“My kids become impatient and uncontrollable when we are waiting in line to pay for our purchases at the grocery store,” my friend Tracy complained after she brought her two kids with her on a shopping trip. “They kept on asking when we are going out. How I wish I had a way to keep them distracted,” she added.

Have you gone through the same predicament where you can’t keep your kids from being restless as you wait in line? How do you take control of the situation without being angry with your kids? In this tech-savvy world, there is one item you can use to keep your kids under control during these times. It is none other than the iPhone.

There are iPhone App games which are educational as well as enjoyable and very entertaining. It will keep your kids entertained for as long as you want during those busy times. They’re really great because they can be downloaded free of charge. Here is a list of 10 great iPhone apps that your kids (and you!) can play.

1. Toddler Teasers: Shapes
This game will entertain 2-4 year-old toddlers as it will ask them to touch a shape and if they do it correctly for four times, they will be given a virtual sticker. If they touch the wrong shape, they will hear the name of that shape and will be asked to try again. It is a great game that will help develop and enhance your child’s knowledge of shapes. This is available from iTunes.

2. Scribble
Here’s another game from iTunes that will draw out your child’s artistic and creative drawing abilities. Your child can draw anything on it with the use of various colours, pen sizes and photo options. And if your child wants to draw another, he/she has to shake it and it disappears. This is suitable for children ages 4 and above.

3. Tic-Tac-Toe 4 Two Players
If you’ve got two kids to entertain, then this iPhone game will be very useful. The kids can alternately play tic-tac-toe by putting X and O’s on the squares. This is good for kids four years and up and can be downloaded from iTunes.

4. Checkers
Who wants to play checkers without using a board? Now, you can play it anywhere because it is available as an iPhone app. Children above four years of age can play this game. Get it from iTunes.

5. Mad Libs Lite
Is your 6 year-old child fond of using words and making up stories? Then this iPhone app is the right one for him or her. Your child can just fill in blanks to create childish stories that they can giggle about. They can even choose stories they want to create. It is amusing, engaging and enriching for kids 6 years old and above. You can get this from iTunes.

6. Airport Mania: First Flight Lite
Do you want a game which will hold a 6 year old child’s attention? This game will surely keep a restless mind occupied by constructing his/her airport. As the one in charge, your kid is to make sure that passengers arrive promptly to their destinations. In addition, the little one can decide whether small or large planes are to be used, and the type movies to be shown on board. Your kid will be like an air-traffic controller on the move. Download this for free from iTunes.

7. Kids Bingo
Entertain your kid by having fun with numbers and the letters B-I-N-G-O in this game. Your child will have more reason to smile once he/she gets five numbers straight in a row. A game suited for children who are 6 years and above. You can get this from m.mathslice.com.

8. Freshwater Aquarium
This iPhone application will delight kids of all ages as it turns your iPhone screen into an aquarium. Your child will be fascinated with 19 different species of fish which he/she can feed while watching them grow. Surely, your child wouldn’t mind waiting for you anymore. This is available at iTunes.

9. The Pool
Children of any age will find this iPhone application a wonderful sight to behold. They will just touch the screen and ripples will be created. More than this, they can create different patterns and catch a tropical fish. Your child will feel like he or she is playing in a pool of water without getting wet. This can be downloaded from markj.net.

10. Push the Button
Have you tried competing against yourself and enjoyed beating your highest score? Then, this game is for you and most of all for your kids because it is for all ages. It will instruct you to click as many buttons as you possibly can within 30 seconds. After that, you’ll have to beat your highest score. It gets exciting as you continue. This is available at iTunes.

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