.

What we liked: simple activities, simple graphics, easy navigation and interaction.

What we didn't like: activities are rather simple and don't have too much educational value but if you are looking for a 'time filler' it's fine. The range is too broad for one app (from very simple puzzles to spelling), it's difficult to recommend this app to a particular age range. No spoken instructions. A bit overpriced for what it offers.

Appysmarts

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2
4
6
8
10
13
(years)

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iPhone

iPad

Rainbow Train: Teach Colors.

by iqsoftware

Price: 1.99$ (was 2.99$)

May contain `more apps` links

iPhone

Overall Score: 71/100

version reviewed: 1.3

reviewed: 11/06/2012

Best for: Education, Attention & concentration, Eye-hand coordination, Language, Thinking & problem solving, Understanding of the world

What it is: an app teaching the names of 10 colors and color recognition.

What you do with it: there 3 activities: learning color names (choose a color and listen to the names of the objects on the screen), color recognition (listen to the instructions and point to the objects with the particular color) and color matching (match the objects with train cars by their color). There are 3 difficulty levels (4, 7 or 10 colors).

What we liked: nice graphics, easy to use even for younger kids. British, American and French narration included.

What we didn't like: just 10 colors. The object/color associations in the first activity can be a bit confusing for kids (not all umbrellas are blue). The time limit in the color matching and color recognition activities (may be frustrating for kids). The color matching activity has a limited educational value (why not include the names of the colors when the objects are touched?). The background music can be annoying (fortunately it can be turned off).

Appysmarts

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2
4
6
8
10
13
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iPhone

iPad

Thomas & Friends: Thomas Gets His Own Branch Line

by HiT Entertainment

Price: 2.99$

May contain `more apps` links

iPhone + iPad

Overall Score: 71/100

version reviewed: 3.2

reviewed: 21/02/2012

Best for: Interactive books, Attention & concentration, Creativity, Early literacy, Eye-hand coordination, Interaction, Language, Music & art, Personal & social, Thinking & problem solving, Understanding of the world

What it is: an interactive adaptation of the 'Thomas & Friends' book with extra activities.

What you do with it:listen to the story (or read it yourself). Plus: a painting activity and a set jigsaw puzzles.

What we liked: the concept, good quality of graphics and narration, easy operation. Extra options for reading the book. Additional 'themed' activities. A good app for fans of Thomas & Friends.

What we didn't like: no interactive elements. Navigation while reading the book is not too consistent (sometimes the page changes, sometimes it zooms). The painting activity is almost useless (no zoom function for painting small details). The jigsaw puzzles activity is very simple.

Appysmarts

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Educational value:

2
4
6
8
10
13
(years)

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iPhone

iPad

Thomas & Friends: Thomas Gets a Snowplow

by HiT Entertainment

Price: 2.99$

May contain `more apps` links

iPhone + iPad

Overall Score: 70/100

version reviewed: 3.0

reviewed: 15/02/2012

Best for: Interactive books, Attention & concentration, Creativity, Early literacy, Eye-hand coordination, Interaction, Language, Music & art, Personal & social, Thinking & problem solving, Understanding of the world

What it is: an interactive adaptation of the 'Thomas & Friends' book with extra activities.

What you do with it:listen to the story (or read it yourself). Plus: a painting activity and a set jigsaw puzzles.

What we liked: the concept, good quality of graphics and narration, easy operation. Extra options for reading the book. Additional 'themed' activities. A good app for fans of Thomas & Friends.

What we didn't like: no interactive elements. Navigation while reading the book is not too consistent (sometimes the page changes, sometimes it zooms). The painting activity is almost useless (no zoom function for painting small details). The jigsaw puzzles activity is very simple.

Appysmarts

Graphic quality:

Length of play:

Educational value:

2
4
6
8
10
13
(years)

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iPhone

iPad

Zoo Train - Android version

by Busy Bee Studios, Inc.

Price: free

May contain `more apps` links

Android

Overall Score: 69/100

version reviewed: 1.1

reviewed: 18/01/2013

Best for: Education, Attention & concentration, Early literacy, Eye-hand coordination, Interaction, Language, Music & art, Thinking & problem solving, Understanding of the world

What it is: 5 simple minigames (puzzles, music).

What you do with it: 5 activities: simple puzzles with about 6 pieces each, musical activity (playing 4 popular nursery rhymes), train building activity, word building activity and a track building game.

What we liked: simple activities, simple graphics, easy navigation and interaction.

What we didn't like: activities are rather simple and don't have too much educational value but if you are looking for a 'time filler' it's fine. The range is too broad for one app (from very simple puzzles to spelling), it's difficult to recommend this app to a particular age range. No spoken instructions. A bit overpriced for what it offers.

Appysmarts

Graphic quality:

Length of play:

Educational value:

2
4
6
8
10
13
(years)

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Android

Animal Train Preschool Adventure First Word Learning Games for Toddler Loves Farm and Zoo Animals by Monkey Abby®

by CFC s.r.o.

Price: 1.99$

May contain `more apps` links

iPhone + iPad

Overall Score: 69/100

version reviewed: 1.6

reviewed: 09/12/2011

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

What it is: an app to learn and practice animal names and colors.

What you do with it: place animals on train trucks according to the instructions.

What we liked: illustrations, simple operation, number of animals to play with, good app to practice animal names.

What we didn't like: it would be hard to recommend this app for kids who learn to read (as the producer advertises) - the activities will not be challeging enough. App may be a little cheaper for what it offers. There is a huge ad for other products from this manufacturer on the starting screen.

Appysmarts

Graphic quality:

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Educational value:

2
4
6
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10
13
(years)

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iPhone

iPad

Look in My Eyes: Steam Train 2

by FizzBrain

Price: free

May contain `more apps` links

iPhone

Overall Score: 68/100

version reviewed: 1.0

reviewed: 03/04/2012

Best for: Interactive play, Attention & concentration, Eye-hand coordination, Interaction, Personal & social, Thinking & problem solving, Understanding of the world

What it is: a simple steam train simulator with a special activity for teaching eye contact.

What you do with it: drive a virtual train and deliver missing parts of the European landmarks (the Eiffel Tower, the Colosseum etc). Before you can drive the train you need to 'buy' some coal by playing a short game (recalling numbers displayed in children's eyes).
Driving the train includes speeding up or slowing down, adding coal to the firebox, controlling pressure in the boiler, switching views (front/back/side) etc.

What we liked: the concept of using the eye-contact activity as key 'unlocking' the main activity. No time constrains for completing the tasks. We liked the audio instructions/tutorials before each activity.

What we didn't like: for the lower age range the simulator will be difficult to play with without help from an adult. The controls and animations are rather rudimentary. The graphics/illustrations were not particularly appealing to our reviewers. The 'cultural knowledge' content is very limited and in our opinion could be left out or replaced with some other activities.

Additional note: the producer recommends this app for Special Needs children (autism or Asperger syndrome).

Appysmarts

Graphic quality:

Length of play:

Educational value:

2
4
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10
13
(years)

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iPhone

Best kids apps about trains.

Labo Train(4+)

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Thomas & Friends: Misty Island Rescue

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Chuggington Chug Patrol Book - Android version

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Zoo Train

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Rainbow Train: Teach Colors.

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Thomas & Friends: Thomas Gets His Own Branch Line

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Thomas & Friends: Thomas Gets a Snowplow

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Zoo Train - Android version

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Animal Train Preschool Adventure First Word Learning Games for Toddler Loves Farm and Zoo Animals by Monkey Abby®

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Look in My Eyes: Steam Train 2

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