Bottom Line: An early stages app that allows children to color a scene, and then interact with the page they've created. A interactive coloring book with lots of potential but only one scene at this time.
To download Choo Choo Park ($1.99 iPad/iPhone) use the link below to support Smart Apps for Kids:'
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
This app contains external links to e-mail, social media sites and the app store under a protected parent section.
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Budding artists...get your crayon box! Which is really much quieter than starting their engines or something equally loud. Choo Choo Park is ready for good, clean creative fun. While the name might sound like the app has something to do with trains, it's all coloring all the time inside this app from the developer of the same name.
From the home screen (which can also be colored--see the crayons on the sides of the screen?!), all your child has to do is press "play" to be whisked to a black and white park scene, complete with people, park toys and mountains. On the right side of the screen, your future illustrator can access crayon colors of their liking to bring some life to the blank page.
Once they're done, items and people in the scene can be manipulated, moved and changed around until their picture is just so - an advantage virtual coloring books have over the real ones. The cardboard box icon acts as storage for items on the screen--if there's something she doesn't want right now, into the box it goes for safe keeping.
What's more, the tiny little characters on the page interact with the playground equipment, and will even indicate to you from time to time what it is they wish to do. When your child is finished, he can save a copy of his work by pressing the camera icon in the top right corner of the screen, or start over entirely by pressing the back arrow on the top left of the screen.
I really enjoyed the "next level"-ness this app brings. There are hoards of coloring apps inside the App Store, and really if you've seen one you've seen them all. However this app allows for a lot more creativity, story telling, and narrative describing by your tot by allowing item manipulation. The colors and designs are bright and simple, yet engaging for the app's target audience.
If I had to make changes to this app, I'd provide the opportunity for more color selection for the scenes, as well as more scenes for tots to bring to life. What I wouldn't change is the price point--$1.99 is a fair price for this fun, virtual coloring book. I'm anxious to see more added to this app so the kids on my speech therapy caseload can enjoy the endless possibilities.
***
Rachel J. has 2 cats who earn their keep by killing spiders so she doesn't have to. Ron Engel contributed to this review.
Comments