Have you seen the two Star Walk apps from developer Vito Technology? They’re very popular – 10m people have used them – offering a way to understand what you’re staring at in the night skies.

Now the company has launched a separate app for younger stargazers: Star Walk Kids - Astronomy for Children. It puts a child-friendly interface on the existing app, with new features especially for kids.

“As you hold your phone up and point it towards the sky, Star Walk Kids follows your motions using the built-in gyroscope to match the map on your screen to the stars seen from your location,” explains its App Store listing.

“Cartoon-style interface and friendly voice of the narrator effortlessly guide you through the night sky… You will see where the ISS is at the moment, learn how to find North from where you are, why the Sun is so important, and more.”

There are also animated short films to explain “the most important cosmic phenomena” in terms that children will understand. I’ll say this now: my level of astronomical expertise means I’ll probably enjoy those videos now, as will many parents!

It’s a great idea from an app that many parents will have already shown to their children, and the perfect encouragement for all concerned to get out into the garden at night to peer up at the stars.

Star Walk Kids costs £1.99 for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store, with no in-app purchases.

Read about more science 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