Best baby apps - games, nursery rhymes and stories for babies

Drawing Pad, £1.49

Let babies test out their inner Picasso with the drawing pad app. A good choice if you’d rather crayon stayed away from your walls as they only need to use their fingers.

Download from iTunes: compatible with iPad. Requires iOS 4.0 or later. Also available on Android Google Play (£1.27): requires Android 2.2 and up.

Read Me Stories – Children’s books, free

Every day your Read Me Stories app offers a fabulous new picture book to read with your little one. The words light up as you read, helping instill an early love for reading. Note: the app comes with some sample books, but you will have to purchase more as you go.

Download from iTunes: compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Requires iOS 4.0 or later. Similar apps available from Google Play

Peppa Pig Me Books, £1.99

Listen along to Peppa Pig stories, narrated by original narrator John Sparkes. You’ll get a sample book when you buy the app, but you’ll have to purchase other titles to build up your Peppa library. Our personal favourite is Peppa Meets the Queen.

Download from iTunes: compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Requires iOS 4.2 or later. Peppa Pig collection on Google Play Store for Android

Nursery Rhymes with StoryTime, £0.69

The soft images, music and tap along functions of this app make it wonderfully mesmerising for babies. The easy to recognise songs means you can sing along, too!

Download from iTunes: compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Requires iOS 4.1 or later. Similar app available for Android in Google Play Store

Let’s Count Animals! free

Bright colours, counting and animals – what more could a baby need from an app? Techy babies can even learn to tilt, shake or tap to complete the game. Your baby can even dance around to cute songs at the end.

Download from iTunes: compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later. Similar Animal Sounds for Baby for Android devices

The Story Mouse Talking Books, free

Beloved books from your childhood have had a makeover. Now you can read them aloud from your device, or along with your children as they get older. From Goldilocks to The Three Billy Goats Gruff, you’ll be just as captivated as your baby.

Download from iTunes: compatible with iPhone, iPod touch, and iPad. Requires iOS 4.2 or later.

Spot Goes to School, £1.99

Adorable puppy Spot has just started school. Read along with your baby as they learn to lift the hidden flaps and reveal more of the story. The much-loved pup will be a character they remember long after they’ve grown out of the app.

Download from iTunes: compatible with iPad.Requires iOS 3.2 or later.

Peek-A-Boo Baby Rattle, £0.69

Whether your little one presses the picture or shakes your device, fun characters and animals will come to life and make lots of noise. A great alternative to a normal rattle – perfect if you need a quick sanity saver.

Download from iTunes: compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Requires iOS 3.0 or later. Or similar Baby Rattle for Android

Winnie the Pooh Puzzle Book, £0.69

Disney’s latest Winnie the Pooh app has great longevity. While your baby will initially enjoy the bright colours, Winnie’s voice and changing images, they’ll grow to read along and test their skills with the picture puzzles.

Download from iTunes: compatible with iPhone, iPod touch and iPad. Requires iOS 3.1 or later.