Cool Travel Apps for Kids on Road Trips in 2013

January 2, 2013 by Tire Zoo
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Kids these days are far more comfortable with technology than any previous generation. A tablet or Smartphone can go a long way toward pacifying youngsters for a long journey. Parents who are tired of the squabbles and whining that come with road trips will probably agree that a silent back seat is one of the most significant benefits of mobile computing. One of the most important tips for traveling with kids is to get the right apps for your mobile device.

The best apps will depend on your child’s age and personal tastes. Here are a few ideas of apps that might be good for your next road trip.

For kids under six years of age:

• Cobypic: This app comes in both free and full versions and provides pictures to color and the tools with which to do it. Cobypic is much more than just an electronic coloring book. It allows pictures taken with the device’s camera to become a part of what is being colored and implements textures into the coloring experience. Cobypic encourages kids to express themselves with color and to pay attention to details.
• Memory Train:  Players can improve their memory with the help of Spacey the elephant. They are shown a series of objects and asked to recall such elements as their shape and color after they have gone out of sight. The game is fast paced most children should find it engaging and entertaining.
• iStoryBooks: These books provide pictures text and audio to keep your child entertained for hours at a time. The app comes with 11 books to start and new ones come out every two weeks.

For kids ages six 6 and up:

• Mad Libs:  Many may be familiar with the older version where ad libbed nouns and verbs are used in a story to produce funny results. The electronic version operates on the same principle. LOL Libs is an Android app that provides this same game for Google’s OS.
• The Night Sky: This app is perfect for those interested in astronomy, or it could be used to develop that interest. Simply point the device at the night sky anywhere and it will provide information on the visible constellations. It is the perfect way to make learning fun.

One of the more important tips for traveling with kids is that apps should be installed prior to trips, preferably where there is strong, reliable Internet. Mobile Internet is not always consistent and slow downloads can lead to frustration. Do your kids have a favorite app they use when traveling or can be incorporated into the road trip experience? Please share: