[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” background_enable_color=”on” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row custom_padding_last_edited=”on|phone” _builder_version=”4.16.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” module_alignment=”left” custom_margin=”0px||0px||false|false” custom_padding=”2px||4px|2%|false|false” custom_padding_tablet=”” custom_padding_phone=”0px||0px||true|false” module_alignment_tablet=”” module_alignment_phone=”center” module_alignment_last_edited=”on|desktop” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_team_member name=”Dr. Nicole Beurkens” position=”Child psychologist” image_url=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2021\/09\/30144434\/Dr.Nicole.png” _builder_version=”4.16.1″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”RGBA(255,255,255,0)” width=”80%” width_tablet=”” width_phone=”” width_last_edited=”on|phone” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||24px|7px|false|false” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” position_text_align_tablet=”” position_text_align_phone=”center” position_text_align_last_edited=”on|phone” text_orientation_tablet=”” text_orientation_phone=”center” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_team_member][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2021\/06\/04085016\/Hero.png” alt=”15 great summer apps for kids” title_text=”15 best apps for kids this summer” force_fullwidth=”on” _builder_version=”4.16.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||24px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”-80px|||||” custom_padding=”0px||0px||true|false” da_disable_devices=”off|off|off” global_colors_info=”{}” da_is_popup=”off” da_exit_intent=”off” da_has_close=”on” da_alt_close=”off” da_dark_close=”off” da_not_modal=”on” da_is_singular=”off” da_with_loader=”off” da_has_shadow=”on”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
The summer can be a great time for your kids to take a break from school and recharge their batteries. But have you ever felt like too many days go by where they don\u2019t do much to stretch their brains? Maybe your kids seem to \u201cstart over\u201d when school begins in the fall, forget much of what they have learned last year \u2013something known as the \u201csummer slide<\/a>\u201d \u2013<\/strong>\u00a0 or don\u2019t seem to make significant progress from one year to the next? It\u2019s not your imagination, a new study shows that\u00a0children lose up to 40% of their learning<\/a>\u00a0over summer break.<\/p>\n Here\u2019s how to prevent summer slide and keep your kids learning throughout the school break.<\/strong><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n There are many\u00a0fun ways to encourage your children to discover new interests<\/strong>, get outside, learn new skills, and maintain learning even when they aren\u2019t going to school every day. One of the most popular ways to accomplish this is by using apps and games designed to spark your kids\u2019 interests in new topics, and prevent them from losing all their hard-earned knowledge over the summer!<\/p>\n There are many useful games and apps to try with your children this summer. The\u00a015 games\u00a0I\u2019ve suggested here are all safe quality choices to\u00a0get the best of learning and fun over the summer months<\/strong>. Learning apps and games combined with active participation in real-world activities can help your child avoid the summer slide and head back to school ready for the new year, and maybe even help them get ahead!<\/p>\n The apps and games I\u2019m suggesting fall into three main categories so that you can pick from each to support your child in all of the most important areas.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n One of the things we all want to avoid as parents is our kids spending most of the summer cooped up indoors when they could be benefitting from\u00a0fresh air, sunshine,\u00a0<\/b>and time in\u00a0nature.<\/b>\u00a0These apps encourage your kids to get outside and learn new things:<\/p>\n 1.\u00a0The Audubon Bird Guide App (Ages 7+):<\/a><\/strong> Bird watching is a perfect outdoor activity for kids of all ages, and works best for kids who are old enough to do a bit of exploring outside on their own. The Audubon Bird Guide app provides a detailed list of\u00a0over 800 different species of birds<\/b>\u00a0that your kids can keep track of as they see new ones in the wild. They can use the app to compare the number of different species they\u2019ve observed with each other, or work together to find different ones and complete the list.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0Star Chart (Ages 8+):<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The Star Chart app is sure to\u00a0spark your kids\u2019 imaginations<\/b>\u00a0and capture the interest of any future astronomers. All they have to do is point their device to the sky to learn about all of the stars, planets, constellations, and galaxies that lie above. They can even see the sky as viewed from anywhere on the planet, which is sure to be a real hit \u2013 especially among older kids who have learned a bit about space already.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0PlantSnap (Ages 5+):<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n What list of useful outdoors apps would be complete without a plant identifying app? PlantSnap allows you to take a picture of any plant and immediately identify it as well as learn how to take care of it. Your kids will have a blast\u00a0learning the names of all sorts of plants from the flowers<\/b>\u00a0in your yard to the fungi they find in the dirt.<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0Geocaching (Family activity)<\/a><\/strong>: Geocaching is an awesome and fun way to get out of the house as a family. Using a GPS, you can travel around town to\u00a0find hidden \u201ccaches\u201d like a big scavenger hunt.<\/b>\u00a0Try letting your kids take the initiative when you reach the locations where items are hidden.<\/p>\n 5.\u00a0AllTrails (Family activity):<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n AllTrails is a classic outdoor activity \u2013 going for a hike! This app (that\u2019s also a full-scale website) helps you find trails for all sorts of activities ranging from an easy walk to an exciting bike ride. For older kids, this can be a\u00a0great way to find something new to do near home<\/b>, or you can take a family trip and spend the day outdoors.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2021\/06\/04085521\/InsideImage.png” alt=”The best apps for kids this summer” title_text=”Best summer apps for kids” align=”center” disabled_on=”off|off|off” _builder_version=”4.16.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n One of the best parts about summer break is that your kids can get some of the hands-on learning and problem solving experiences that they may not get in school. These ideas can help your kids gain valuable knowledge and experience that carry over to many aspects of their lives in and out of the classroom.<\/p>\n 1.\u00a0Cut the Rope (Ages 4+)<\/a><\/strong><\/b><\/p>\n Cut the Rope is a timeless iPhone and iPad app that my kids used to play when smartphones first became popular. It\u2019s\u00a0great at teaching a bit of problem solving and perseverance<\/b>, while also being really fun.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0Mystery Math Town (Ages 7+)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n A cool math game<\/a> that really helps reinforce some important skills, Mystery Math Town has the player solve customizable math problems in order to progress and win. This game is especially useful for kids who need to memorize times tables or strengthen their basic math skills<\/b>.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0Where\u2019s My Water? (Ages 4+)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Just like Cut the Rope, Where\u2019s My Water is a classic game that my kids used to play all the time. It\u2019s another charming puzzle game that makes your kids work out how to solve each level, which is\u00a0great for critical thinking skills and perseverance<\/b>.<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0Winky Think Logic Puzzles (Ages 4+)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The Winky Think game includes a variety of different puzzles that challenge your brain in various ways. Your kids will feel a sense of accomplishment as they\u00a0progress to more difficult puzzles each day<\/b>.<\/p>\n 5.\u00a0Minecraft (Ages 8+)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n As one of the quintessential video games of the past decade, you\u2019ve almost certainly heard of Minecraft. This is one of few games that truly show the best video games have to offer, without including excessive violence or inappropriate content. It\u2019s\u00a0great for teaching some resilience, creativity, and quick thinking\u00a0<\/b>\u2013 but you may need to put some boundaries in place to make sure it\u2019s not overplayed!<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Of course, spending some time reinforcing existing academic skills or getting ahead for next year is always a good idea too. These educational apps and games<\/a> are great for helping your kids retain the knowledge they get from school and prevent the dreaded summer slide.\u00a0<\/p>\n 1.\u00a0WordWhile (Ages 9+)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n WordWhile is an app for kids who are starting to\u00a0read more involved literature<\/b>\u00a0in their classes, or for those who just like to explore a variety of texts. They can pick which book they want to work on, and then fill in words from the book that have been left blank.<\/p>\n 2.\u00a0DragonBox Algebra (Ages 5+)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n DragonBox Algebra is an entire app designed to start your kids on algebra early. It\u2019s a fun way to\u00a0introduce your kids to the basics of algebra<\/b>\u00a0in an engaging and low-stakes environment. Plus, they\u2019ll go into school feeling great when they already know the material.<\/p>\n 3.\u00a0Barefoot World Atlas (Ages 5+)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The Barefoot World Atlas app lets your kids learn about the people, cultures, and famous cities\u00a0<\/b>around the world. They can have fun exploring new regions, or learn facts about the cities near you. With travel still on the no-go list in most parts of the world, this is a great way for kids to learn and explore the globe without leaving home!<\/p>\n 4.\u00a0Toontastic (Ages 5+)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n The Toontasic animation app by Google was designed to give kids with creative ideas a chance to\u00a0make cool 3D animations<\/b>. If you have a musician, artist, or future filmmaker in your family this might just be the app for them.<\/p>\n 5.\u00a0SplashLearn (Ages 5+)<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n SplashLearn is a fantastic website that\u2019s widely used in elementary schools as a way to\u00a0teach kids reading and math through games<\/b>. Each game is designed to develop specific skills, and you can customize which games your child can play to help bolster their weak points or let them play to their strengths.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.16.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Remember that\u00a0even the most beneficial uses of electronics are no substitute for getting outside<\/b>\u00a0and genuinely experiencing the world around us. And research of young children clearly shows the\u00a0highest learning benefit comes with co-viewing or co-playing<\/a>\u00a0together with the parent.<\/p>\n The apps and games I have recommended in this article are excellent ways to\u00a0supplement a healthy range of everyday activities<\/b>, but any screen time should still be balanced with other activities. Many apps can support learning, we don\u2019t want to go overboard and replace real experiences with electronics.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_testimonial portrait_url=”https:\/\/static.qustodio.com\/public-site\/uploads\/2021\/09\/30144434\/Dr.Nicole.png” _builder_version=”4.24.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_margin=”||||false|false” custom_padding=”27px||17px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n A great way to make sure your kids get the most out of apps like these is to use a parental control tool like Qustodio. Qustodio lets you set time limits<\/a> on different devices and apps while monitoring what content your kids can see.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_testimonial][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" The summer can be a great time for your kids to take a break from school and recharge their batteries. But have you ever felt like too many days go by where they don\u2019t do much to stretch their brains? Maybe your kids seem to \u201cstart over\u201d when school begins in the fall, forget much […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":18,"featured_media":63786,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":" The summer can be a great time for your kids to take a break from school and recharge their batteries. But have you ever felt like too many days go by where they don\u2019t do much to stretch their brains? Maybe your kids seem to \u201cstart over\u201d when school begins in the fall, forget much of what they have learned last year \u2013something known as the \u201csummer slide<\/a><\/strong>\u201d \u2013\u00a0 or don\u2019t seem to make significant progress from one year to the next? It\u2019s not your imagination, a new study shows that children lose up to 40% of their learning<\/a> over summer break.\u00a0<\/p> Luckily, these problems can be solved without compromising the \u201cno school\u201d mentality<\/strong> your kids have during the summer months. There are many fun ways to encourage them to discover new interests, get outside, learn new skills, and maintain learning even when they aren\u2019t going to school every day. One of the most popular ways to accomplish this is by using apps and games designed to spark your kids\u2019 interests in new topics, and prevent them from losing all their hard-earned knowledge over the summer!\u00a0<\/p> There are many useful games and apps to try with your children this summer. The 15 games<\/strong> I\u2019ve suggested here are all safe quality choices to get the best of learning and fun over the summer months. Learning apps and games combined with active participation in real-world activities can help your child avoid the summer slide and head back to school ready for the new year, and maybe even help them get ahead!<\/p><\/div> The apps and games I\u2019m suggesting fall into three main categories so that you can pick from each to support your child in all of the most important areas:<\/p><\/div> One of the things we all want to avoid as parents is our kids spending most of the summer cooped up indoors when they could be benefitting from fresh air, sunshine, <\/strong>and time in nature.<\/strong> These apps encourage your kids to get outside and learn new things:<\/p> One of the best parts about summer break is that your kids can get some of the hands-on learning and problem solving experiences that they may not get in school. These ideas can help your kids gain valuable knowledge and experience that carry over to many aspects of their lives in and out of the classroom.<\/p> Of course, spending some time reinforcing existing academic skills or getting ahead for next year is always a good idea too. These apps and games are great for helping your kids retain the knowledge they get from school over break.<\/p> Remember that even the most beneficial uses of electronics are no substitute for getting outside<\/strong> and genuinely experiencing the world around us. And research of young children clearly shows the highest learning benefit comes with co-viewing or co-playing<\/a> together with the parent.\u00a0<\/p> The apps and games I have recommended in this article are excellent ways to supplement a healthy range of everyday activities<\/strong>, but any screen time should still be balanced with other activities. Many apps can support learning, we don\u2019t want to go overboard and replace real experiences with electronics.\u00a0<\/p> A great way to make sure your kids get the most out of games like these is to use an app like Qustodio<\/a><\/strong> that lets you set time limits on different devices and apps while monitoring what content your kids can see.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>Best apps to keep your kids engaged and help prevent summer slide<\/strong><\/h2>\n
5 apps to get kids outdoors<\/strong><\/h2>\n
<\/b><\/p>\n
<\/b><\/p>\n\u00a0<\/h3>\n
5 apps for problem solving and critical thinking<\/strong><\/h2>\n
5 apps and games for academic skills<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Play together<\/strong><\/h2>\n
How to keep your kids engaged and learning even when they aren\u2019t in school \u2014 and avoid the Summer Slide<\/h2><\/div>
The Summer Slide<\/strong><\/h3>
Apps to Get Kids Outdoors<\/strong><\/h3>
Bird watching is a perfect outdoor activity for kids of all ages, and works best for kids who are old enough to do a bit of exploring outside on their own. The Audubon Bird Guide app provides a detailed list of over 800 different species of birds<\/strong> that your kids can keep track of as they see new ones in the wild. They can use the app to compare the number of different species they\u2019ve observed with each other, or work together to find different ones and complete the list.<\/li>
The Star Chart app is sure to spark your kids\u2019 imaginations<\/strong> and capture the interest of any future astronomers. All they have to do is point their device to the sky to learn about all of the stars, planets, constellations, and galaxies that lie above. They can even see the sky as viewed from anywhere on the planet, which is sure to be a real hit - especially among older kids who have learned a bit about space already.<\/li>
What list of useful outdoors apps would be complete without a plant identifying app? PlantSnap allows you to take a picture of any plant and immediately identify it as well as learn how to take care of it. Your kids will have a blast learning the names of all sorts of plants from the flowers<\/strong> in your yard to the fungi they find in the dirt.<\/li>
Geocaching is an awesome and fun way to get out of the house as a family. Using a GPS, you can travel around town to find hidden \u201ccaches\u201d like a big scavenger hunt.<\/strong> Try letting your kids take the initiative when you reach the locations where items are hidden.<\/li>
AllTrails is a classic outdoor activity - going for a hike! This app (that\u2019s also a full-scale website) helps you find trails for all sorts of activities ranging from an easy walk to an exciting bike ride. For older kids, this can be a great way to find something new to do near home<\/strong>, or you can take a family trip and spend the day outdoors.<\/li><\/ol><\/div>Apps for Problem Solving and Critical Thinking<\/strong><\/h3>
Cut the Rope is a timeless iPhone and iPad app that my kids used to play when smartphones first became popular. It\u2019s great at teaching a bit of problem solving and perseverance<\/strong>, while also being really fun.\u00a0<\/li>
Another great game that really helps reinforce some important skills, Mystery Math Town has the player solve customizable math problems in order to progress and win. This game is especially useful for kids who need to memorize times tables or strengthen their basic math skills<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>
Just like Cut the Rope, Where's My Water is a classic game that my kids used to play all the time. It\u2019s another charming puzzle game that makes your kids work out how to solve each level, which is great for critical thinking skills and perseverance<\/strong>.<\/li>
The Winky Think game includes a variety of different puzzles that challenge your brain in various ways. Your kids will feel a sense of accomplishment as they progress to more difficult puzzles each day<\/strong>.<\/li>
As one of the quintessential video games of the past decade, you\u2019ve almost certainly heard of Minecraft. This is one of few games that truly show the best video games have to offer, without including excessive violence or inappropriate content. It\u2019s great for teaching some resilience, creativity, and quick thinking <\/strong>- but you may need to put some boundaries in place to make sure it\u2019s not overplayed!<\/li><\/ol><\/div>Apps and Games for Academic Skills<\/strong><\/h3>
WordWhile is an app for kids who are starting to read more involved literature<\/strong> in their classes, or for those who just like to explore a variety of texts. They can pick which book they want to work on, and then fill in words from the book that have been left blank.<\/li>
DragonBox Algebra is an entire app designed to start your kids on algebra early. It\u2019s a fun way to introduce your kids to the basics of algebra<\/strong> in an engaging and low-stakes environment. Plus, they\u2019ll go into school feeling great when they already know the material.<\/li>
The Barefoot World Atlas app lets your kids learn about the people, cultures, and famous cities <\/strong>around the world. They can have fun exploring new regions, or learn facts about the cities near you. With travel still on the no-go list in most parts of the world, this is a great way for kids to learn and explore the globe without leaving home!<\/li>
The Toontasic animation app by Google was designed to give kids with creative ideas a chance to make cool 3D animations<\/strong>. If you have a musician, artist, or future filmmaker in your family this might just be the app for them.\u00a0<\/li>
SplashLearn is a fantastic website that\u2019s widely used in elementary schools as a way to teach kids reading and math through games<\/strong>. Each game is designed to develop specific skills, and you can customize which games your child can play to help bolster their weak points or let them play to their strengths.<\/li><\/ol><\/div>Play together<\/strong><\/h3>
Footnotes<\/strong><\/h2>
More great digital parenting articles from Qustodio<\/strong><\/h3>
Where to get Qustodio<\/strong><\/h3>