Toca Mini

$2.99, iPad, iPhone, Android

Teaches: creativity, 3D perspective

CTR Rating: 94%

CTR Review

Children can playfully explore some powerful graphic design concepts with this 3D figurine decorating experience. You start with a blank slate, in the form of a pudgy figure and a set of 78 reversible stamps, creative zany options such as spider webs, wheels, hearts and shoe laces, and stamps to create your own hair and eyes, and a palate of colors. You learn that the more features you add, the more your figure "wakes up" and comes to life. While the strength of this app is that it is so simple to pick up and play, there are some drawbacks to note. Sometimes you can't remove a stamp, and the stamps don't always drag the way you'd like. This isn't a big deal, but it is annoying -- in the accompanying video review you can see how you need to pause over an icon to "make it stick" to your finger. At the end, you can take a photo, but you can't save or edit your prior work. What sets this app apart from others is the way it lets you draw on a 3D object, and the smart features, such as the emerging personality. For example, if you leave a Mini alone for too long it will try to catch your attention by waving or singing and dancing. While this program looks simple, it's actually a template that can lead to some powerful ideas.