Speech is a big milestone in your toddler’s development. There are many ways you can help your little one build her vocabulary, but a sure fun way is with the help of Eli Explorer. Developed by Colto, it’s an interactive app that aims to help kids learn their first 100 words and phrases in a fun way.
Kids start by waking up Eli, a cute rabbit with propeller ears, who is sound asleep on a cloud. Using their finger, they guide him through a colorful world to uncover more than 20 fun animations and interactions: jamming with a band of monster under the mountain, picking fruits, bouncing on mushrooms, feeding chameleons, and many more.
As kids go through each interaction, they also learn various word and phrases by listening to Eli comment on things or talk to the characters he meets. For example, he might enter a treetop bar and say, “Milk, please” to the monkey bartender to get a drink. He can also comment on the weather and name the animals riding on the ferris wheel. Additionally, kids can pick up basic skills such as counting up to 10 and identifying colors.
The app includes 100 words and short phrases, which are available in 10 different languages. To switch the game’s audio language, tap on the flag on the upper right-hand side of the main screen, then select your language’s flag.
Parents Need to Know
Designed for preschoolers, the app features an intuitive and easy-to-use interface. Interactive hotspots are marked clearly with yellow stars, and kids can either tap on a spot or drag to move Eli there. The app is open-ended and has no time limit, so kids can take their time exploring each nook and cranny.
An interesting bit is the interactions are designed so that you get a different surprise each time. The clothes on the clothesline will change, as do the fruits on the trees and the animals on the ferris wheel. Eli can also walk into the kitchen to check the food on the platter, but it won’t be the same thing every time.
Security-wise, there is nothing to worry about. The app has been certified as COPPA-compliant, and has no ads and no in-app purchases. There is a protected section for parents outlining the game’s purpose and mechanics, but for an added layer of security can be hidden by going to the device’s Settings and turning off the ‘For Parents’ button.
Eli Explorer is playable in English (UK and US), Spanish, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Chinese (simplified), and Japanese. It is available now as a Universal app on the App Store.
Things I Like
Eli Explorer has a nice selection of words and phrases that are easily usable in daily life, such as “hello”, “please” and “What’s the food?” Also included are names of family members, colors, animal noises (“neigh”, “baa”, “moo”), and various adjectives.
The app has good audio quality. Pronunciation is clear as narration in each language has been professionally recorded by native speakers. If you’d like, you can use the app to introduce your child to a new language. But even if your child did not learn any new words, this is still a fun little game to play.
Visually, the app has cute graphics with adorable character designs and a vibrant color palette. The little details, like Eli’s discontented face upon having broccoli for dinner, give the app polish. Slight variations in animations also rouse curiosity and gives kids an incentive to play repeatedly.
Finally, I like how there is a lot of humor throughout the app. Some parents may not appreciate Eli doing his business behind a bush, but many kids will surely find it hilarious.
A cute, open-ended exploration app that aims to help preschoolers learn their first 100 words and phrases. It is available in 10 different languages, thus it is just as useful for picking up a new language. As kids play, they can also pick up basic skills such as counting up to 10, identifying colors, and learning the names of animals. Recommended for ages 2-5.
App was provided for our honest review.