Here are some Apps for organization and finance:
Ernit- Ages 8 +
(iOS and Android)
Free
Ernit strives to subscribe monetary values to actions, and it largely succeeds. Chore trackers are in abundant supply in both the iOS and Android app stores. But it's the customizable functions that set Ernit apart from the other allowance apps. Parents set "tasks" for children to complete and children can in turn request chores. Once a task is completed, parents give virtual money to their child, or withdraw money from the child if a task isn't completed to satisfaction. A list of preset tasks is provided and parents may also create their own. Ernit's interface is whimsical and somewhat gamelike, but also sophisticated enough to feel serious.
Chore Check- Ages 10+
(iOS)
Free
For families that are ready to transition to a more advanced chore/allowance tracking app, Chore Check fits the bill. The app can be used by the whole family as a way to assign chores, check for their completion, and give an allowance after each job is completed. Ambitious kids can steal a chore from their siblings if the adult enables this function. The free version does not include attaching bank accounts for the actual transfer of money, but keeps track of the money earned. If you choose to join Chore Check Pay in order to transfer money directly into bank accounts, there is a $9 per month fee.
Here are Apps for academics and scholarly choices:
Epic!- Ages 2-12
(iOS and Android)
$7.99/month with free options
Epic! is a massive ebook and digital video library for children aimed at preschool and early elementary aged students. The offerings are robust, and it includes data on how much time a user spends reading, how many "pages" they've turned, and also tracks the number of books a user has finished. It's worth trying, especially for kids who may not be the most confident readers and would enjoy the privacy that ebook reading offers.
Prodigy- Grades 1-8
(iOS and Android)
Free
Imagine a cross between a math textbook, "Lord of the Rings" and the popular app Clash of the Clans, and you've got Prodigy. The app developers gamified math lessons in this fantasy quest. Users must utilize math skills in order to cast spells and beat opponents. The math challenges can be tough- even for adults. If tweens are going to be sucked into a game on their phone, why not steer them towards an app that will complement what they are learning in school?
Wizard School- Ages 8 +
(iOS and wonder Box on Android)
Free
Wizard school offers a safe environment for exploring curated videos on unusual topics such as "Make a Dog Talk" and "Design a Ceramic Tile". The app uses these "challenge topics" to invoke ideation, and then offers simple challenges to the user. Once a child completes a challenge, they can send a message with their creation to a friend or their parent through the app. What makes this app so interesting is that the challenge topics are framed purely as entertainment , when in reality many are scholarly in nature- space, science, health, people, and animals are just a sampling of challenge topics. Imagination, photography, kidpreneur, do it yourself, riddles and puzzles, design, and drawing round out the remaining topic areas. Older tweens could find Wizard School a tad juvenile, but if they look beyond the somewhat cutesy interface, they will be surprised by the amount of fun to be had.
~Stacy Dillon and Amy Laughlin, SLJ
Ernit- Ages 8 +
(iOS and Android)
Free
Ernit strives to subscribe monetary values to actions, and it largely succeeds. Chore trackers are in abundant supply in both the iOS and Android app stores. But it's the customizable functions that set Ernit apart from the other allowance apps. Parents set "tasks" for children to complete and children can in turn request chores. Once a task is completed, parents give virtual money to their child, or withdraw money from the child if a task isn't completed to satisfaction. A list of preset tasks is provided and parents may also create their own. Ernit's interface is whimsical and somewhat gamelike, but also sophisticated enough to feel serious.
Chore Check- Ages 10+
(iOS)
Free
For families that are ready to transition to a more advanced chore/allowance tracking app, Chore Check fits the bill. The app can be used by the whole family as a way to assign chores, check for their completion, and give an allowance after each job is completed. Ambitious kids can steal a chore from their siblings if the adult enables this function. The free version does not include attaching bank accounts for the actual transfer of money, but keeps track of the money earned. If you choose to join Chore Check Pay in order to transfer money directly into bank accounts, there is a $9 per month fee.
Here are Apps for academics and scholarly choices:
Epic!- Ages 2-12
(iOS and Android)
$7.99/month with free options
Epic! is a massive ebook and digital video library for children aimed at preschool and early elementary aged students. The offerings are robust, and it includes data on how much time a user spends reading, how many "pages" they've turned, and also tracks the number of books a user has finished. It's worth trying, especially for kids who may not be the most confident readers and would enjoy the privacy that ebook reading offers.
Prodigy- Grades 1-8
(iOS and Android)
Free
Imagine a cross between a math textbook, "Lord of the Rings" and the popular app Clash of the Clans, and you've got Prodigy. The app developers gamified math lessons in this fantasy quest. Users must utilize math skills in order to cast spells and beat opponents. The math challenges can be tough- even for adults. If tweens are going to be sucked into a game on their phone, why not steer them towards an app that will complement what they are learning in school?
Wizard School- Ages 8 +
(iOS and wonder Box on Android)
Free
Wizard school offers a safe environment for exploring curated videos on unusual topics such as "Make a Dog Talk" and "Design a Ceramic Tile". The app uses these "challenge topics" to invoke ideation, and then offers simple challenges to the user. Once a child completes a challenge, they can send a message with their creation to a friend or their parent through the app. What makes this app so interesting is that the challenge topics are framed purely as entertainment , when in reality many are scholarly in nature- space, science, health, people, and animals are just a sampling of challenge topics. Imagination, photography, kidpreneur, do it yourself, riddles and puzzles, design, and drawing round out the remaining topic areas. Older tweens could find Wizard School a tad juvenile, but if they look beyond the somewhat cutesy interface, they will be surprised by the amount of fun to be had.
~Stacy Dillon and Amy Laughlin, SLJ
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