Even before we played with developer Hip Hop Hen‘s children’s apps, we liked them. The name makes us smile. Thankfully, so do the apps.

We’ve written about abc flashcard songs and abc jigsaw (the lower-case letters are deliberate) already this year, but now there’s a third app available for iPhone and iPad: abc letter tracing.

This time, it’s all about handwriting: an app that “teaches a child how to form each letter correctly using the UK National Curriculum font” with an on-screen pencil showing them what to do, and a rhyme for each letter reinforcing the lesson.

“Each letter is split into 3 stokes - traffic light balloons clearly indicate when the child has completed each stroke of the letter,” explains the App Store listing. “Once the child has completed the letter – they are rewarded by being able to pop 3 balloons. When the child pops the balloons, letters will burst out and be sounded phonetically.”

It’s deceptively simple, but also neat and clever: the kind of app that gives you confidence that your children are learning – but enjoying their learning. There’s also a joined-up handwriting option, if your kids are already being taught that skill at school.

hip hop hen: abc letter tracing costs £2.99 for iPhone and iPad on Apple’s App Store.

Read about more alphabet apps for kids on Apps Playground, and check out our 100 Best iPad Apps of 2013 e-book – £1.99 from Apple’s iBooks Store