Reviews

Review: Nursery Rhymes by ChuChu TV for iOS

Popular YouTube kids cartoon channel ChuChu TV has made all of their favorite cartoons available in an app for the iPhone and iPad. “Nursery Rhymes by ChuChu TV” offers hundreds of colorful educational cartoons for toddler (0-3 years), and preschoolers (3-5 years).

Overview

The ChuChu TV channel on YouTube has long been a popular destination for parents who want their toddlers and preschoolers to be exposed to educational content that also entertains their kids. Nursery Rhymes by ChuChu TV allows parents to download the popular videos to an iPhone or iPad, offering educational entertainment for kids that is safe and ad-free.

The content in the app can be controlled by the parents, and all settings and shopping functions are hidden behind a parental control wall. (Users must answer a math question to gain access to the settings section.) ChuChu TV Studios says the app never collects any personal data.

The app offers a number of educational videos, such as learning colors, ABCs, Math, Nursery Rhymes, and more. It also offers kids the chance to sing along, with a number of fun Karaoke videos. As well as being educational, the videos promote good values for children, promoting caring, sharing, and helping others.

The content is the same as can be found on the ChuChu TV YouTube channel, but has the added convenience of being able to download the videos, so they can be viewed, even if an Internet connection isn’t available. The handy feature also reduces your data usage when outdoors, or traveling in the car. The videos download quickly, and are ready for viewing in a matter of moments, and downloaded videos can be deleted from the device if you begin to run out of storage space.

The app offers an easy to use interface, so kids of most ages will be able to find and view their favorite videos. (Let’s face it, 2 year olds can use an iPad better than some adults.) No ads mean your kids aren’t being exposed to commercials, and their viewing habits aren’t bring shared with anyone trying to sell them, (and you), a product of any kind.

While the app comes with 15 free downloadable video, which should keep any child entertained for awhile, it also offers other videos, which can be downloaded for $0.99 per video, via an in-app purchase. (The store is only accessible by parents, or someone who can do 2 column math. If your kid can perform that level of math, this app isn’t for them.)

Verdict

Nursery Rhymes by ChuChu TV offers a convenient and entertaining way to help kids learn their ABCs , math, and more. The entertaining videos offer a great way to keep kids entertained without mind-rot setting in at an early age. While the app offers a great amount of entertaining videos for free, the additional selections that can be purchased in the in-app store will likely help out on rainy or snowy days.

Rating: 3.5/5.0

Price: FREE (With in-app purchases) – Available for iOS devices in the App Store. [GET IT HERE] Also available for Android devices, via Google Play.

Pros:

  • Entertaining, yet educational, animated videos.
  • Videos can be downloaded to the device.
  • Easy to use. Kids of most ages will be able to use without much parental supervision.
  • Settings and in-app purchases are locked behind a “math firewall.”

Cons:

  • Depending on your child’s boredom threshold, you could rack up some in-app purchases.
  • Be sure to get child-friendly headphones for your child, otherwise the songs will do an earworm-like tunnel directly into your brain.
  • The app sends regular reminders to your iPhone’s notification center, and the Apple Watch. They’re basically “don’t forget about me” reminders. I don’t see the need.

 

*Note: The above review was commissioned by the developer in accordance with our app review policy, and has been written in an objective, unbiased fashion.

Chris Hauk

Chris is a Senior Editor at Mactrast. He lives somewhere in the deep Southern part of America, and yes, he has to pump in both sunshine and the Internet.