There are so many apps out there, it can feel overwhelming trying to choose the ones that are safe - and fun! - for your kids. Luckily, Disney has several apps that will keep your toddler entertained, while teaching them skills, as well. Some do cost money, but many do not. Here's a list of fun free apps for your toddler.
Disney Coloring World
Your little artist will love the Disney Coloring World app. You child can choose from several Disney characters to color. But, as PopSugar suggests, the real fun comes later, when your child's creation turns into a sticker. Children can collect these stickers and use them in interactive scenes from Disney films, like the carnival from Toy Story 4 or the castle in Frozen. The app is free, but you can opt to subscribe for additional and exclusive content. There is also a Spanish version - Disney Los Colores RA.
Disney Now
It's like taking the Disney Channel to go. Disney Now is an app that has Disney shows, games, books, and more! Once you download this app, you can access limited content right away. Or choose to log in using your television provider information (username and password) to access all the content. Best of all, the Disney Now app has various settings that you can change as your child grows. The toddler-safe setting only allows children to see age-appropriate content, so you can rest easy while your child watches.
Disney Team Of Heroes
Originally designed for children facing serious illness, this app is now available to everyone. And it comes with an uplifting message: resilience. Disney Team of Heroes includes a game board filled with an adventure featuring familiar Disney characters' faces. Kids can also participate in interactive storytelling, putting their own touch on classic stories. Along the way, children earn awards for bravery, honesty, and strength - an exercise that teaches every child that these traits come in many different forms. There are also special murals at hospitals around the country, including the Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, that interacts with the Disney Team of Heroes app to make the characters and adventures come to life.
Disney Jigsaw Puzzles
The more you play, the more you unlock in this app. There are hundreds of puzzles for children to choose from, with new puzzles added weekly. Each puzzle features Disney characters and scenes from favorite Disney movies, like Finding Dory, Zootopia, and Frozen. The puzzles range in difficulty, depending on your child's age. Children can race against the clock or go at their leisure. Conquering various puzzles will allow children to level up and unlock more puzzles with greater difficulty.
Disney Magic Timer
Momtastic calls this app a lifesaver. The Disney Magic Timer makes brushing your teeth fun! Kids pick their character, set the two-minute timer, then start brushing as the app reveals a secret surprise. Once they've completed the timer, they will collect stickers and unlock new characters. And they will unlock even more surprises as they rack up consecutive days of brushing in the morning and at night.
Disney Magic Kingdoms
Create your own theme park in this interactive app. Children can pick from nearly 200 theme park adventures, like roller coasters, rides, and parades, then add in beloved Disney characters. A great feature about this app is there is an offline mode, so your child can play with his park even when there is no internet (perfect for car rides!) The app is free to download and play, but there are options to buy various items along the way. You can disable this feature in your phone's settings.
Inside Out Thought Bubbles
This game is a classic bubble shooter game with a twist. Based on the popular movie about feeling, Inside Out, this game challenges kids to match feelings bubbles to complete levels. The online game reviewer, Gamezebo, says this app is perfect for little kids, as it offers plenty of manageable levels that can be played over and over again. The reviewer notes that the difficulty increases around level 20 of the game, but kids will be entertained for hours before even reaching that far.
Disney Frozen Free Fall
This app has hundreds of "match 3" games to keep your child entertained for hours. They will need to continuously match three gems to unlock game boards, puzzles, and more. Better yet, your favorite Frozen characters, like Olaf and Elsa, play along with you. And the more games you conquer, the more characters you will unlock, like Hans, Sven, and Kristoff. Beating the puzzle levels will also earn your child magical coins that they can use to buy accessories for the kingdom. If you are an Apple user, a nice feature of this app is that you can sync your progress with your iCloud, so your child can continue his game across multiple devices.
12 Days Of Disney
This free app launches in mid-December and unlocks different Disney surprises every day. It may be discounts on paid Disney apps or exclusive access to free apps that aren't yet available to the general public. It's fun to log in each day to see what magical surprise awaits.
Sources: PopSugar, Children's Hospital of Los Angeles, Momtastic, Gamezebo