We love quality educational apps, and our most-played apps are all from Avokiddo. Avokiddo is a leading developer of educational apps for kids that we love to partner with. Their award-winning apps have been covered by major media outlets like USA Today, The Guardian and Huffngton Post, and whenever I learn about a new app Avokiddo designs I can’t wait to check it out.
DNA Play, the new science app for kids, is no exception. This app is the first of its kind to introduce kids to the world of genetics. It merges creativity with science as kids play with DNA to design their own amazing creatures and interact with them. In just a short time after being release DNA Play has already reached #1 on the App Store Kids category in US, UK, Canada and many more countries! And Apple has featured it as “Best New App” on the front page of the App Store in the US and worldwide.
DNA Play Science App for Kids
DNA Play is the first kids app that takes on the fascinating field of genetics, and it does so in the most intriguing way. With DNA Play kids can create over 200 billion unique creatures by building and tweaking their DNA! They experiment with real-time mutations while engaging their monsters in hilarious acts.
You may be thinking isn’t genetics a little advanced for young kids? Well, yes and no. DNA Play is designed to be a subtle and creative introduction to a challenging subject like genetics. Created for kids ages 4-9, the app serves as a playful introduction to DNA, genes, and mutations. The app itself is very easy to use, and kids quickly see how each action they take to change their creature’s DNA code has an obvious impact.
To play kids start by creating a series of DNA puzzles that are part of the larger DNA helix. Each of the six puzzles affects a different body part (torso, head, eyes, mouth, legs, and arms). Once they’ve completed a puzzle kids can alter genes to experiment with mutations of the different body parts.
The open-ended game play continues as kids tap on random body parts to trigger random mutations. As they do, kids can see how the gene order is modified too.
But the fun doesn’t stop there, silliness ensues as kids engage in interactive scenarios with their creatures and learn more about the personalities, likes, and dislikes of the creatures through their actions. This is the part that has my girls giggling the most. I keep hearing things like “ooh, my monster does not like to eat that!” and “whoa, have you seen this yet?!” Their excitement about the app and the creatures they are creating is obvious, and it’s fun to see them get so excited about DNA of all things!
Kids can also save snapshots of their creations stamped with their DNA code and compare different DNA codes later. As they create new creatures they are saved in a ready-to-play library to be revisited and played with again and again.
See DNA Play in action with this short video.
If you need to brush up on the details of basic genetics (like I did!) the parents’ section of DNA Play includes info on DNA, an illustrated tutorial, interaction hints & play ideas that are very helpful when you are just getting started.
Get DNA Play for Your Device
DNA Play is available worldwide on the App Store, Google Play and Amazon.
Alice @ Mums Make Lists
We just love Avokiddo – absolute genius and have just got started with DNA play. Brillaint!