LEGO Duplo World
© 2019 StoryToys
Looking for a solid, bite-sized school readiness experience for your smart phone or tablet? This app will do the job, whether at home or in preschool, with a playset's worth of colorful Duplo pieces come to life. The cost for all the content we experienced is $8 -- which includes three unique learning areas. The app starts off with the free Number Train to test the waters, then you may choose to purchase World Animals and Rescue Adventure for more fun. The app store description mentions there's more content planned for the future as well. The simple, responsive learning games are derived from Head Start learning objectives. These dry teaching targets are nothing new, but their tactile, whimsical treatment in this app adds an essential spark. You start by loading blocks onto train cars. As you tap number blocks, you hear numeral in a clear voice. Incorrect answers simply fall off for another try. You can either drag or drop the blocks, or tap them to hurry up. After your goal is achieved, the trains speeds to the next level (you can swipe on the train to backtrack or skip forward if you like). Other games ask you to sort by color or shape or play a game of concentration with silly animals. There's also free building areas, featuring blocks and animals from real Duplo sets. The educational validity of this experience can be enhanced by pairing the block set with the app to link the concrete with the symbolic. Other parent features include a play timer, the ability to toggle background music, and a wide range of language options. Every item in the app responds to your touch, and the background graphics move when you tilt the screen -- small features that amplify your feelings of control. Multi-touch capability allows simultaneous sorting and building to be shared by one or more children (or adults). Each activity starts with a short description of the learning content, which can fortunately be passed over with a tap. So why not five stars? We would've liked more control over the navigation, and some progress tracking on the main menu, so you could see which games have already been played. Note that this app is free to play but additional content is available via in-app purchases. The app was made for the LEGO Group by StoryToys, which is part of TouchPress.
$8, iPad, Android, iPhone
Teaches: counting, early learning, math, logic, fine motor skills
CTR Rating: 90%