Here are my current App picks for the Android. I know there are many more options with the iPhone but I have a Galaxy Note because of the camera quality and price. It has a large screen so Lyra can easily interact with the apps. She enjoys these apps in particular and are age appropriate. I want to emphasize she is not on the phone long. Just long enough to play the game or hear the song. Lyra is currently 15 months old.
I use an Android widget called, Giganticon, which enlarged the app icon so it is easier for her to select the app she wants. Below is a screenshot from my phone.
6 months-Currently enjoys
PeekABoo BARN- I tried a few apps to get her attention and distract her. This is the only one that worked. It is the best peek a boo app out there. It works well rarely crashes. It is easy for her to tap on only having one function, to open the barn door. The animal sounds are accurate, animal names are pronounced by child narrators, and barn animals are very cute.PBS Kids- The best tv video app. I just play the intro to Sesame street or Thomas the Train for her to hear the song. The Sprouts app is very disappointing with adds and always crashing. This is not the case with PBS. I am sure she will enjoy the videos one day.
11 months-Currently enjoys
Go Away Big Green Monster- Lyra loves this app. She loves to dance the beautiful woman's voice signing the story. She interacts with monsters and tries so hard to say monster. Lyra loves to wiggle her body to the song. This is always her first pick now if she sees my phone.
13 months-Currently enjoys
PeekABoo Sesame Street- Lyra is starting to get into Sesame street. She is enjoying opening to the door to reveal a Sesame Street character. Not much learning going on. There are some random terms the app highlights beyond the main character names like, "paper clip" and "trash can".
15 Months-Currently enjoys
Itsy Bitsy Spider- I personally love this app because Itsy Bitsy Spider is song by an male opera singer. The song is extremely interactive which is a little over whelming for her but she likes to watch me interact with the app to play out the song.Wheels on the Bus- After trying and purchasing a few wheels on the bus, her favorite book/song from her cousin Sienna, we discovered this app had an interactive song that was easy for her to use and listen to the song.
