
Are you looking for a digital activity book app for kids 6-10+? Timbuktu has an exceptional offering for your tablet, full of thoughtful, polished content that has been beautifully designed and curated for elementary school aged children. Educational, easy to navigate and most importantly, fun for kids. Timbuktu sets the standard high for a digital children's magazine worthy of the 21st century young reader.
The set up for this app is simple, letting kids use the free version for a single issue that is packed with a ton of content. Watch also for special sales on the in-app purchases for single issues & subscriptions. The app does contain links to the appstore, email & the web, but most are tucked away in a parent's section. This publication has sound effects and very light animation but no narration, perfect for fluent readers. The activities engage skills from early literacy and reading comprehension to detailed lessons on science and math. All of the content is engaging in a way that will leave kids eager for the next issue.
The only downside, beyond the subscription cost (well worth it for heavy users of the app), would be that most content does need to be downloaded in real-time on wifi the first time you open the sections within each issue. So this is not the perfect app for your next roadtrip, unless you set it up in advance. Then Timbuktu can be the perfect answer to, "Mom, I'm bored!" and an easy way to keep 'summer brain drain' at bay.
Highly recommended!
This app has been thoroughly evaluated by our staff. Please click on the 'star ratings' tab above, to see how it fared in all nine of our rating categories. See synopsis tab for more details about the storyline.
All reviews are of the app, not the platform/device. Based originally on iPad versions. Minor technical details may vary.
Author/Illustrator:
Timbuktu
Developer:
Timbuktu Labs, Inc.
Length (time):
20 - 30 Minutes
Based on non-digital book: No
Allows Own Narration:
No
Uses Motion: No
Age: 6 - 10 +
Languages:
English •
Length (pages):
30 Pages
From iTunes: Timbuktu is the first iPad magazine for children. With 12 issues per year, your kids' passion and joy about learning will grow exponentially. All the stories, games and activities on Timbuktu are based on the Reggio Emilia Approach and designed to help children meet the Common Core State Standards while respecting their personal way of learning. Parents and teachers love Timbuktu because of its whimsical, innovative, and respectful approach to education. Timbuktu is optimized to be used by children 6 to 10 years old. Younger kids can use it with the help of a grown-up.
Orientation: Portrait
Format: iPad
Options:
Read Myself, Past Issues, Favorites, Parent Section, Links to: AppStore, Email, Web
App Release Date:
2011-04-01
Size: 18.86 MB
Version: 4.0
Lite Version Available: No