Zigazoo
Common Sense says
- iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
- Free
- Education
Parents say
Kids say
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A lot or a little?
The parents' guide to what's in this app.
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that Zigazoo is a TikTok-style video sharing app for posting short videos of kids completing a variety of kid-appropriate challenges. The terms of service (but not the app description) make it clear that Zigazoo is meant to be used with a parent, and personal data is treated as though it's from those over 13. Users sign in using a Google, Facebook, or Apple account. Challenges are simple investigative or creative projects like "Can you find something that's symmetrical?" or "Can you teach us how to play your favorite sport or physical activity?" Project ideas also come from third party creators such as the zoos, children's museums, and kid-friendly web content creators. Users can subscribe to these in app third party channels, or to Zigazoo-created topic themes, to get updates when new content is added. After creating a video, users can choose whether the video will be private or public. According to the developer's website, videos go public after passing through human moderation. Read the developer's privacy policy for details on how your (or your kids') information is collected, used, and shared and any choices you may have in the matter, and note that privacy policies and terms of service frequently change.
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User Reviews
- Parents say
- Kids say
Super fun! I wish I was a kid again!
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What's it about?
Sign up for ZIGAZOO using a Google, Facebook, or Apple account, and then create a username and choose what grade level of activities interest you. Activities focus on straightforward challenges that ask kids to investigate or create something and then share what they've done with videos up to 30 seconds long. The Home tab automatically generates user-submitted videos; tap the heart to like the video or swipe up to advance to the next one. The Projects tab shows daily featured projects like make-your-own hopscotch design and other projects organized by topic (science, literacy, arts & music, math, social studies, social and emotional, physical education, and challenges). Subscribe to a third party channel or a topic theme to notified when new content is added. Tap on a particular project to watch videos of others completing the challenge. Tap on the record icon to record your own video. After recording, a toggle allows kids to choose whether to keep their video private or share it with the Zigazoo community.
Is it any good?
These fun challenges are a great way to get kids thinking and trying new things, but parents should be aware that they need to actively facilitate. Zigazoo does a nice job of inspiring kids to get involved in off-screen projects. Ideas are varied and range from arts (illustrate a song) to math (make fractions out of food) to social studies (what rights should all kids have?). Parents could easily use these ideas to challenge kids and keep them busy thinking critically and investigating their world -- and stop there. Or, it could be fun to browse videos and see what other kids have come up with, though the endless feed can feel overwhelming. If parents or kids want to post their own videos, they should know that there are no overall privacy options to set and forget. Users decide for each video if they want to keep it private or make it public. Overall, Zigazoo can be a fun social experience that has great potential for stimulating kids, but how well it becomes a catalyst for active exploration depends on what kids -- and their parents -- do with it.
Talk to your kids about ...
Families can talk about Zigazoo's projects. Browse the project ideas and let your kids take the lead in choosing which ones interest them. Ask them questions about how they'll complete the project and help them think through bigger connections.
Discuss your family's rules for privacy and social networks. Talk about when it's OK to share information and what kind of information should be kept private.
Browse through videos to find other fun or interesting ways other kids have come up with to solve the challenge.
App details
- Devices: iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad, Android
- Subjects: Language & Reading: presenting to others
Math: counting, measurement, money
Science: ecosystems and the environment
Social Studies: citizenship, global awareness
Arts: drawing
Hobbies: building - Skills: Creativity: making new creations, producing new content
Self-Direction: achieving goals
Communication: presenting
Tech Skills: social media - Price: Free
- Pricing structure: Free
- Release date: September 10, 2020
- Category: Education
- Topics: Science and Nature
- Size: 35.70 MB
- Publisher: Zigazoo
- Version: 4.1.0
- Minimum software requirements: iOS 11.4 or later; Android 5.0 and up
- Last updated: September 18, 2020
Our editors recommend
For kids who love creativity and safe chat
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.