Kindle Apps Blog

So many kids either struggle or dislike solving math problems.  Math is so much more fun when it is part of a game.  Ultimate Math Skills Quiz for the Kindle is a worthwhile math game for kids of upper elementary school  and middle school age to try.

All of HandyX’s Kindle quiz games are set up pretty much the same way.  Ultimate Math Quiz has four sections: Continuous, Round by Round, and then Continuous and Round by Round with Countdown.

I’m more of a casual player, but using the timer can be a great way of improving speed and accuracy.  This can come in handy as practice for timed standardized tests.

There are 1000 math questions in Ultimate Math Quiz.  they are not basic addition and subtraction.  They’re more upper  elementary level math with fractions and division.  The questions range from basic math to algebra and geometry.  Wow, it would have been great to have such interactive supplements to my math homework when I was in school.

The graphics are excellent.  You just follow the game’s lead when it prompts you to move throught he questions.  You can consult the help section if you need it, but for the most part, everything is pretty intuitive.  The Kindle toggle button is the only button you’ll need.

There are other math game son the Kindle worth checking out: Math Star and Flashcards: Basic Math for Kids.  Each of them have their own game styles.  So I think they are all worth checking into.  The more math practice kids can get early on, the better off they’ll be later on.

HandyX also has other quiz games in different subjects such as nature, music and literature.  They’re all set up the same way, and are quite challenging.  In addition to quizzing children on their knowledge, they’re great refreshers for adults as well.

So, I encourage you to check out Ultimate Math Quiz and the other math and other subject related games on the Kindle.  They’re fun, interactive, and best of all, cheap.

readalotta

“It requires higher level math skills and thinking, rather than rote memorization of basic math facts. Questions include subjects such as: probability, exponents, value of x, negative numbers, the value of angles, reading a bar graph, order of operations, just to name a few… I also like that you get to choose between three possible answers, and they show you the correct answer if you make a mistake. Very happy my 7th grader will finally have a math game to play! ”

Ultimate Math Skills Quiz is now compatible with the latest generation keyboardless Kindle.

DigiRonin games is on to something with their Kindle game collection for kids. Flash Cards: Animals for Kids, is one of their games designed to help children learn and review the names of various animals. It provides a fun and interactive way to learn.

Flash Cards: Animals provides different methods of learning at various difficulty levels. You can start off easy with just a review of the names of animals, and work your way through medium and hard, which are multiple choice and fill in the blank.

DigiRonin does a good job with separating everything out by difficulty levels so that both younger and older children can benefit from the exercises.

Overall, the graphics are easy to navigate. The Kindle’s 5 way toggle gets you through the menu and guides you through the exercises. Notice that if you get an exercise right, it will automatically move on to the next one. If you get it wrong, it will stop and let you review the answer before moving on.

I will admit that some of the pictures of the animals were a little confusing. I missed some of them because the animals were drawn in a different way than I would have pictured it. Considering how the e-ink Kindle platform is designed, the options are kind of limited.

I found some of the questions challenging because I am not that good at remembering what some animals look like, such as the llama, platypus, or the anteater. They’re not ones I see or hear about too often so, they’re kind of fuzzy in my memory.

Pictures aside, I think Flashcards: Animals for Kids is a great supplement to what kids are learning in the classroom.  Also look for more educational apps from DigiRonin Games on spelling and math skills.

Melannie

“My son loves the pictures (and to be able to push the button). There are some different animals in the cards and they are not the same ones every time. But we guess the animal together and then push the button for the name and we can touch the name and the picture without wearing them out! He also likes to do it because he sees me read my kindle and he wants to “read” it too….it is something we do together using mommy’s magic book. We haven’t done the spelling yet but I am sure it will entertain my 8 year old niece when she visits. “

With a little strategy, Tic Tac Toe by 7 Dragons can be one of the easiest games out there.  The Kindle version is well done, and does its best in simulating the pencil and paper versions.  It includes three difficulty levels, large, easy to read graphics, and includes a good instruction manual.

You can play either the Kindle, or another player.  There are three difficulty level settings: easy, medium, and hard.  I beat them all pretty quickly using a good strategy that I found.

Tic Tac Toe is a good kid’s game because it teaches them how to play strategically.  In the “old” days you could find kids playing it when bored in class, or even on playground sets.  The Kindle player setting can help them get introduced to the game and work their way up in skill level.

For adults, I highly recommend playing in two player mode.  No matter how good and “human like” the Kindle gets as a player, it can never replace the real thing.  I also think that playing against another human being would be more interesting and challenging than playing even the hard Kindle player levels.

Tic Tac Toe is pretty intuitive as long as you know your way around the Kindle’s keys and the 5-way toggle.  I immediately just jumped in and started playing   You can choose whether you want to be “X” or “O” at the beginning of each game.

If you’re new to Kindle games, feel free to press the Menu button and click on the Help option.  You also can access the different difficulty levels from the Menu, which saves the hassle of returning to the Main Menu each time.

If you get tired of this particular version of Tic Tac Toe, you can always try out the other Tic Tac Toe and Tic Tac Toe 2 Player Kindle game that was designed by Jon Larimer.  In terms of quality and reviews, the 7 Dragons version is much better.

Samuel J. Perry

First of all, this is Tic Tac Toe, not ChessMaster Chess. It is a simple game that anyone with a reasonably good IQ will be able to beat or draw every single game, regardless of the difficulty level selected. It is good brain food for the children as they learn the algorithm themselves and reach the level of win/draw every game. I find it an excellent choice for my little daughter as she rides in the car, or just a nice distraction from time to time. It makes her feel good to do battle with a game that she can beat. I recommend this game, but dear me, remember it is Tic Tac Toe, nothing more, nothing less.

Tic Tac Toe is now compatible with the latest generation keyboardless Kindle.

I had a lot of fun playing Doodle for Kindle. It is a lot like Etch A Sketch, an old favorite drawing toy from childhood.

The Kindle’s e-ink platform is really similar to Etch A Sketch. Use the Kindle’s toggle button to draw a picture on the screen. You can customize the drawing speed and type.

Hold mode does faster and more precise drawings. This setting is great for more intricate designs. Automatic draws on its own while you guide with the cursor. Step by Step adds a line at a time, so it is good for stair steps or boxes.

Doodle for Kindle comes with a few sample drawings to get your creative juices flowing. They’re pretty elaborate. A couple of examples include the Mona Lisa and a swan. Take this as a fun opportunity to recreate something equally or more elaborate!

For those who aren’t that good at drawing, you can always just doodle for fun. I just like to dig in and create a bunch of random shapes. Sometimes the most random doodles can turn into a true work of art.

I think kids will love Doodle for Kindle because it provides an opportunity for them to use a “cool gadget.” For adults, this is a great way to keep your kids occupied for long periods of time in the car or waiting room.

I’ve seen so many reviewers of Kindle books and applications talk about how they wish there were more kid friendly options on the popular e-reader. Doodle for Kindle fits the bill perfectly.

Your primary drawing method is through the toggle button, but you can use keyboard shortcuts to switch between modes. Also, if you press the menu button on the Kindle, it gives some important options to choose from. They include clearing the drawing, resetting default drawings, and an about section that explains the basics of the app. You’ll also find an option to invert the colors from black on white to white on black. I thought that was pretty cool.

After going over the reviews, I was pleased to find that they are all positive. The average is 5 stars! Doodle for Kindle is a great app for a really inexpensive price.

Chios

“Pretty straight forward drawing app for the Kindle. Definitively good for keeping your kids busy during a car trip or for zoning out during a boring meeting. Does what it advertises and worth the one buck.”