Kids ask dozens of questions a day. Why does the weather change? What is smell? Where is the Eiffel Tower? A new app called WonderBox seeks to harness kids' natural curiosity to provide deeper learning connections for both kids and their families. The iOS app is revolutionary in how it combines learning videos with challenges that ask kids to create something new; and then it provides a safe environment for the sharing of these creations and discovered "wonders."

Hailing from multiple award-winning developer Duck Duck Moose, whose first Wheels on the Bus app was featured in Steve Job's 2011 keynote announcing the iPad 2, WonderBox moves the needle on app development for kids.

As its title indicates, the app creates a safe environment (the box) filled with "wonders" for kids to explore. The "wonders" take the form of short learning videos and associated activities to spark creativity as kids create something new. Players navigate through the app by scrolling through the over 120 teacher-created Challenges (activities) and the more than 3000 curated videos from YouTube, Vimeo and Google Maps. With this much information, the app divides its content into smaller searchable categories, such as Do It Yourself, World, Drawing, Sports, Science and many others. Kids can also use the in-app search to find content that interests them.

One of the WonderBox Challenges shows a short video about M.C. Escher's artwork and then asks the player to create art using WonderBox's 3D stickers. In another, kids learn about author J.K. Rowling and are then challenged to make her talk by speaking for her. WonderBox records the child speaking for the author and then provides tools to make the mouth of the author animate. The app combines the two, making it appear as if J.K. Rowling is saying what the child recorded.

The Challenges cleverly provide the digital tools necessary to create various projects, including making your own videos, creating art, designing new products, recording voices and more. Kids will also design floorplans, conduct experiments, and invent things. Many of these challenges ask kids to move away from the device to create or do experiments in the real world.

The magic of this app is how the outstanding content becomes sharable and collaborative. The impact of their learning multiples when kids send prized creations to family and friends and see others get excited. The key to doing collaboration for kids under 13 is to set up a safe way for sharing. WonderBox accomplishes this by tying the kid's signup to a parent's registration and email.

As part of the parent registration, parents must send Duck Duck Moose a video of themselves saying their name. That way, the developer can verify that an adult is involved. Once the parent account is set up and approved, kids can send everything they create to their parents and any parent-approved adults, such as Grandma. Kids can also share with friends they actually know. WonderBox safeguards this process by using a two-way code exchange. Kids have to communicate with their friends in real life to get their codes. Of note, parents have the ability to see and control everything that their kids are doing and sharing.

Another interesting aspect of this learning environment is that it has been gamified. Players start by creating their own avatar and are given 1000 coins. As they explore challenges, watch learning videos, create things and add friends, they earn more coins and level up in status. To create many of the projects, a player must unlock tools or stickers using the in-game coins. Since the coins are generously dished out, kids can easily earn more by doing more things within the app. This is a self-contained app with no in-app purchases. The only downside of this app is that it needs an internet connection to work.

WonderBox is a unique app that taps into kids' desire to be collaborate while learning. More than a year in development, the app is a result of thoughtful research, clever editing of curated videos and a keen awareness of what interests kids. WonderBox creates a powerful learning environment because it stimulates curiosity, encourages creation and provides a safe way to collaborate with others. All this and it's free.


Duck Duck Moose, best for ages 7-up, Free, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad.

Rating: 4 stars (out of 4)

Bonus Tips: If you don't have an iOS device, go online to explore Wonderopolis.org, an unrelated website that provides daily "wonders" and explanations. If you subscribe to its free newsletter, you can get daily "wonders" sent to you via email. I use these emails to spark interesting discussions during family meal-times.

And for additional apps that encourage kids' creativity, check out this list.


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