If your children have played with the Toca Life series of apps, you’ll understand the concept of a digital dolls’ house.

It’s the idea of an app where children get a set of scenes, characters and items, to rearrange however they like and make up their own stories, just as they would with real toys.

A number of children’s apps developers are working on the idea, and the latest is Pepi Play, which has released its new app Pepi House today – initially for iPhone and iPad, with Android following soon.

The app is set in a house – you may have guessed that from the title – with 10 characters available to play with, including pets. There are hundreds of household items spread between its four floors, too.

“While playing kids can learn basic home rules, explore daily routines, learn the names and use of different equipment, experiment with various items and discover many new things every day,” explains Pepi Play in the app store listing.

“As always, we at Pepi Play encourage parents to play together with kids. Tidy up rooms in a fun way, create new house rules in virtual world first and then apply them to your daily life. Talk about activities, broaden your vocabulary, experiment and most importantly have some fun and healthy laughter.”

That’s one of the things I like best about this genre of apps: although they can be something your child plays happily alone, they’re also great for playing together, or for your child to put on digital plays for you.

We’ll be trying Pepi Play properly this week to see how it compares to the Toca Life apps, as well as the recent Dr Panda School. Stand by for a video review with our thoughts.

In the meantime, Pepi House costs £2.29 for iPhone and iPad from Apple’s App Store.