Common Sense Media Review
By Dana Anderson
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Varied, fun journey through U.S. geography and history.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 8+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Download
Videos and Photos
USA for Kids - games for discovering America and the US states and their capitals
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's It About?
On the main screen, kids choose from eight activity icons. These include puzzles based on presidential faces and trivia; a find-the-differences game featuring common American animal species; a sports matching game; videos; historic sites; and more. Four activities are free (musical instruments, U.S. sports, animals, and presidents). Three are "free to try" (videos, locate the site, and locate state capitals), and the full U.S. states puzzle is $0.99. Or you can buy full access for $2.99. Once kids tap an icon, they read or listen to the basic-instructions screen for that activity, tap again, and then play or watch the video.
Is It Any Good?
There's something to spark almost every kid's interest in America on USA FOR KIDS - GAMES FOR DISCOVERING AMERICA AND THE US STATES AND THEIR CAPITALS. This app includes the usual American presidents information and state and capitals activities, but it also provides games that feature American musical instruments, sports, and animals natural to American habitats (such as bald eagles, alligators, and bison).
Since USA for Kids includes voice narration for instructions and some content, this can be a good choice for younger kids just beginning to learn about U.S. geography, history, and culture. But with a target age of 4 and up, it's bothersome that this developer intertwines free with free-to-try and paid content. This mingling can be frustrating and disappointing for kids as they try to play but are limited in certain areas -- and irritating for parents who weren't planning on making in-app purchases for full access. Still, if you're looking for a good starter U.S. geography, history, and culture app and are willing to pay for full access, USA for Kids is a solid choice.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
If your kid has a particular interest in sports or music, guide them to those subject-related games for an engaging entry point.
Talk about what makes your state unique and about some other states you and your kid may like to visit someday.
App Details
- Devices : iPhone , iPod Touch , iPad
- Subjects : Science : animals , Social Studies : cultural understanding , geography , historical figures
- Skills : Thinking & Reasoning : memorization
- Pricing structure : Free to try, Paid, Free
- Release date : June 28, 2013
- Genre : Educational Games
- Publisher : LA FACTORIA D'IMATGES
- Version : 1.2
- Minimum software requirements : iOS 5.0 or later
- Last updated : December 10, 2020
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