Digitaltveurope.com

The BBC has launched a Cbeebies Playtime mobile app for kids, available on the Android, iOS and Kindle Fire platforms in the UK.

The app allows young kids to play along with characters from shows including Alphablocks, Octonauts, Tree Fu Tom and Something Special’s Mr Tumble. Parents have the option to record dedicated messages for their children in a ‘Grown-ups’ area as well as viewing tips on how to use the app.

The app can be used without access to the web once downloaded and is free to download and play. The BBC said itwould add more content online over the summer, including new games related to Cbeebies shows.

The app currently allows families to create profiles for up to four children, allowing them to collect CBeebies bugs as rewards for their progress, and listen to messages left by their parents. Each profile features a hot air balloon that children can personalise, which transports them into the CBeebies Playtime world where they can choose to play one of four games. These are: Alphablocks Word Magic, designed to help children develop confidence in reading and writing by learning how to spell a range of words; Octonauts Cadet Training, a game that allows kids to help the Octonauts in a variety of missions to rescue sea creatures; Something Special Paint Pop, providing the ability to help characters decorate their clothes and accessories, and Tree Fu Tom Chuckleberry Chase, which allows kids to practise motor skills and development movement, according to the BBC.

Patrick Healy, head of product for BBC Children’s, said: “We know that our audience want to interact with CBeebies on the go, and we’re delighted to launch CBeebies Playtime on such a wide range of devices. The app has been designed to be as accessible and secure as possible, allowing all young children to get the most out of the app, whilst giving parents the assurance and level of control they need.”