Parents' Guide to GoGoGames! Audio Adventures

These high-energy, exciting interactive stories are a fun, unique way to engage kids and tap in to their imagination. The production quality on the stories is great, as are all the silly bits and pieces scattered throughout the app (got to love that kids need to agree to the "Totally Normal Terms & Conditions" that state users may "transform into a character in a real life story" among other things). The storylines are creative, and there's a nice variety from adventures to mysteries, silly challenges, trips around the world, and more. Interaction comes in the form of instructions throughout the story. Sometimes it's sit in the bathtub and pretend your riding a gondola in Venice. Other times it's follow the General's orders and pull up your covers to make your bed. And it's particularly those interactive pieces that make GoGoGames! Audio Adventures different -- and a great alternative to passive screen time.

That said, because the app really just consists of simple audio tracks, there's nothing stopping kids from parking themselves on the couch and listening to the story without following any of the instructions. There are also some parts of the app that don't totally make sense. For example, choosing one player or three players doesn't change a thing for most of the stories. And there are only the most basic audio controls in each story. Finally, it's important to note that all stories seem to be really high energy, with loud, fast-paced music, and really excited narrators. Kids who need something more low key might be overwhelmed and overstimulated with these stories. Overall, GoGoGames! Audio Adventures has potential for a creative way to engage active kids.