When I first got my iPhone the thought of letting one of my kids even touch it was like “NOT HAPPENING!” Then slowly, I allowed them to play games here and there as a way to keep them occupied. It was such a hit, my kids asked if they could use the tickets they earned from doing chores to play on my iPhone!
Now, as a homeschooler, I’m always trying to think of new ways to make learning fun. I’ll admit, I’m an iPhone newbie, and honestly I didn’t realize was that there were literally TONS of educational games out there! This epiphany lead to what’s now affectionately referred to as “There’s an iPhone in my Workbox!”.
I think it would be even more fun with an iPad, but for now everyone’s happy with the iPhone idea. I purposely leave a workbox empty when I’m filling them, and instead put a sticky note with the game I want them to play on it. (I’m not foolish enough to leave my phone unattended in a workbox overnight, plus my fish would die if I didn’t tend to them.) Then the next day when we start school, someone will remind me that they have the “special note” in their box and I’ll add in my iPhone.
Please note that I pick the game they are to play, it’s not a free for all. However, they do get to play what they want after playing my selected game for 10-15 minutes and really the games are pretty fun, so I haven’t had any complaining what-so-ever.
So what games do we like? We have games on logic, reading, spelling, math, space, and then some that are just plain fun! Below are some of our favorites (Most are free, a few are paid):
Math Bingo, Montessori Crosswords, Words With Friends, Move It, Fish School, Rocket Math, Solitaire City, Stack the States, Starfall ABC’s, Preschool Connect the Dots, iJewels, Jewel Bling Free, Sudoku, Zaner-Bloser Handwriting, Shape Builder, Hangman Classic, SkyView, SpinArt, Tic-Tac-Toe, Word Wagon, Bob Books, Cookie Doodle, Living Earth, Sky Burger.
Oh, and, if the kind hearted Apple people are reading this post, and wish to send an iPad to help in our homeschooling journey, that would be awesome! ;o)
To see more educational iPhone games, just open up your iTunes and search for “Educational Apps”! There are tons!
Have an educational iPhone app you’d like to share? Comment below!
Have you tried Novel Idea? If not, definitely try it! Not only is it a fun way for kids (of ALL ages) to connect with friends and family, but it’s also a great way to build vocabulary. It’s a game that allows kids to write a story one sentence at a time with any of their friends or family members.
The way the game is set up allows an even playing field for everyone involved (you register your age and it gives you sets of words appropriate for your reading level/age group), and it is designed to be safe for kids (so that no pervy strangers can contact them). Seriously, check this out. It’s new for the iPhone/iPad/Droid, and it’s a great way to not only connect with family but also to have fun while building a better vocabulary and great writing skills.
I also like to use technology in my homeschool. Speed! is a fun skip-counting card game that helps kids learn multiplication. My husband spent the past year working on this game during his free time. Now it’s available in the app store for the iPad. Hopefully it will be available for the iPhone in a few months. It’s fun for both kids and adults and I hope you give it a try.
Julie
http://highhillhomeschool.blogspot.com/2013/01/speed-is-in-ipad-app-store.html
I am a mom with a 2 year old and we are launching a space adventure children’s book called “Where is 1? An Earthling’s Book of Numbers” with an APP that 3D animates each page. It will be fun, creative and educational. Our demo app is in the Apple and Google Play app stores right now. I’d love for you to download it, follow the instructions and check it out! You can also learn more on our website, Facebook page or find us on Kickstarter.com. If this mission is successful, we’ll be launching many new educational books and apps for kids ages 2-8.