Common Sense Media Review
By Mieke VanderBorght
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based on child development research. How do we rate?
Dollhouse's unique features help it stand out from crowd.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 4+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Lila's World:Create Play Learn
Privacy Rating Warning
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
Privacy Rating
Our expert evaluators create our privacy ratings. The ratings are designed to help you understand how apps use your data for commercial purposes.
Pass
Meets our minimum requirements for privacy and security practices.
Warning
Does not meet our recommendations for privacy and security practices.
Fail
Does not have a privacy policy and should not be used.
What's It About?
Play with LILA'S WORLD:CREATE PLAY LEARN starts at grandma's house where kids meet GanGan and are invited to look around and explore her house. Kids can tell stories as they move props, insert new characters into the scene, and go through doors to visit all the rooms in the house. When kids find a little paper icon, they can tap on it to discover a new "recipe" for interacting with props such as placing wood in the fireplace to start a fire or putting a strawberry in the blender to make a fruit smoothie. Kids earn a star for each completed activity and can review which ones they've done from a collections list. Go back to the map to choose and download a different scene, such as a school, airport, or grocery store. From the home menu, kids can also choose the draw option, which allows them to create their own scenes. Kids choose from some included background and prop options and take pictures of their own paper drawings.
Is It Any Good?
This virtual dollhouse offers some unique opportunities for interaction and creativity, even if some of the features don't always work all that well. Lila's World:Create Play Learn resembles many of the other, popular virtual dollhouse apps in that it has a variety of settings and characters to choose from, and tiny props to move around. Though the choices for settings, characters, and props aren't quite as extensive as they might be in other apps, Lila's World:Create Play Learn has a few features kids may find interesting. First, the play setting comes with a back-story, which may help inspire some kids as they use their imagination to continue the story. Second, there are some small opportunities for interaction such as planting seeds and watering them to see a strawberry plant grow, or following a simple recipe card to make strawberry jam. This adds an extra element to kids' pretend play and may be more exciting for some them than simply moving characters and props around. Finally, kids can create their own drawings on paper and include them in the virtual setting. This process is pretty finicky, so it may end up being more frustrating than satisfying. But, when it works, it's pretty cool to play with your own drawing. One major downside, however, is the pay model. It's not clear why Lila's World:Create Play Learn needs to be on a subscription rather than a one-time fee for download. Another is that more diverse representations would help more kids see themselves -- and their loved ones -- in the experience.That said, kids who particularly enjoy creating stories and engaging in pretend play may really enjoy this app.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the stories kids create with Lila's World:Create Play Learn. Ask about who the characters are, what they're thinking and doing, and what they might do next. Encourage your kids to narrate their stories out loud.
Talk about the differences between pretend play with a screen versus off screen. What can kids do with the app that they can't do when playing with dolls or figurines and vice versa?
Help kids make colorful drawings to include in their virtual play space. What kinds of props, characters, or settings do they want to add? What stories will they tell with these additions?
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad , Android
- Subjects : Language & Reading : following directions , storytelling
- Skills : Creativity : imagination , making new creations , producing new content , Emotional Development : empathy , perspective taking , Communication : multiple forms of expression , Tech Skills : digital creation
- Pricing structure : Free to try (7-day free trial, then $4.99/month or $49.99/year)
- Release date : August 12, 2021
- Genre : Education
- Publisher : Photon Tadpole Studios
- Version : 1.09
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 13.0 or later; Android 6.0 and up
- Last updated : August 23, 2021
Did we miss something on diversity?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
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