Kapu Toys – The Digital Toybox is a collection of engaging mobile games/apps designed for children aged 0-6 years, as stated by the Finnish developers, Little Star Games. The collection features six games, with Kapu Forest available for free. The remaining five games can be unlocked individually for 20 SEK each (currently offered as a bundle of all six games for 50 SEK as part of a promotional campaign).
My children, aged 1 and 3, tested the collection over a weekend, providing positive feedback. The one-year-old enjoyed games within Kapu Forest that involved interacting with a woodpecker through repeated screen taps. The digital paper doll application, Kapu Tickle Toy Camera, was also well-received, with the child engaging with the string-pulling mechanic that triggered laughter and wiggling from the doll. Kapu Bloom Tunes, which allows users to paint flower petals to music, proved popular as well. It is advisable to enable screen lock features (such as Guided Access on Apple devices) to prevent unintended interactions during gameplay.
The three-year-old found enjoyment in game elements that required more developed motor skills and cognitive abilities. These included assembling pieces in the beaver’s dam (from Kapu Forest) and feeding the fox berries while exploring animals in Kapu Planet. However, constructing figures using the crane in Kapu Blocks proved too challenging, both in terms of understanding the underlying concept and mastering the crane controls.
Overall, Kapu Toys was a well-received collection that effectively engages and entertains children while stimulating their curiosity and promoting learning. It offers a constructive alternative to passive content consumption, such as YouTube (which can also be beneficial when used in moderation with curated playlists). This collection represents a worthwhile investment for parents of children within the target age range. However, it’s important to note the varying levels of challenge presented by the different games, ensuring that not all titles will be equally suitable for all ages or individual preferences. This variability is common among games designed for a broad age range.
