13 educational apps that toddlers will love

Though we can understand your reservations about getting your little one addicted to mobile-media before they're out of nappies, with the right toddler friendly apps you can help your child learn, as well as develop their motor skills, problem-solving and reaction times.

And while it's important to limit screen time and give your child plenty of other outlets to channel their imagination and energy through, there's no denying that in this digital age early mobile literacy will be a valuable skill.

We've found 10 apps that are all well designed, educational and can be counted in your guilt-free screen-time quota.

13 toddler-friendly apps:

1) First Words UK, Free, Google Play

If you're looking for an app to help your tot with their speech, or just to teach them different words, then this app is a must to download! It has UK spelling and pronunciations of over 110 that are clear for your little one to understand and also has some amazing features, including 2-gender voice recordings, resizable text that is easy to read, a quiz mode to test their learning and even autoplay so your tot doesn't have to worry about navigation.

You can also change how the photo images appear, changing from a cartoon to real life images. It's also a great app for little ones with autism, as you can turn off the background colours and animation to make it a calmer learning experience.

Buy the £1.99 version for over 360 words and a lot more fun!

2) Elmo Loves 123s Lite, Free, iTunes

This colourful app is free to download and is full of games, activities and videos which help your childs development. The games include number tracing, counting objects and problem solving. It's suitable for ages 4+ and you can download the full version for just £4.99.

3) ABC Kids Tracing & Phonics, Free, Google Play

A simple education game that's suitable for ages 5 and under. The kid-friendly app is brightly coloured help to teach your toddler how to trace the alphabet and learn phonics.

4) Jack and the Beanstalk, £4.99, iTunes

From British books and apps publisher Nosy Crow, this fairytale makes reading all the more fun by actively encouraging children to make their own ending!

5) Disney Junior Play, Free, iTunes

With over 20 games this magical app encourages problem solving, imaginative play and observation skills. The "Disney Juniors Pack" is completely free but if you want more Disney, then in-app purchases are available which only adults can purchase. Also available on Google Play.

6) Gruffalo Games, £2.99, iTunes

With 6 Gruffalo themed mini-game this educational app is designed to develop logic, problem solving and reactions for children aged 3 and above! There's no in-app purchases so your little ones can enjoy everything on the app.

7) Teach Your Monster to Read, £4.99, Google Play

An award-winning phonics and reading game that's designed to help your kids to read! Let them create their own monster and play games that help their understanding of phonics and word blends! It covers the first two years of learning to read, from matching letters and sounds to enjoying little books. Also available on iTunes.

8) Cbeebies Storytime, Free, iTunes

Free books with the Cbeebies characters that parents and children can enjoy together, with guided interaction points that your children will love!

9) 123 Numbers, Free, Google Play

This fun app teaches little ones how to count and trace numbers and learn shapes, with no in-app purchases!

10) Playtime Island, Free, iTunes

There is something for everyone on Cbeebies Playtime Island and it's jam-packed full of fun games for kids - for free! With games from all the Cbeebies characters the game is suitable for ages 4+ and is available on Google Play.

11) EasyXylo Xylophone App, Free, iTunes

This is suitable for kids from one and up. If you're little one is showing signs of being the next Mozart then give them a headstart with this fun-to-use app. Beware in-app purchases and tutting fellow bus passengers.

12) Hey Duggee: The Big Badge app, £2.99 Google Play

We all know how obsessed kids can get with their favourite TV characters, so it's great news that apps offer up a whole new way to engage with their friends from their favourite shows. This Hey Duggee one is great for problem solving and virtual 'collecting'.

13) Peppa Pig: Paintbox, Free, Google Play

Similarly, this is a great way for your kids to get creative without the added hassle of cleaning up after them.

How much screen time should my child have?

“By it’s very nature, the internet provokes what we call a ‘Butterfly mentality’; where the brain flits from thing to thing without having to focus for very long,”says Martina Barrett, Managing Director at VAKS: Tuition & Revision Centers.

When children are constantly on iPads and smartphones, it’s no surprise they find it increasingly difficult to sit in a classroom and concentrate for up to an hour at a time. We are finding that children become tired quicker, their engagement with printed texts is not as great and even their motor skills are suffering from the constant use of touch screens as opposed to toys and tools that require manual manipulation.”

For more information about what's healthy for your child in terms of screen time, click here.

Are there any educational apps that your toddler loves? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter!