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Everything is becoming more and more gadget friendly these days. We recently got an iPad. Big B has been using them at school since kindergarten. We jokingly say something and will say there's an app for that but in all seriousness there really is an app for just about everything. Since buying my iPhone and then getting the iPad I have come across some great apps for both myself and the boys. From social media and photography apps for me to the game and learning apps for the boys we have been in the app store many times the past few months. Our most recent downloaded app is the iLearn 'N' Play app from AppStart Learning.

iLearn 'N' Play takes the app capabilities of iOS devices (iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch) and added the fun of playing with toys with the app enhanced curriculum to make learning fun for our children. Sure they can enjoy smashing bugs by tapping the screen with their finger or  hitting green pigs with birds but I like to know that I have just as many learning apps as I do entertaining apps. AppStart Learning has 3 different apps available for free right now in the iTunes store. Each app has its own toy that interacts with the app to make the playing off the app that much more fun for the kids.

• Letterbox app works along with the Learning Tablet toy on the iPad
• Letter Explorer app works with the Adventure Explorer toy for the iPad, iPhone or iPod Touch
• Numberbots app works with the Robbi robot toy for the iPhone or iPod Touch

Depending on what iOS device(s) you have is what iLearn N Play toy you get to go with the apps. When the box of the Adventure Explorer toy arrived, Little B was asking is that for me? He had to wait an extra day to play with it because I had to hunt down some batteries for it and we didn't have any the day it arrived. Since we have both the iPad and iPhone I figured the Letter Explorer app would be good for him to start out with. He knows many of his ABC's so I figured this would help make letter recognition more fun for him. Once you have the app you need downloaded to your iOS device you can sync it by bluetooth to the toy and hook your device in/onto the toy and let the learning fun begin.

With the Adventure Explorer I knew that Little B would like it for the racing that he gets to do on it. While he is going around the track hitting letters with his car he listens to the voice as it talks and he is making his own race car noises. He'll drive a little then turn and look at me and say did you see that Mom? I got the letter s (or which ever letter he gets). Now he has opened up enough levels that he is spelling words as he collects letters around the race track. I think he is up to level 24 now? My boys are just as butterfingered and clumsy as I am so I love that our iPad fits on to the Adventure Explorer steering wheel toy with it still in the protective case that I have on it. The boys would not be getting the iPad to play with with it not in some sort of protective case. Just as the iPad is protected with the steering wheel part of the toy the iPhone is inside a thick casing while it is in the handheld part of the explorer toy. While playing with the Adventure Explorer Little B discovered the horn/siren noises. It startled me the first time he made the siren go off, of course he was sitting there giggling the whole time.

Though the Adventure Explorer is more geared toward Little B I think Big B would enjoy the Letterbox app on the Learning tablet to help better his handwriting and help him with cursive writing. I have worked with him some on cursive but he gets frustrated easy and maybe the app would make it more fun and less frustrating for him?

You can find the Adventure Explorer ($39.99), Robbi robot ($39.99) and the Learning Tablet ($19.99) at a local Target store. If you have questions or want to know more about the AppStart Learning iLearn N Play toys or apps you can visit their website, watch their YouTube videos, follow them on twitter or fan their Facebook page.

GIVEAWAY! One Mama Bee Does reader will win one of the iLearn N Play toys of their choosing from AppStart Learning!

disclaimer: We received product for the purpose of review. Opinion are my own. Giveaway prize will be sent by sponsor not the blogger.