Sago Mini Space Explorer

Ground control to tiny Tim

£1.99 Developer Sago Sago Toys Inc, sagosago.com

Works with iPhone, iPod touch, iPad Version 1.0 Age 4+

This is a kind of interactive play app for very young kids, letting them explore an area of space filled with sweet little creatures and things to do. They play as a spacesuited puppy, dragging to move around and finding everything that’s going on – from snoozing on a moon to playing catch with a (presumably very lost) cat in a hot air balloon to getting food from an alien hot dog vendor. There are no games or anything to take part in as such – it’s all about just exploring and seeing what happens. The idea is it’s a chance for kids to make up their own stories – today, we’ll visit the space disco, have a picnic on an asteroid, and then have fun waking the sleeping satellites! There’s a fair amount to find, though the limited interactivity might mean it lacks longevity. Regardless, it’s very friendly, charmingly animated and a lovely app. Matt Bolton Lots to explore for smaller children in this sweet app. It’s slight, but that’s fine for its intended audience.