This is a fairly typical matching game. Match the animals, and they make a sound. While it's entertaining, the same animals are used game after game. There are no options to change grid size (4x5), so you get-what-you-get. Giraffe's Matching Zoo doesn't have much to offer, but it’s also free, and it does the job of keeping my child entertained while improving her memory skills. I would expect a little more if I had to pay for this one.

Letters, numbers, animals, and various other objects come to life in Shape Builder. This app presents a puzzle outline with several multi-colored pieces. Just drag and drop the pieces into the correct spot, and the picture and word materialize. What makes this app great is that there are over 100 different puzzles, so they don’t repeat often. It also provides audio feedback by pronouncing the word. This app provides a bounty of entertainment—like even the greatest apps, you’ll need your iPhone back before boredom sets in with your little one!

Mr. Crab is hungry! Help him collect the numbers to trace the letters and make a word, then tilt the iPhone so the letters get gobbled up by the spinning wheel. Once a word is complete, you hear the word pronounced and see a child-like drawing of the word. It’s time for a new word when the spinning wheel eats all the letters. You can choose to write uppercase or lowercase letters, or numbers. I cannot say enough good things about this app! It's awesome for preschoolers who are just learning to write. It provides three opportunities for a child to learn through writing the letters, visualizing the word and the picture, and hearing the word. The app goes even further by saying “good job” or “excellent” before moving on. This one is definitely worth the money, but if you want to save a buck, you can buy cheaper versions that offer only upper or lowercase letters.