Harry Potter: Spells

Review

Common Sense Media says

Puts the power of magic in your kids' hands.
greenON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
yellowPAUSE: Know your child; some content
may not be right for some kids.
redOFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
not for kidsNOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age.

Find out more

Quality
 
Sometimes media can be age appropriate but a real waste of time. Our star rating assesses the media's overall quality.

Find out more

Parents say

Not yet rated

Kids say

AGE
7
QUALITY
 

What parents need to know

Parents need to know that Harry Potter: Spells will transform your mobile device into a magic wand and that your kids will be dueling alone, with the cat, with each other, and casting spells all over the house. Also note that additional spells are available as an in-app purchase for $.99.

  • Ease of use4
    Tutorials and an incantation chart do a good job of teaching muggles. To cast a spell you simply hold your device flat in the hand and place a thumb on the screen while making a motion in the air. For instance, expelliarmus, which disarms your opponent, requires moving the phone to the right then pulling it in.
  • Violence0
    Not applicable.
  • Sex0
    Not applicable.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism2
    A single link in the app launches a Warner Bros. page with more iPhone games and TV, movie, and DVD selections. Players can also purchase additional spells; packs cost $.99.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
  • Privacy & safety4
    Minor privacy concerns. Kids can choose to post their results on their Facebook pages or to a leaderboard.
CloseExpand to see more details

Is it any good?

 

There are less expensive magic wand apps but none that offer as much authentic Harry Potter atmosphere as this one from the movie studio. The music, graphics and clipped English voice welcoming you to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry set the properly magical mood before you must delve into the serious business of learning your incantations and how to wave your device. Older teens might not be enchanted, but true Potter fans will have fun pretending, especially if there's a similarly equipped friend they can invite over for a duel.

Sign Up Message
Sign up for our weekly newsletter
Each week we send a customized newsletter to our parent and teen subscribers. Parents can customize their settings to receive recommendations and parent tips based on their kids’ ages. Teens receive a version just for them with the latest reviews and top picks for movies, video games, apps, music, books, and more.
Please enter an email address.
Please check your email address for possible typos.
Sorry, you must be 13 or older to subscribe to our weekly newsletter.
Sign me up!
This review was written by Carla Thornton
Teen, 14 years old
June 30, 2010
AGE
11
 
About ages 11+
I really enjoyed this app on my iPod Touch. Considering not too many children have phones under the age of 11, I would rate this 11+. This game is a fun way to bring the user into the Harry Potter world, by making wnad movements just like the characters, and complete your wizard traing in less than 7 years. This app includes real spells used in the books and films, so Potter fans will not be dissapointed. However, there is a way to interact with other players worldwide, but is not possible without a wi-fi signal. Other than that, anyone will have a good time playing this.
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (7) | Had useful details (7) | Read my mind (6)
Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 12 years old
May 27, 2011
AGE
7
 
Harry Pooper
Easy most of the time just cheesy but somewhat entertaning
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (5) | Had useful details (6) | Read my mind (5)
Flag as inappropriate 
Teen, 14 years old
July 21, 2011
AGE
7
 
Nearly flawless, completely fun.
It's violent, because you can buy the Killing Curse, the Cruciatus Curse, and the Imperius Curse (the three Unforgivable Curses--may be found as very violent), and the spells Serpensortia, Morsmordre, and Sectumsempra can also be violent and scary to kids.
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (5) | Had useful details (5) | Read my mind (5)
Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 12 years old
October 1, 2010
AGE
8
 
Love it!
This app is great for learning your Harry Potter spells but I've had one problem with it. When we downloaded it to my father's iphone,and played with it, it wouldn't show us all the spells for learning. I still like it though, one time my sister and I dueled against each other with her itouch! It was reallly fun!
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide (5) | Had useful details (5) | Read my mind (5)
Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 11 years old
May 21, 2012
AGE
4
 
Learning1
Great
This app was great for my 11 year old and 4 year old. My husband and daughter often played together. The themes were positive but the idea of hurting others was questionable.
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
Flag as inappropriate 
Kid, 11 years old
January 28, 2012
AGE
5
 
Great App For Potter Fans
This is a great app. If your kids are old enough to watch/read the first HP movie, than they are old enough for this app. I did buy the full version because the free one only has like 3 spells, so it's a waste of space. You can also duel with the computer or a nearby friend, get sorted into your house, and even get your own wand. Great app for Potter fans. The only downside is that some of the spells are quite scary, but all you can really see is a bolt of couloured lightning shoot out of your wand.
Was this review useful?
Helped me decide | Had useful details | Read my mind
Flag as inappropriate 
See all user reviews
This review was written by Carla Thornton
Topics:magic and fantasy
Category:Family Games
Platforms:iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
Price:$0.99
Publisher:Warner Bros. Entertainment
Version:1.6
Release date:November 4, 2010
Minimum software requirements:iOS 3.1 or later
This review was written by Carla Thornton

Contact us to give us more feedback on our learning ratings.

 

Review It

Share your review with others

Hang on! You need to be a member to post your review.
A safe community is important to us. Please observe our guidelines.

Screenshots

  • 1 of 3
  • 2 of 3
  • 3 of 3

Tell us what you think about our new Learning Ratings. We value your feedback.

About our rating system
ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age.
PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids.
OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age.
Learning ratings
BEST: Really engaging, great learning approach.
GOOD: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
FAIR: Somewhat engaging, OK learning approach.
NOT FOR LEARNING: Not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

Great alternatives handpicked by our editors

For kids who love
Browse more apps
 

vote now

Will you download Harry Potter: Spells?

Absolutely
Maybe
No way

Already downloaded it? What do you think?

I recommend it
It's a pass
 
More from Common Sense Media
Age-appropriate reviews
Top advice and articles

Been There? Tell us about it