The Playtime Theater app http://www.playtimetheater.com/ for iPad is technology that inspires creativity.
In this innovative, first-of-its-kind digital puppet show theater, your kids control the play – it’s their imagination that creates the characters, plans the plot and records the results – bringing together a unique digital storytelling experience.
The current cast of customizable characters includes a prince and princess, a wizard and ogre and a pauper and knight, to name a few, that can be combined to create stories that appeal to both boys and girls. And, you can use your own photos so that your kids and their friends not only create, but also star in the action!
Does someone need a sword or a magic wand? (If you’re my boys, everyone needs one!) Interchangeable props allow you to further customize the costumes of members of your leading and supporting cast.
And this app nearly puts the shows that we used to create as kids (you know, the ones with cardboard box sets and paper characters on popsicle sticks) to shame. Move stage parts, add sound effects and integrate original music all at the touch of a finger.
It’s multi-touch and multi-player … and you can record up to two minutes of action, save and playback your performances. I can just see the family screening party now!
At first glance, all the options for stage changes, character changes and music and sound can seem a bit daunting. But a collection of videos on the app’s YouTube channel www.YouTube.com/PlayTimeTheater provides tips, tricks and demos, making directors out of even the youngest (namely, my 4-year-old).
The app, targeting ages 5-8, offers a castle stage set, complete with a dragon in the moat and veranda for the princess. Additional stages themes are in the works, including a pirate world, outer space and a dinosaur world. Although we’re still perfecting our skills in the current set, we’re definitely looking forward to more options for interacting with technology and our imaginations. And, who knows? This may be the first step on the path to a “Best Director” or “Best Screenplay” award for one of my boys!
Purchase the Playtime Theater app in the iTunes store http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/playtime-theater/id411289693?mt=8 for $2.99.
