Click here to play episode. Apps for Kids is Boing Boing's podcast about cool smartphone apps for kids and parents. My co-host is my 9-year-old daughter, Jane Frauenfelder.

In this episode of Apps for Kids, we talk about Chip Chain, a fun spin on the match-3 genre. We also talk about the Magic Treehouse series of books.

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and me try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

Listen to past episodes of Apps for Kids here.

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Click here to play episode. Apps for Kids is Boing Boing's podcast about cool smartphone apps for kids and parents. My co-host is my 9-year-old daughter, Jane Frauenfelder.

In this episode of Apps for Kids, we talk about The Big Big Castle!, a game where you build and destroy castles. It's 99 cents in the iTune store.

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and me try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

Listen to past episodes of Apps for Kids here.

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Holiday travel for parents

Click here to play episode. Apps for Kids is Boing Boing's podcast about cool smartphone apps for kids and parents. My co-host is my 9-year-old daughter, Jane Frauenfelder.

In this episode of Apps for Kids, we talk about an online makers' club app for iOS called DIY.org. It's free in the iTune store.

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and me try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

Listen to past episodes of Apps for Kids here.

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In this week's episode Jane and I talk about Space Holiday, a "line-drawing puzzle where you link stars to create constellations and open the star portal while avoiding the asteroids."

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and me try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

Listen to past episodes of Apps for Kids here.

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In this week's episode Jane and I talk about iHideAndSeek. You play the game by hiding your iPhone somewhere in a room and having your friends try to find it by listening to the sounds the phone makes every once in a while. It's 99-cents in the iTunes store (I said it was free in the podcast, but I was mistaken).

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and me try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

Listen to past episodes of Apps for Kids here.

To get a weekly email to notify you when a new episode of Apps for Kids is up, sign up here.

Click here to play episode. Apps for Kids is Boing Boing's podcast about cool smartphone apps for kids and parents. My co-host is my 9-year-old daughter, Jane Frauenfelder.

In this week's episode Jane and I talk about Yodel-Oh!, a target tapper game where you have to keep a Swiss mountain climber from falling off the edge of a cliff. It's $0.99 in the iTunes store (Yodel-Oh! for iPad, Yodel-Oh!™ for iPhone).

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and me try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

Listen to past episodes of Apps for Kids here.

To get a weekly email to notify you when a new episode of Apps for Kids is up, sign up here.

In this week's episode Jane and I talk about Subway Surfers, an endless runner game where you get caught painting graffiti on a train car and have to run away from the police. It's free in the iTunes store.

In our listener email segment, we learned about an avatar making app called Funky Bunny Avatar. Here's Jane's avatar (right). If you would like to have us read your favorite game or gadget recommendation on the air, or if you have a question you'd like us to answer on the show, email us at appsforkids@boingboing.net. Include your age, and the city, state, and country you live in.

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and me try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

Listen to past episodes of Apps for Kids here.

To get a weekly email to notify you when a new episode of Apps for Kids is up, sign up here.

Click here to play episode. Apps for Kids is Boing Boing's podcast about cool smartphone apps for kids and parents. My co-host is my 9-year-old daughter, Jane Frauenfelder.

In this week's episode Jane and I talk about Flow Free, a game where you try to connect pairs of colored dots without crossing any lines you've already drawn. It's free in the iTunes store.

Don't forget to be part of our "Listener Email" segment. If you would like to have us read your favorite game or gadget recommendation on the air, or if you have a question you'd like us to answer on the show, email us at appsforkids@boingboing.net. Include your age, and the city, state, and country you live in.

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and me try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

Listen to past episodes of Apps for Kids here.

To get a weekly email to notify you when a new episode of Apps for Kids is up, sign up here.

Click here to play episode. Apps for Kids is Boing Boing's podcast about cool smartphone apps for kids and parents. My co-host is my 9-year-old daughter, Jane Frauenfelder.

In this week's episode Jane and I talk about Cargo-Bot, a game where you program a robotic crane to move and sort colored wooden carts from one place to another. It's free in the iTunes store.

Don't forget to be part of our "Listener Email" segment. If you would like to have us read your favorite game or gadget recommendation on the air, or if you have a question you'd like us to answer on the show, email us at appsforkids@boingboing.net. Include your age, and the city, state, and country you live in.

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and me try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

Listen to past episodes of Apps for Kids here.

To get a weekly email to notify you when a new episode of Apps for Kids is up, sign up here.

Click here to play episode. Apps for Kids is Boing Boing's podcast about cool smartphone apps for kids and parents. My co-host is my 9-year-old daughter, Jane Frauenfelder.

In this week's episode Jane and I talk about Mobbles, a game where you capture and take care of little monsters that live in your neighborhood. It's free in the iTunes store and on Android.

We also talk about a fun voice changing app called Crazy Squirrel.

Don't forget to be part of our "Listener Email" segment. If you would like to have us read your favorite game or gadget recommendation on the air, or if you have a question you'd like us to answer on the show, email us at appsforkids@boingboing.net. Include your age, and the city, state, and country you live in.

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and me try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

Listen to past episodes of Apps for Kids here.

To get a weekly email to notify you when a new episode of Apps for Kids is up, sign up here.

Click here to play episode. Apps for Kids is Boing Boing's podcast about cool smartphone apps for kids and parents. My co-host is my 9-year-old daughter, Jane Frauenfelder.

In this week's episode Jane's older sister Sarina tells us about Geared, a puzzle game where you have to connect gears together. It's free in the iTunes Store.

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and me try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

Listen to past episodes of Apps for Kids here.

To get a weekly email to notify you when a new episode of Apps for Kids is up, sign up here.

Click here to play episode. Apps for Kids is Boing Boing's podcast about cool smartphone apps for kids and parents. My co-host is my 9-year-old daughter, Jane Frauenfelder.

In this week's episode we talk about Junk Jack, a sandbox game that's a lot like a 2D version of Minecraft. It's $2.99 in the iTunes Store.

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and me try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

Listen to past episodes of Apps for Kids here.

To get a weekly email to notify you when a new episode of Apps for Kids is up, sign up here.

In this week's episode we talk about Madcoaster, an endless runner game where you try to survive for as long as possible on a roller coaster. It's 99 cents in the iTunes store.

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and me try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

Listen to past episodes of Apps for Kids here.

To get a weekly email to notify you when a new episode of Apps for Kids is up, sign up here.

In this week's episode Jane and I talk about 8bit Ninja, a game where you have to dodge giant bouncing fruit that has invaded your dojo. It's free in the iTunes store.

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and me try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

Listen to past episodes of Apps for Kids here.

To get a weekly email to notify you when a new episode of Apps for Kids is up, sign up here.

Apps for Kids is Boing Boing's podcast about cool smartphone apps for kids and parents. My co-host is my 9-year-old daughter, Jane Frauenfelder.

In this week's episode Jane and I talk about Cordy Sky, a game where you have to help Cordy re-fuel his rocket ship after it crash lands on a planet.

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and me try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

Listen to past episodes of Apps for Kids here.

To get a weekly email to notify you when a new episode of Apps for Kids is up, sign up here.

Apps for Kids is Boing Boing's podcast about cool smartphone apps for kids and parents. My co-host is my 9-year-old daughter, Jane Frauenfelder.

In this week's episode Jane and I talk about Got Cow?, a game where you have to save innocent cows from alien abductors. It's 99 cents in the iTunes store.

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and me try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

Listen to past episodes of Apps for Kids here.

To get a weekly email to notify you when a new episode of Apps for Kids is up, sign up here.

Apps for Kids is Boing Boing's podcast about cool smartphone apps for kids and parents. My co-host is my 9-year-old daughter, Jane Frauenfelder.

In this week's episode Jane and I talk about Where's My Water?, a game where you have to help an alligator take a shower. It's 99 cents in the iTunes store and the Android Market.

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and me try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

Listen to past episodes of Apps for Kids here.

To get a weekly email to notify you when a new episode of Apps for Kids is up, sign up here.

Apps for Kids is Boing Boing's podcast about cool smartphone apps for kids and parents. My co-host is my 9-year-old daughter, Jane Frauenfelder.

In this week's episode Jane and I talk about an interactive storybook app for iOS called, Plug and the Paddywhacks. We also mentioned that we reviewed Toca Kitchen in Apps for Kids 004.

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and me try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

Read about past episodes of Apps for Kids here.

To get a weekly email to notify you when a new episode of Apps for Kids is up, sign up here.

Apps for Kids is Boing Boing's podcast about cool smartphone apps for kids and parents. My co-host is my 9-year-old daughter, Jane Frauenfelder.

In this week's episode Jane and I talk about the engineering construction simulation game, Simple Physics. We also discuss "endless runner" games in our "Listener Email" segment. If you would like to have us read your favorite game or gadget recommendation on the air, or if you have a question you'd like us to answer on the show, email us at appsforkids@boingboing.net. Include your age, and the city, state, and country you live in.

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and me try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

Read about past episodes of Apps for Kids here.

To get a weekly email to notify you when a new episode of Apps for Kids is up, sign up here.

Apps for Kids is Boing Boing's podcast about cool smartphone apps for kids and parents. My co-host is my 8-year-old daughter, Jane Frauenfelder.

In this week's episode Jane and I talk about Combin3, a visual matching game that pits kids equally against grownups. It's free in the iTunes store.

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and me try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net. If you are a listener and would like to have us read your game or gadget recommendation on the air, email us at appsforkids@boingboing.net

To get a weekly email to notify you when a new episode of Apps for Kids is up, sign up here.

Apps for Kids is Boing Boing's podcast about cool smartphone apps for kids and parents. My co-host is my 8-year-old daughter, Jane Frauenfelder.

In this week's episode Jane and I talk about Match Panic, a game where you have to tap on the left side or right side of the screen to match the characters flying down the display. It's $1.99 in the iTunes store.

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and me try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

To get a weekly email to notify you when a new episode of Apps for Kids is up, sign up here.

Apps for Kids is Boing Boing's podcast about cool smartphone apps for kids and parents. My co-host is my 8-year-old daughter, Jane Frauenfelder.

In this week's episode Jane and I talk about Tiny Tower, a simulation game where you earn money by opening businesses in a skyscraper and build the tower one floor at a time. It's free in the iTunes store.

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and I try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

To get a weekly email to notify you when a new episode of Apps for Kids is up, sign up here.

Apps for Kids is Boing Boing's podcast about cool smartphone apps for kids and parents. My co-host is my 8-year-old daughter, Jane Frauenfelder.

In this week's episode Jane and I talk about Bag It, a puzzle game where you are challenged to bag grocery items without damaging them. Bag It! is 2.99 in the iTunes store and $1.99 in the Android Market. It's also available for $2.99 as a Barnes & Noble Nook app.

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and I try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

To get a weekly email to notify you when a new episode of Apps for Kids is up, sign up here.

The Mutant Season: Mark and Jane Frauenfelder of Boing Boing

Apps for Kids is Boing Boing's podcast about cool smartphone apps for kids and parents. My co-host is my 8-year-old daughter, Jane Frauenfelder.

In this week's episode In Jane and I talk about two games. One is called Windosill and the other one is called Feed the Head. Both are made by Vectorpark, and are available both as desktop games and on the iPad. Feed the Head is available in an iPhone version as well.

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and I try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

To get a weekly email to notify you when a new episode of Apps for Kids is up, sign up here.

With developers pumping out an estimated 2,000 applications daily for use on smart-phones and tablets, reviewers and web-critics are keeping busy sorting out what’s worth downloading, and what’s worth squat.

While some app-surfers could be overwhelmed by the chaos of the digital marketplace, Mark Frauenfelder saw a job opportunity for his adorable 8-year old-daughter, Jane. Together, they co-host Apps for kids, an app-review podcast for both kids and parents. Mark is the founder of Boing Boing, where you can hear the podcast.

Daughter...Yeah, There's an App for That

Apps for Kids is Boing Boing's podcast about cool smartphone apps for kids and parents. My co-host is my 8-year-old daughter, Jane Frauenfelder.

In this week's episode we have a special guest. He's Jane's friend and his name is Ronan Park. He's going to tell us about a terrific endless runner game for the iPhone and iPad called Jetpack Joyride. It's free in the iTunes store.

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and I try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

To get a weekly email to notify you when a new episode of Apps for Kids is up, sign up here.

Apps for Kids is Boing Boing's podcast about cool smartphone apps for kids and parents. My co-host is my 8-year-old daughter, Jane Frauenfelder. In episode 008, we review game called Mad Chef. It's 99 cents iPhone and iPad in the iTunes store.

[Video Link] Here's a video of me playing Mad Chef.

If you're an app developer and would like to have Jane and I try one of your apps for possible review, email a redeem code to appsforkids@boingboing.net.

To get a weekly email to notify you when a new episode of Apps for Kids is up, sign up here.

Last summer I read about Nathan's Kid's Counting Box (above) on Boing Boing and MAKE at about the same time I was teaching myself how to create iPhone apps. I'd bought myself a Mac for Father's Day a few months before and I had a bunch of ideas for little apps and was trying to decide which to start when I read about the electronic counting box.

There was something completely captivating about a beautifully crafted wooden box that uses a bright electronic display for such a simple and pure purpose as adding or subtracting one number to another. That being said, I think I would have ignored the Counting Box article if not for the impressive looking craftsmanship. It would never have caught my attention if it was just an LED display in a plastic project box, but the wood surface with the rounded joints just captured my imagination.

I was one of those kids that loved to press the equal sign on the calculator over and over, watching the total slowly grow larger. My own 4-year-old son is the same way. As much as I loved the idea of making a Counting Box of my own I knew that my electronic and woodshop skills really weren't up to par for such an ambitious project.

I showed the box to my son and he said it looked "cool" and that put the gears in motion. I pieced together a simple little app in about 10 minutes that would add 1 or subtract 1 from a total and handed the iPhone to my son. He immediately grasped the concept and began hitting the green button like crazy, being fascinated whenever the leading digit changed. He was still playing and asking questions about the numbers 20 minutes later, so I figured it was something worth pursuing.

It was a neat little app, but it didn't have the same feel of wonder as a real wood Counting Box that you can hold in your hand. So I started working on the graphics. I originally tried a brushed steel background, but it looked like a weird alien calculator. I went back to the wood box theme.

Software is obviously different from tangible objects. There are limitations and advantages to each. I found that that a little turn dial doesn't work very well on a flat glass iPhone screen. Buttons work, dials don't.

Instead, I created a second window that shows the increment/decrement number and control that with arrow buttons. This also allows me to go beyond adding up single digits. Yes, it goes to 11. In fact, you can change the increment amount up to 100! If my son wants to add or subtract by 20 each time then he can. I also added a Zero button and have an option to allow negative numbers. Because it was all software it proved to be much easier (or so I imagine) than wiring up different circuits for minor function changes. When I saw my son getting bored pressing the increment buttons up to 100 I created a keystroke repeat which would kick in if he held the button down for several seconds.

I also noticed that if the red and green buttons didn't click and depress like real arcade machine buttons it seemed to throw off the experience. There was a missing tactile experience. But it isn't just all graphics. Acoustical design is just as important as seeing the buttons depress and spring back. These are things we take for granted, but every click and blip had to be designed and created by someone. I actually spent an alarming amount of time just walking around my house pressing in various buttons on appliances and paying attention to how they sounded. Now all the buttons depress and click at various and appropriate sound levels.

My wife didn't like the original wood background I'd mocked up, so I created a few different ones for her to choose from. They all looked pretty decent, so I decided to add a "design" component to the app where you could choose your background, number color and screen color of your own personal Counting Box. I tried to make all the colors and sounds as realistic as possible. I know there's a whole school of thought that says you should never create software to emulate real world devices but it seemed to add so much more warmth and interest and even familiarity to the app in the end.

I actually have some programming and scripting experience, but my last real computer science class was learning how to write Pascal on a VAX machine. Instead of trying to teach myself Objective C for the next 30 years I instead downloaded the free version of GameSalad. It doesn't require you to know a lick of code and it's great for projects like this. It probably only took me about 8 - 10 hours to create the things from start to finish (spread over 3 months!) with most of the work being play testing and graphic design.

It was an incredibly fun experience and one which our entire family shared. I'm probably going to create an iPad version soon, though I'm a little worried about the spacing of the buttons being too big for a child's hands. Software is great, but it can't change the physical size of the hardware it's run on. Maybe the Kindle Fire's small screen would lend itself to this a little better. If anyone has any other suggestions, I'd love to hear them. There's a fine line between overloading an app with features and making it easy enough for someone to use.