| Ezone.com (all apps) |
| Crazy Mouth (Age 2+) | |||||||||||
 |
|
||||||||||
| Crazy Mouth (Lite) (Age 2+) | |||||||||||
 |
|
||||||||||
“Crazy Mouth” was one of the very first apps I installed. It was the first app I purchased the full version of. I cannot remember where I first heard about it, but it was not the app store. Apparently it has made appearances on TV, and I can see why – its quite different to your normal iPhone app. You touch one of the range of mouths and while it plays a little animation and sound track you hold it in front of your mouth (to pretend the animation is your mouth). Very cute and novel.
Big-T (almost 3) initially loved this application, playing the lite version over and over again. When alone, he would watch the mouths. When someone was with him, he would take turns who had to put it in front of their mouth. It encouraged interactive play with others.
However, he has not gone back for some time now. Now he is into jig-saw puzzle like apps.
The Application
There is a lite version with 2 mouths (one with a funny laugh, the other whistling a short tune) and the full version with 10 mouths. You touch the selected picture and an animation with synchronized sound starts playing. You hold the iPhone up in front of your mouth to pretend the animation is your mouth. So this app is best for when you have at least two people — the person holding the phone and an audience to watch you.
The game describes itself as being great as a talking point at parties — that is, its not specifically targeted at young kids. Some of the animations are great fun, and suitable for kids. Others are a bit more scary for the very young (or timid).
The Good
- Very clean, logical, simple interface.
- There is a demonstration video as well. Big-T enjoys watching this as much as using the app itself!
- There is no dependence on being able to read in order to learn or use the app.
The Bad
- The full version has some mouths big-T finds very scary. He plays them, but quickly backs away from the phone after starting to play them. I equate this to some adults love of horror movies (of which I am not one!). They know they are going to be scared, but watch it anyway.
Educational Value
I almost said “none”, but it does encourage a bit of lateral thinking. You use this app in a complete different way to other apps. It does encourages play acting and interacting with others, unlike most other apps where you look at the screen and touch/swipe.
My Score
Lite version 3 stars, full version 2.5 stars (because of the scariness of some of the extra mouths and this review is for young children). The quality is good, but it has limited educational value — but I am torn by this score a bit as it does encourage “interactive play” with others. Creativity and lateral thinking certainly are good skills to pick up.
Get it in iTunes
More information, screen shots, and user reviews can be found in the iTunes store.
Share this Review
