Vacation time for your young ones can be pretty fun. You can spend extra quality time with them, but you can also be slowly driven to distraction by trying to figure out ways to keep them busy. Boredom is easy to come by when you’re young, after all. We’ve rounded up 10 apps that should go some way to distracting your little and not so little ones.
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1. Toca Blocks ($2.99) - All the Toca Boca apps are pretty great for young iOS users with the latest, Toca Blocks, standing out most noticeably. The app has vague similarities to Minecraft, encouraging you to build your own worlds and explore them. It's simpler than that though, meaning it's ideal for imaginative youngsters. Each block offers a different characteristic meaning there's plenty of variety.
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2. Doctor Who: Comic Creator (Free) - Everyone loves comic books, right? And odds are you probably love Doctor Who, too. This app gives you the chance to create your own comic book, before reading through the results. Simply slot in various elements such as monsters, backgrounds, props, sounds, and, of course, the Doctor himself. It's like a 21st century version of a sticker book.
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3. Disney Build It: Frozen ($3.99) - Frozen continues to be a hugely successful phenomenon so it's likely that your kids continue to be obsessed with Elsa, Sven, Ana and the rest of the gang. This app allows them to build various scenes from the movie, piecing together buildings, as well as making a themed snow globe. Unlike other building games, there's no sign of any free-to-play elements, although there are some extra packs that can be purchased.
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4. Egg Dyeing 101 ($0.99) - Egg dyeing is a popular tradition for many households at Easter. This app teaches you all the basics on how to get started, along with offering some detailed dyeing formulas. Besides written instructions, each egg is accompanied by videos demonstrating how to get the best results. It's great for the craft-loving side of your family.
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5. MSQRD (Free) - Ideal for a mindless distraction, MSQRD embraces the face swapping trend. Besides allowing you to create many selfie videos, you can use it to swap people's faces, which is where the fun really starts. On a day trip with your kids and they're getting a little bored? This is an ideal way to break up a monotonous journey, or take five minutes out at a local coffee place.
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6. Hopscotch (Free) - Both educational and a lot of fun, Hopscotch provides children with the means to make their own games, before playing them instantly through the same app. There's a surprising amount of depth here, meaning they should be enthralled for a while to come. Numerous videos teach them the basics, plus a series of challenges puts them through the paces.
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7. Caribu (Free) - Not everyone can spend physical time with their kids, due to work commitments and other reasons. Caribu means you don't have to worry about missing that all important story time. The app is part video calling app, part story book for you to read alongside your child, no matter where you are in the world. A virtual finger pointer means you can always guide them to the next line, further personalizing the experience.
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8. Mad Libs (Free) - Young and old should appreciate the traditional joy of Mad Libs. This app version offers 21 free stories with in-app purchases offering even more. You can easily use swipe gestures to create stories, with a hints system helping things further. You can choose to play the game alone or with friends and family, with sharing options also available.
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9. Easy Stop-motion Studio ($3.99) - Constructing stop motion animations is a lot of fun, and also a great starting place for future animators. Easy Stop-motion Studio does exactly what its name suggests. You can choose from dozens of shapes, colors, and templates to make your own movies, before adding a soundtrack, and sharing it with others. It's cute and a fun distraction, but it could have great consequences for the future.
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10. Zen Studio: Finger painting (Free) - Finger painting is always a big hit with kids, but it's messy work. Zen Studio gives them all the fun of painting with their fingers without you having to worry about clean up duty. It's intuitive and simple to learn, with dozens of free tutorials to back things up. Kids can simply let loose as they experiment with the variety of different colors and options.