Fun Freetime: Bonk! Bonk!

If you're looking for a very simple iPad/iPhone app that you can use if you need to entertain your little kids, Bonk! Bonk! fits the bill. Your kids don't have to be able to do anything except tap the screen, and they'll be rewarded with a picture and sound. Android users will have the app available for them soon.

Bonk! Bonk! is the debut app for Red Wagon Software, founded by Bill Brisky, who formerly programmed for Microsoft. He was inspired to create the app when he saw the joy his infant son had in tapping the screen of his iPad to see what happened. “Inspiration can come from anywhere and seeing the fun Paul has with ‘Bonk! Bonk!’ showed me there is a fun market for toddlers,” says Brisky. “This is just the start for us here at Red Wagon as we hope to become the leader in educational, entertaining apps for kids of all ages.”

I have girls almost 3 and almost 5, so the older one I think is outside of the target age group - but she still enjoyed it, at least for a while. It didn't hold her attention for very long - just a few minutes - but sometimes that's all you need. When I was looking at the pictures with her and asking questions about them, then she played until I got bored. My younger one, who can find her own apps now when handed phones, chose this one as her potty training reward repeatedly the first day (we've only had the app for one day). 

There's not a lot of educational value inherent in this app, other than cause and effect, but it could definitely be used to increase observation and vocabulary if parents play along with kids or pay attention to the pictures their kids are seeing. I look forward to future apps released by Red Wagon as well!

Disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of the app to facilitate this review.