Common Sense Media Review
By Christy Matte
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Find tricky hidden items, be a helper in cute, shallow play.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 5+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Little Fire Station - Fire Engine & Firefighters
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
LITTLE FIRE STATION - FIRE ENGINE & FIREFIGHTERS is part simulation and part seek-and-find. Kids spend most of their time visiting the firehouse where the firefighters have a seemingly endless stream of requests for missing objects, from tools to clothing to stuffed animals. Some are in plain sight, while others appear in cabinets and lockers. But while they're searching, the alarm may sound, signaling a person in need. Kids can then tap on each of the firefighters to let them know it's time to go. Once they get to the scene, kids can help by doing things like raising the ladder to reach a stranded kitten or touching the firehouse to put out a fire.
Is It Any Good?
True firefighter fans may miss having more fire-related activities, but this cute app is entertaining and silly. Little Fire Station - Fire Engine & Firefighters isn't terribly realistic -- hopefully you won't find a stuffed animal in your local firehouse's oven -- but it has just enough realism to make it work for little ones. Don't let the cuteness fool you, though, because some of the objects are tricky to find. There are a lot of cabinets to search though and five rooms. Young kids will likely get frustrated and/or need help now and again. In a sneaky move, the link to the in-app purchase area is "hidden" within the firehouse, too. There's enough pressure to buy without maneuvers like that. But, if you can ignore a few drawbacks, this is certainly a fun diversion for kids who love trucks, firefighters, and seek-and-find games.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about being a firefighter and how it might be the same as and different from Little Fire Station - Fire Engine & Firefighters. Who can become a firefighter? What kinds of skills do they need to have? What do they do other than fight fires? What other "helpers" are around your community?
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
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : solving puzzles
- Pricing structure : Free to try, Paid (both versions of the app contain in-app purchases for access to additional rooms/scenes)
- Release date : May 23, 2017
- Genre : Education
- Topics : Transportation ( Cars & Trucks ) , Adventures , Animals
- Publisher : Fox & Sheep
- Version : 1.1
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 8.0 or later; Android 4.3 and up
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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