This is a running list of what's considered to be the best mobile apps for kids. Some have won major awards. Some are recommended by experts in the field. Some are backed by rigorous research on learning outcomes.
KAPi Awards
What it is: The award identifies children’s technology products that "raise the bar for innovation and excellence during the past 12 months."
Selection process: The nominee list is created from products reviewed in Children’s Technology Review and other products nominated by publishers, researchers, and reviewers at the Dust or Magic Institute. A panel of publishers, editors, and analysts vote on the winner.
- Magic Piano - 2011 Best Children's App
- Wheels on the Bus - 2010 Best Children's App
Cooney Center Prizes for Innovation in Children’s Learning
(Mobile Learning category)
What it is: The goals of the prize are "to identify, inspire, nurture, and scale breakthrough ideas in children's digital media and learning."
Selection process: A judging panel probes finalists about various product success factors, including educational impact, potential to scale and sustainability. The 2010 panel included Laird Malamed, SVP Production at Guitar Hero, Activision Blizzard, Gary Knell, President & CEO of Sesame Workshop, Liz Perle, Editor-In-Chief, Common Sense Media, Alan Gershenfeld, Founder E-Line Media and Chairman of Games for Change, and Warren Buckleitner, Founder, Children’s Technology Review.
- Project NOAH - 2010 winner
- Motion Math - 2010 finalist
- Pocket School - 2010 finalist
- Toontastic - 2010 finalist
