Lovely Play & Recreation

Fun for parents and kids! A smartphone game app for elementary schoolers that combines learning and play.

10 years as a kindergarten teacher / elementary school teacher / junior and senior high school teacher / childminderkepiko
Graduated from Kunitachi College of Music, Faculty of Music (now: Department of Music Culture and Education, Early Childhood Music Education major). In elementary school, my homeroom teacher was Jun Kusaba, a game researcher. After graduating from university, I worked as a kindergarten teacher for 10 years and as an after-school childcare instructor for 7 years, then took a position as a music teacher at an international school in Singapore. In addition to music education, I engaged in activities that introduced Japanese culture, traditional games, and recreational activities, working with many children. Later, through freelance writing, planning, and editing at Shogakukan, I met many delightful adults and experienced the joy of communicating and sharing. Drawing on the perspective cultivated in the field of education and my experience as an editor, I provide practical information with an emphasis on both input and output, mainly in areas related to music and children. My hobbies include instruments, singing, handicrafts, toys, drawing, traditional games, the outdoors, and books. My special skill is spinning-top tricks.
Keyboard playerSAKI
I’ve been playing the Electone since I was six, mainly performing Disney music, anime songs, and music from dramas and films. I post performance videos on YouTube and social media, and I also give concerts. Building on my Electone experience, I took up synthesizer and piano during my student years and performed at school-sponsored events. As a writer, I’ve covered not only music-related topics but a wide range of genres, so I hope to draw on my experience to deliver articles that make readers think, “I want to try that!” or “I want to listen to that!”

“Can elementary school kids play smartphone games?” “Which apps are safe to let them play?” Many families may share these worries and questions.

Here, we introduce a variety of smartphone game apps—from popular titles among kids like Monster Strike, Pokémon, and Disney character games to educational options.

They’re high-quality apps that are easy to enjoy with simple controls and can help develop thinking skills.

Explore a new world of play together with your child!

Fun for Parents and Kids! Balancing Learning and Play with Smartphone Game Apps for Elementary School Students (21–30)

Merge Survival

Merge game to survive in a post-apocalyptic world where our campmates might keep increasing – Day 27, Part 2 [Merge Survival]

Merge Survival

Here’s a game where you survive in a post-apocalyptic world thrown into chaos by environmental pollution and natural disasters.

Merge items to craft supplies for survival, and explore to discover new resources and hidden areas.

Its themes align with real-world social issues, and the ability to cooperate—or clash—with fellow survivors makes it a great pick for moral education.

I highly recommend playing it together as a parent and child.

Merge Survival (merge game)
Category: Games Free iOS Universal Rating: 4.31899
iPhone / iPad Android

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Cat search

[Vertical screen] A game where you just look for the top-ranked cats in app rankings is hilariously fun with its perfect difficulty level lol [Find The Cat]

This is a game where you search for and tap on cats that blend into black-and-white landscapes.

When you correctly find and tap a cat, it gains color.

If you get stuck, you can get hints, and it also shows how many cats remain, which makes it fun.

The cute “meow” sound that plays when you find and tap one is irresistible.

As you move up through the stages, the number of hidden cats increases, and they may become harder to find.

It’s a game we highly recommend for households that love cats.

Find the Cat
Category: Games Free iOS Universal Rating: 4.89778
iPhone / iPad Android

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Hirakawa Masako (Bōkarisuto: Sakata Mizumako)

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Fun for parents and kids! Balancing learning and play with smartphone game apps for elementary schoolers (31–40)

Pancake Tower

[Pancake Tower] The trending game? It’s just stacking pancakes, but it’s insanely hard and way too fun! In the end, can we break 100 with super rapid taps? How many can you stack?

Pancake Tower

OTOUCH INC.’s “Pancake Tower,” a game families can enjoy together, is well-regarded as a brain-challenging app.

Players compete to see how high they can stack freshly made pancakes on a plate, and success requires planning a strategy for stable stacking.

Its simple tap-only controls make it accessible even to young children.

Skilled play can boost your score, too! With multilingual support and robust privacy protections, parents can feel confident letting their children play.

Why not strengthen family bonds with this creativity-nurturing app?

Pancake Tower® — A Popular Game for Children
Category: Games Free iOS Universal Rating: 4.43489
iPhone / iPad Android

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Arithmetic Ninja

[Learning App] Math Ninja – Addition and Subtraction

Arithmetic Ninja

This is the app “Math Ninja,” playable on smartphones and similar devices.

Kids can learn addition and subtraction at a brisk pace.

The gameplay is to choose the correct answer from multiple options for each problem that appears.

The satisfying feeling of advancing with a single tap might get your child hooked.

There’s also a collection feature for gathering character cards, which helps keep motivation up.

It’s especially recommended for first graders who are just starting to learn math!

Arithmetic Ninja: Addition and Subtraction — A Learning App for Children
Category: Education Free iOS Universal Rating: 4.41561
iPhone / iPad Android

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In conclusion

We’ve introduced a variety of smartphone game apps for elementary school children, and each of them—used creatively—can help nurture kids’ creativity and thinking skills.

Keep an eye on how they play based on their interests, and try using the apps as opportunities for communication and growth.

You’ll surely discover new insights and ways to have fun together.