Kids Song Machine 2 - Around the World HD

Review

Common Sense Media says

International musical voyage more about sights than songs.
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.

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Quality
 
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Parents say

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Kids say

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What parents need to know

Parents need to know that KIDS SONG MACHINE 2 - AROUND THE WORLD HD will visually stimulate kids more than anything else. There are eight songs, some recognizable, sung in an English accent with lyrics kids can view on the screen. More engaging is the scenery with settings in India, Venice, Seville, China, the Alps, and more. It takes a few tries for kids to navigate from song to song with a wheel to spin on the title page and an exit button that needs to be pressed twice to get back to the title page. Also on the title page, two links not meant for kids: a mailbox that brings up a form email about the app you can send to friends and a "Kids Collection" button selling more apps from the publisher.

  • Ease of use3
    It may take a few tries for toddlers, but spinning the wheel on the attractive song machine is soon fun. When they hit a song icon, like an elephant, the machine yells "Go!" Getting back to the song machine requires hitting an exit button twice, though. This will take them a little longer to figure out. In the actual songs it's easy for kids to figure out what to press to make things happen. Tapping sheep in the mountains makes them jump and yell "baa!" Tapping windows along the Venice canals makes jesters appear and disappear.
  • Violence0
    Not applicable.
  • Sex0
    Cats on a gondola are in love, shown with popping hearts.
  • Language0
    Not applicable.
  • Consumerism3
    From the title page, there's a mailbox icon (attractive enough that kids may push it) that pops up an email template you can send to friends recommending the app. A "Kids Collection" button recommends other apps and provides easy links to iTunes for purchase.
  • Drinking, drugs, & smoking0
    Not applicable.
  • Privacy & safety0
    Not applicable.
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Is it any good?

 

The eight songs are fun, but it's the settings around the world featuring Indian elephants, amorous cats on a Venice gondola ride, kids bouncing around on a red double-decker bus or donning a giant dragon in a parade that will get little ones spinning the wheel on the stylish title page ready for another adventure. There are a few fun things to tap on each song page: Sheep jump in the mountains, giggling kids pop out of the Chinese dragon, and hearts erupt from the gondola kitties when nudged. Finding the interactive bits doesn't take long.

The only downside -- and it's a small one -- is that the songs on KIDS SONG MACHINE 2, except for "London Bridges," aren't more immediately recognizable. It keeps parents from following up this mild music lesson with singing around the house.

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This review was written by Carrie R. Wheadon

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This review was written by Carrie R. Wheadon
Topics:music and sing-along
Category:Education
Platforms:iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad
Price:$2.99
Size:52.90 MB
Publisher:Genera Kids
Version:1.2
Release date:December 7, 2011
Minimum software requirements:iOS 3.2 or later
This review was written by Carrie R. Wheadon

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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.
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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.
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