Parents' Guide to

Numberlys

By Chris Morris, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 4+

Charming story will spark imaginations as kids learn ABCs.

App iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad Entertainment
Numberlys Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this app.

  • Numberlys App: Screenshot #1
  • Numberlys App: Screenshot #2
  • Numberlys App: Screenshot #3

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What’s It About?

Set in a gray, dystopian world where only numbers exist, a quintet of friends decides to create the alphabet. Players assist them in a series of mini-games, such as touching lights on the screen, positioning the hands on a clock to form a letter, and shooting "number cannons" to break blocks into numbers. If the games prove too challenging, players can skip them without penalty.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

NUMBERLYS isn't good -- it's great. It's created by a former Pixar designer, and the story behind this imaginative telling of the creation of the alphabet is charming, funny, and beautiful. It's certain to capture a child's attention -- perhaps more so than any learning app on the market to date.

As much a story as a game, the app is fun for kids who enjoy playing games but easily doubles as a storybook, since all games/puzzles can be skipped without penalty. The characters are cute. The lessons are useful in real life. And the price, although high, is not unreasonable for the quality.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about alliteration. Encourage kids to come up with other words that start with each letter and make up silly sentences.

  • Play an alphabet game in the car, searching for specific letters of the alphabet in the environment -- on signs, license plates, and more.

App Details

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