Developing Apps for Kids & Toddlers - Best Practices
I’ve originally made this post to PWA forum but as it might also help to developers who’s not a member, I’ve decided to post it here on our blog too… While working on our first kids app, I’ve made some research and gathered some information on that subject. So, here it is…
- Have a Privacy Policy – in the app description and/or a link on website
- Do not use analytics or data collection tools, if you do make sure to follow COPPA guidelines
- Make sure app handles multi-touch well as kids tend to touch unused parts of the screen while holding it
- For toddler apps, lock menu access to parents (using press & hold buttons, etc.)
- For toddler apps, do not place settings, info, go back, etc. buttons to the bottom of the screen
- Do not use tilt & shake controls
- Do not use swipe controls, prefer arrow navigations placed on top of the screen
- Do not use pop-up rating dialogs & such
- Do not use social network or web links, unless it’s in parents only area
- For Android app permissions, the less the better. Or do not ask for any permissions at all (if your app is suitable)
- If your app is suitable, add settings that let adults choose the concepts or levels their child can access
- Use good music AND a mute button (or an in-app volume control)
- Try to use high quality graphics made by an artist!
- For toddler apps: make sure your splash screen has one big button that kids can find and then start the game/book without further selections
- Remember that not all children /parents understand English
Some web resources on that subject
- A Dad’s Plea To Developers Of iPad Apps For Children
- Designing Experiences for Young Kids : Child Proofing your Application
- iPad & iPhone Apps for Toddlers/li>
- 8 Features Found in the BEST Educational Apps for Kids
- Touch-based App Design for Toddlers
- 10 rules on how to create a high quality kids app
- Designing Apps for Kids
- Kids App Dev Tips
Videos
Well, that’s all I have for now. If you have something to add or objecting to something, please let us know so we can improve that list for the benefit of all…
Thx to Carolina, Kristin, Scott and all the others who contributed to the original post on PWA forums…
These are really usefull tips but I agree with festival. Slide controls are not a huge problem anymore. We digged around with some arrow buttons at different positions but they performed bad. ‘Swiping’ did the trick.
When you say they might not understand english (apart from the obvious little ones might not be able to read yet!), do you mean localize for different languages, or just make it generically user friendly?(Big buttons and the likes so they dont have to read).
Be interesting to find out if localising an apps language helps in getting it out there, or whether its just as easy to publish the app in english, and change the app store description for the specific languages?
I suppose this rains true for any app, not just kids.
Hi Peter,
Actually, I meant both but mostly making it more user friendly. Using graphics to make it more universally recognisable, maybe without using any text at all…
Regarding localisation, we didn’t tried it yet but the experiences I’ve heard were not that encouraging. Such as this one: http://blog.lescapadou.com/2012/02/localizing-your-successful-app-lot-of.html
Slide controls are not a problem -when you motivate the kids to slide. i.e. a moving animal
These are great tips. Thanks for sharing!