Common Sense Media Review
By Dana Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Memorable games, photos foster understanding of life cycle.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
Plants HD
What's It About?
In Plants HD, kids tap on the icons ("plants and trees," "flowers," "germination," "pollination," "fruits," "seeds," "dispersal") and then learn about that subject through reading or looking at images related to the topic chosen. Fun facts ("It takes 50 leaves to create enough energy to make an apple.") help kids retain concepts, which they are later tested on in three levels of quizzes. Music can be turned off or on, and there's a "read along" option for beginning readers.
Is It Any Good?
The life cycle of plants comes to life on PLANTS HD in a way that is likely to make a more memorable impression on most kids learning about this topic than more traditional resources. The game in which kids have to place images of the cycle in order is particularly helpful, and the photos with fun facts are pretty and interesting. Kids can earn coins by answering questions correctly, and the quizzes are challenging but not frustratingly so. Kids don't need to be a botanist to enjoy this app, nor will they be one after finishing playing it. But what they're likely to get from this app is a better understanding of the plant life cycle, appreciation for the beauty of plants, and some fun facts to impress you with the next time you're in the park or garden exploring nature together.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Plants HD is text-heavy, so if your kid is still a growing reader, you may want to consider reading the information to him or her, or turning on the read-along option.
Get some seeds and help your child plant, water, and grow a plant.
App Details
- Device : iPad
- Subjects : Science : life cycle , plants
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : part-whole relationships
- Pricing structure : Paid
- Release date : February 4, 2012
- Genre : Education
- Topics : STEM
- Publisher : Sprout Labs
- Version : 2.0
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 4.3 or later
- Last updated : October 1, 2025
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