Night Zookeeper is, in the simplest terms, a drawing app. However, the approach it takes to get kids to use the entire scope of their imaginations in their drawings makes it so much more than that. The fact that parents can directly inspire and facilitate their children’s creativity through this app is just a bonus.
First, parents will want to register so they can open the Teleporting Torch Dashboard. This enables parents to send missions to their children and also upload their creations to the Night Gallery. Parents will be able to access both functions from the iPad and computer interchangeably. Next, parents will want to upload each of their “Zookeepers”.
Parents do not have to send their children missions however I do recommend it. Only you know your child’s skill level and ability and what they may need or want to work on. Once children are on the app, they press the teleport button and their missions are downloaded into the app under the star button. Missions can range from copying a footprint to changing a tiger cub into a human. Parents can choose from a number of already prepared missions or you can make your own. You can even import pictures from your iPad photo gallery as templates for missions. Your imagination is the limit.
There is an easel button where kids can choose to simply draw using the same art tools they use to complete the missions. The portrait (Night Gallery) button is where all the finished mission pictures and artwork are stored. Parents and kids can choose to save each finished picture onto the iPad or onto the Night Gallery. When you pick the Night Gallery option, finished mission pictures and artwork teleport to parents’ online dashboard at the same time new missions are downloaded. Parents can also choose to share pictures. Don’t forget to click on the book and hear the whole story of the Night Zookeeper and the magical Teleporting Torch.
Nerdybaker comments:
I am not an artist by any stretch of the imagination and my kids don’t seem inclined that way either. However, instead of getting frustrated trying to draw well (like I did) the kids appreciated the mission approach and simply enjoyed completing the tasks that became their art. My favorite aspect is that you can incorporate your own pictures as missions. The kids will be turning each other into animals all the time if I have my way.
Night Zookeeper Teleporting Torch is available on the iPad for $0.99.
If you would like to check it out or purchase it, please use the App Store link provided below. The cost is the same to you, but iGameMom gets a small percentage. Thanks for your support! Note: The link works for all countries.
Today’s app is reviewed by Celina, the NerdyBaker. Celina is a wife, a mother of three, a self-proclaimed nerd, lover of movies, science, and science fiction. She is always looking for fun and educational content for the iPad and iPods.
