Although the iPad was introduced relatively recently, the market is already full of apps for you to download on your new device. And many of these new products are directly aimed at a somewhat surprising demographic: children. How do you choose the best iPad apps for your kids? How do you decide what is appropriate?

The first factor to consider is the age of your child. Young children gravitate toward iPad because of its cinematic colors, realistic sounds, and immediate responsiveness. And you’ll be surprised how quickly even the youngest learn to swipe and scroll – they find its functionality intuitive. But you’ll want to closely supervise young children’s use of the iPad because young children aren’t known for being gentle with their toys, and to them the iPad is just a toy. Since you’ll be supervising, you may want to choose apps that allow parents and children to work together. “Look Emma, ​​it’s a bumblebee. Can you put your finger on the bumblebee? Can you make the bumblebee move up?” Remember, even though young children learn digital maneuvers very quickly, they are still working on a number of other skills, such as color and shape matching, memory, and language. Look for apps that reinforce them.

The second factor to consider when selecting the best iPad apps for kids is your child’s activity level and individual interests. Kids who love vehicles will enjoy apps that include planes, trucks, trains, and cars. Kids who love animals will like zoo and pet themed apps. But also keep in mind if your child is a calm, thoughtful and strategic person or if he likes things to go off and crash. These temperament differences will affect the types of applications your child will enjoy.

A third factor in choosing the best iPad apps for kids is educational. Even the smartest and most precious child has some area in which he or she is a little weak. It is almost certain that she will be able to find an application that answers that need. Do not be afraid that your child will perceive them as boring and boring. Today’s “educational games” really should fall into the “edutainment” category, as they educate and entertain in equal measure. Parents often underestimate the real fun value of children’s games and activities, and also underestimate the skill level their child really has. Many apps are very inexpensive or completely free, so feel free to download a few to assess skills your child may need to work on.

In the end, though, the best way to pick an app your child really enjoys is to see if it intrigues YOU. If he does, he’s a sure winner. You too were a child once. Sure, they didn’t have iPads back then, but you knew what you liked to play and what you didn’t. Trust that same judgment when choosing the best iPad apps for kids and you won’t go wrong.