Here’s a great list of mobile apps that would make great companions for kids when on long hauls. The list is a summary from feedback from 2,700 CruiseCompete cruise experts to find out which apps are the most popular among children and families when traveling.
Cost: Free
Available on: iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch
Most Appropriate for ages: 2–7
Download videos to your device before going on a trip and when on the road, the app will turn your mobile device into video player with kid’s favorite shows so you can have some peace and quiet en route.
Cost: Free “Lite” Version, $.99 for full version
Available on: iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch
Most Appropriate for ages: 4-9
Highlights for Children is a hidden pictures magazine that hearkens back to days of old but it is now available on the iPad, iPhone and iPod Touch. The idea is that objects are hidden in illustrations- but they now change from black and white to color when they’re found. 
Cost: Free “Lite” Version, $.99 for full version
Available on: iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch
Most Appropriate for ages: 5-10
This is a really cool game that helps you learn geography… as kids learn about U.S. states and capitals, they answer the questions (correctly) and drop states down to a platform. When the states stack up to a checkered line, kids earn themselves a state and move on to the next level.
Cost: $1.99
Available on: iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch, Android
Most Appropriate for ages: 5+
Think physics and it’s a great game for kids and adults. Players must calculate the effect of each cut of a rope that’s tied to a piece of candy… and it must ultimately end up in a monster’s mouth.
Cost: Varies according to version
Available on: iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch, Android
Most appropriate for ages: 5+
Rovio has several variations and versions of the Angry Birds game: Angry Birds, Angry Birds Seasons, Angry Birds Space, Angry Birds Rio…they can be downloaded for free, or purchased for up to $2.99 if you want the HD version.
Cost: Free “Lite” Version, $.99 for full version
Available on: iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch, Diner Dash 2 is available for Android
Most Appropriate for ages: 7-12
With Diner Cash, kids build a restaurant empire (working their way up from a greasy spoon diner to a 5-star restaurant) by seating and serving customers, and clearing off the tables when they’re finished. This game is pure distraction, and has sister games of DinerTown Zoo, Hotel Dash, Wedding Dash and Cooking Dash.
Cost: Free
Available on: iPhone & iPad
Most Appropriate for ages: 8-18
Traveling to a new city and want to do some exploring? Have the kids do some research through Viator- this app has 9,000 activities tickets in more than 750 worldwide destinations. Includes reviews from over 280,000 travelers, who’ve submitted information and photos related to the excursions.
Cost: Free
Available on: iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch, Android
Most Appropriate for ages: 9-18
Temple Run is a treasure hunting game that moves at high speeds and has amazing 3-D graphics, a challenge even for older kids. A running mechanic allows the player to turn, jump, slide and tilt for an emersion in the environment and an ever-changing landscape. This game has mild cartoon violence.
Cost: Free
Available on: BlackBerry, iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad, Android
Most appropriate for ages: 10-18
For kids who aren’t game for a family sing-along and can’t stand to travel without their music, this app is available on a wide variety of devices. It offers over 150 preprogrammed stations and allows kids to create their own, to take their favorite music with them. It even stores their favorite stations for play when WiFi isn’t available.
Cost: $9.99
Available on: iPhone/iPod Touch/iPad, Android
Most appropriate for: Families, with kids of all ages
This geocaching app lets you to go on a high-tech, real-world treasure hunt where you can get access to over 1,750,000 geocache locations worldwide. You simply follow the clues and use GPS to find your prize. They recommend that this activity be done under adult supervision as some geocaches may be located in difficult to reach or remote locations.
The list of all these apps were suggested and recommended by CruiseCompete Agents and family members, including young kids who have played and used these apps. We received the great list via email from the CruiseCompete folks and are reposting them here.
Renee Blodgett is the founder of We Blog the World. The site combines the magic of an online culture and travel magazine with a global blog network and has contributors from every continent in the world. Having lived in 10 countries and explored nearly 80, she is an avid traveler, and a lover, observer and participant in cultural diversity.
She is also the CEO and founder of Magic Sauce Media, a new media services consultancy focused on viral marketing, social media, branding, events and PR. For over 20 years, she has helped companies from 12 countries get traction in the market. Known for her global and organic approach to product and corporate launches, Renee practices what she pitches and as an active user of social media, she helps clients navigate digital waters from around the world. Renee has been blogging for over 16 years and regularly writes on her personal blog Down the Avenue, Huffington Post, BlogHer, We Blog the World and other sites. She was ranked #12 Social Media Influencer by Forbes Magazine and is listed as a new media influencer and game changer on various sites and books on the new media revolution. In 2013, she was listed as the 6th most influential woman in social media by Forbes Magazine on a Top 20 List.
Her passion for art, storytelling and photography led to the launch of Magic Sauce Photography, which is a visual extension of her writing, the result of which has led to producing six photo books: Galapagos Islands, London, South Africa, Rome, Urbanization and Ecuador.
Renee is also the co-founder of Traveling Geeks, an initiative that brings entrepreneurs, thought leaders, bloggers, creators, curators and influencers to other countries to share and learn from peers, governments, corporations, and the general public in order to educate, share, evaluate, and promote innovative technologies.
