Sago Mini Ocean Swimmer
© 2013 Sago Mini
Like "Forest Flyer" (CTR June 2013), where you fly a bird around with your finger, Ocean Swimmer uses the same game mechanic using a little fish, with more art, characters and animation. There's no place you can't visit, and no way to fail. The only noticeable difference is that there's more to do, and the animated routines and music have been improved. There's a chorus of swimming fish, a treasure chest and a stunt-diving dog -- the sort of gentle surprises that a toddler will want to discover over and over again. We liked how there's just enough tension to keep things interesting. This is a fish that likes to take risks. As a result, it makes an outstanding first app for the youngest child, offering a potentially collaborative, fine motor experience. You start by touching the front door of a fish house, and a little green fish appears which rings a bell. There's no formal educational content, but that's not the point. It's best to think of this app as a busy box that promotes exploration, feelings of control, and discovery; and hopefully some conversation. This "mini" app was by Sago Sago, the studio formally known as zinc Roe that was acquired by Toca Boca.
$1.99, iPad
Teaches: spatial relations, language, causality
CTR Rating: 98%