Not Kidlo’ing

KIDLOLAND APP REVIEW

I was gifted this app subscription to give it a whirl, but opinions are all my very own.

Is there anything more satisfying than popping balloons on the iPad?

Squishing falling paint drops?

Bursting monster balloons with one almighty tap?

Well…maybe finding $50 in your old jeans pocket comes close, but finding an app that keeps my little ones entertained, challenged and educated is also a complete win.

If you are not expecting the iPad to be your new babysitter, it can be used as an excellent strategy to ensure your kids are becoming ‘tech ready’. In our changing world, I want to allow my kids to experiment with technology, develop screen confidence, and expose them to the many ways technology can be used in our lives.

I set my kids to work giving Kidloland a solid road test. And that we did, Captain. Over the last few weeks, my five and three year old were of the crazy belief that all screen time bets were off, and Mummy had gone a little wild encouraging them to jump on the iPad and play games. What they didn’t know, was that I was watching for their ability to share with each other in our one iPad family. I was marveling at how quickly kids of today learn to swipe and hit the home button and go back to their favourite games. I was watching how my little one’s ability to tap, slide and drop on the screen has developed, and how my son has been counting past 10 more confidently. At times, they have even been taking it in turns, encouraging each other and I even witnessed a tiny hands ‘high 5’ moment between them. (Awww…little mummy heart melt!)

As a ‘working from home mum’, I have always felt a giant pang of ridiculous mother’s guilt when I plonk them in front of a movie for an hour or two. Apartment living means I can’t just send them out for a run around in the fresh air, and I have been really keen to find something to stimulate them and keep their minds active.

I have quite loved having my 3 year old sitting up beside me on the iPad whilst I work. We have sung the songs together and I have been nearby to help her with the trickier bits. Obviously the range and level of activities is broad given the target audience is 0-5, so it does take time to sort out who can actually play what. I will admit my 5 year old claimed it was ‘babyish’; of course now that he has done a whole 2 hours of orientation at ‘big school’, he is suddenly, miraculously, too big for …well…nearly everything that was fine last week. This has not stopped him from wildly enjoying anything on Kidloland with a rocket or monster theme. But as for the nursery rhymes? He is waaayyy too cool.

The music is spot on for my 3 year old. Despite her initial frustration with dropping pieces into puzzles, it has been crazy to see how fast this fine motor skill has progressed. She is not up to joining the numbered dots, but it has been adorable watching her bring her dolly to hear some lullabies whilst she ‘rocks her to sleep’.

It is super easy to download. Despite being a tech moron, the only time I had to ring my husband was to find out our personal password for the App Store. The app is available on Android, iOS and Amazon devices.

Here are some handy links if you were keen on downloading the app….

For your iOS ,

the Google Play Store,

or the Amazon app store .

The app is free to download, with loads of activities, songs and games that you can have a play around with, without even subscribing. If you decide it is worthwhile, you can take out a 7 day free trial, which allows you access to everything for 7 days. Certainly a great opportunity to ‘try before you buy’. If you love it after 7 days, the subscription offers are as follows :

1)  AUD 7.99  for 1 month (with a 7–day free trial)
2)  AUD 38.99 for 6 months
3)  AUD 62.99 for 1 year (Saves 33%)

It is definitely worth checking out and I will admit I have so much left to discover.

I guess I just have to wait till those kids get to bed, so I can resume my therapeutic screen bubble bursting.