Montessori Nature
© 2016 Edoki Academy
Update 1/17/2017: A Plant book with information on each plant has been added. Like a game of diner-dash (but with garden related jobs) this game makes you race as you juggle the many tasks needed to maintain a garden-related business. You clear small squares of land, plant seeds, collect crops, scare away pests and -- if you're lucky -- harvest your goods in exchange for coins to buy more seeds and garden tools. We're not sure what is specifically "Montessori" about this game other than the general nature theme. The process building your garden empire is addicting, following a play pattern that has been used many times in similar games with IAP (In App Purchases). Don't worry -- there's no profit motive in this game. But it can use a large amount of time. It's hard to stop planting, and there's a continual stream of crows, moles and weeds that want to destroy your crops. It's also fun to earn money to buy more powerful tools. There are some nice touches to note. If you plant flowers, you can attract bees which fill honey containers. Multi-touch is supported so -- in theory -- two children could tend the same garden. But the screen control isn't always smooth (sometimes your movements required to use a tool will change the screen view). It is possible to maintain individual profiles (and gardens) as long as you register and create a player profile. Making an account requires being online. The app comes with a set of iMessage stickers. It is possible to save profiles for up to 40 children work on the same account in real time. Need to know: Like tending a real garden, there's a lot of thoughtless busy work. To clear the weeds, you must to continually tap at random over a square of young plants as a progress bar fills up. As you "pull" the weeds (more random tapping), another plot will require seeds, water or harvesting (even more random tapping). From a non-fiction point of view (relevant because of the Montessori branding) there are some issues to note. You can plant and grow crops in the winter, and there's no information about specific seeds or plants provided. It is also possible to bring a dead plant to life with a bit of water and weeding.
$1.99, iPad, iPhone
Teaches: science, nature, money, memory, logic
CTR Rating: 78%