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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.
Learning ratings
Best: Really engaging, excellent learning approach.
Very Good: Engaging, very good learning approach.
Good: Pretty engaging, good learning approach.
Fair: Somewhat engaging, okay learning approach.
Not for Learning: Not recommended for learning.
Not for Kids: Not age-appropriate for kids; not recommended for learning.
Our child development rating guidelines

App reviews for self-direction

157 results
  • Review
    The Flying Alphabetinis -- A Fingerprint Network App

    Social game blends easy, hard words for kid and parent fun.
    AGE
    6
     
    Learning
    3
    Platforms: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    How to Make Origami

    Colorful, mostly clear, classic origami fun.
    AGE
    8
     
    Learning
    3
    Platforms: Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    Toca Hair Salon

    Easy, creative hairstyling for very young kids to tweens.
    AGE
    3
     
    Learning
    3
    Platforms: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    PicsArt - Photo Studio

    Top-notch photo app crams in functionality; some iffy stuff.
    AGE
    13
     
    Learning
    4
    Platforms: Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    Toca Hair Salon 2

    More tools, characters, and hair-styling fun in nice sequel.
    AGE
    3
     
    Learning
    3
    Platforms: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    Dinorama

    In this highly addicting simulation game, kids learn about real-word financial concepts as they build a dinosaur theme park. And unlike many simulation apps, Dinorama doesn't tempt kids with in-app purchases.
    AGE
    7
     
    Learning
    4
    Platforms: iPad
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    iStoryBooks

    Colorful, no-frills read-to-me originals and adaptations.
    AGE
    6
     
    Learning
    2
    Platforms: Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    The FREE Dictionary by Farlex

    Excellent reference with games, fun graphics, and more.
    AGE
    9
     
    Learning
    4
    Platforms: Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    Skitch

    Evernote add-on lets teens annotate and share images.
    AGE
    13
     
    Learning
    3
    Platforms: Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    Lists for Writers

    Simple, extensive tool keeps writer's block at bay.
    AGE
    9
     
    Learning
    3
    Platforms: Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    Grade 6 Vocab Audios and Pics

    Quirky cartoons and audio make learning words fun.
    AGE
    11
     
    Learning
    4
    Platforms: Android
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    Grade 7 Vocab Audios and Pics

    Fun cartoons and audio engage tweens studying new words.
    AGE
    12
     
    Learning
    4
    Platforms: Android
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    Ice Math Ninjas: ZERO

    Fruit Ninja-style app with number focus, cute backstory.
    AGE
    8
     
    Learning
    2
    Platforms: Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    Multiplication Genius

    No-frills times table app tests gently without distractions.
    AGE
    8
     
    Learning
    2
    Platforms: Android
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    Sky Map

    Excellent tool encourages appreciation of the universe.
    AGE
    10
     
    Learning
    4
    Platforms: Android
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    Historypin

    Sophisticated look back in time via geo-located images.
    AGE
    13
     
    Learning
    4
    Platforms: Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    lino - Sticky and Photo Sharing

    Colorful virtual bulletin board is busy but nearly seamless.
    AGE
    13
     
    Learning
    3
    Platforms: Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    Google Goggles

    Effective visual web search through your Android device.
    AGE
    13
     
    Learning
    3
    Platforms: Android
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    How to Draw - Easy Lessons

    Step-by-step help simple to follow, but app lacks polish.
    AGE
    9
     
    Learning
    2
    Platforms: Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    Evernote

    Organization tool helps kids manage their digital lives.
    AGE
    13
     
    Learning
    4
    Platforms: Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire, Nook HD
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    Stellarium Mobile Sky Map

    Mobile planetarium brings night sky up close, beautifully.
    AGE
    12
     
    Learning
    4
    Platforms: Android
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    Mobile Observatory

    Impressive tool for stargazing, learning about astronomy.
    AGE
    12
     
    Learning
    5
    Platforms: Android
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    Mental Math Free

    Solid times tables practice and some tricks.
    AGE
    12
     
    Learning
    2
    Platforms: Android
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    AB Math - fun game for kids and grownups

    Math practice app bubbles with brain-challenging fun.
    AGE
    7
     
    Learning
    3
    Platforms: Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire
    (App, 2013)
  • Review
    Remember The Milk

    Multiplatform task list app makes organization easy.
    AGE
    13
     
    Learning
    3
    Platforms: Android, iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch, Kindle Fire
    (App, 2013)