Earlier today, I spent half an hour drawing with my children. It was great fun, even though I can’t really draw. In fact, trying to decipher my scribblings was part of the fun.
It reminded me of the joys of creating with your children: getting involved rather than just making sure they have the necessary materials. And, in a digital way, that’s what a new app called WonderBox is all about too.
It’s the latest release from American developer Duck Duck Moose, who many parents will know for apps like Pet Bingo, Moose Math and ChatterPix. The company’s apps have tended to fall into one of two categories: educational or creative. WonderBox combines the two.
The app sets 120 creative challenges, with more to come. They include taking shadow photos, creating superheroes, and designing an apartment, all using the features of your iPhone or iPad, and easy-to-use tools within the app.
What your children make can then be shared within your family group, plus friends if they add them too, although these features are firmly under your control: you can see who your children connect to, and approve or block them if necessary.
WonderBox also has a collection of educational videos from YouTube, chosen by a team of teachers working with Duck Duck Moose. With categories like science, design and geography, they’ll also provide inspiration for kids’ creativity – in the real world, not just within the app.
The idea here is that you have the app installed on your devices too, so you’ll see what your children have been doing in the challenges, but can also get involved yourself.
WonderBox will also send you an email digest of what your children have sent you, which you can then forward on to other relatives (grandparents, for example) who aren’t using the app.
In some ways, WonderBox reminds us of PopJam, the creative/social app for children that launched here in the UK last year. But while that was focused on children and their friends, this is more aimed at families.
Both are inventive attempts to figure out how children can create and share on smartphones and tablets, while staying safe.
WonderBox is a free download for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store.
Although it has a virtual coins currency that kids use to spend on drawing tools, those coins aren’t bought with real money – no in-app purchases here. Instead, they’re earned as rewards for completing challenges and using the app.
Read about more Duck Duck Moose apps for kids on Apps Playground