LumiKids Backyard
© 2015 Lumosity
The third app in the early childhood product line from Lumosity is another great addition to any early childhood library (see also LumiKids Park and LumiKids Beach). Available for both iPad and Android tablets, the app offers five well-designed activities that start easy and get harder. Each playfully introduces counting and logical thinking concepts, in the context of play themes that deal with the fear of the dark, bed time routines, quantities and weight, spatial relations and logical reasoning. This app is free of gender, ethnic and commercial bias, and many of the games use multi-touch features so that collaborative play is possible. If the app is free, what's the catch? The initial startup involves a registration process that asks you to jump through some hoops, while your device is online. It is possible to sidestep the process if you want to avoid giving Lumosity your child's age and email information, but it takes some effort. Thankfully this is a one time event, and it's worth the hassle given the quality of the activities this app delivers.
iPad, Android
Teaches: logic, matching, language, patterns, fear of the dark, social emotional development
CTR Rating: 92%