Dr. Panda Train
By Christy Matte,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
All aboard for silly but somewhat slow travel.
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Dr. Panda Train
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What’s It About?
DR. PANDA TRAIN, much like other Dr. Panda apps, is a semi-guided play experience. Kids have room to explore, but the game moves forward on a path regardless of their choices. In this case, kids load the train with passengers at the train station and then start the train moving at the speed of their choice with Dr. Panda as the conductor. They can blow the train whistle and tap on various objects and animals as the train whizzes by. Along the way, they may want to look inside the train and give their passenger(s) food, a cell phone, a newspaper, and other objects. There's even a hole-punch to punch the passenger's tickets. Every so often, the train comes across a station or a loading platform. Kids can add/deliver cargo and/or passengers. Sometimes, there's a character waiting for a specific passenger or item (i.e., a cow, or the number 5). If kids deliver it, they earn more items for their passengers to use.
Is It Any Good?
Little ones who love trains will delight in being able to "drive" their own, but the lag time between stations may be a bit too long for the target age. Those who are familiar with Dr. Panda will recognize the same creativity tinged with a silly quirkiness that their other apps provide. Dr. Panda Train passengers include cows, dogs, cats, raccoons, etc., all dressed appropriately for their commute, and kids are bound to find them funny. Though the travel time between stations lets kids distribute all sorts of stuff to the passengers, it would also be fun to include some other activities, like repairing the train, or interacting with the landscape in some way. Overall, though, train-lovers and little kids who might get overwhelmed by lots of activity will likely love this one.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about travel. What modes of transportation does your family use for travel? How is it like the train in Dr. Panda Train? How is it different? Do the trains near your house look like the train in the game?
Create a story with your kid as they play. Even if you can't sit next to them the whole time, ask them what's happening and why.
Talk to your kids about screen use and limits. How can kids enjoy digital media in balance with other activities?
App Details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
- Subjects: Math: numbers, patterns
- Skills: Tech Skills: using and applying technology
- Pricing structure: Paid
- Release date: June 29, 2017
- Category: Education
- Topics: Cats, Dogs, and Mice, Horses and Farm Animals, Trains, Wild Animals
- Publisher: Dr. Panda Ltd
- Version: 1.0
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 7.0 or later; Android 4.0 and up
- Last updated: July 6, 2017
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