You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser to improve your experience.

Apps That
Went Free on
2014-11-21

Both you and your children are going to enjoy the apps and games in today’s AppsGoneFree. We have a sci-fi gamebook for you to play through while your children can enjoy a game of Frontier Heroes, play and learn in Preschool Learning, and design their own sock puppet in Puppet Workshop.

Preschool Learning: Activities, Books and Puzzles
iPhone
iPad
Preschool Learning: Activities, Books and Puzzles

Preschool Learning: Activities, Books and Puzzles

Playrific, Inc.

A combination of videos, sing-along songs, mini-games, puzzles, and books that are both fun and educational.

It’s for parents looking for a new way to entertain their children.

FREE ($2.99) For a limited time FREE ($2.99) For a limited time
Why we picked this?

Today only, you can unlock all of the content within Preschool Learning free of charge! All you have to do is access any one of the activity categories and tap on a piece of locked content. You’ll then be prompted with the option to unlock the specific piece of content or all content for free. Make sure to unlock all of the content so you don’t have to go through each category one by one. That’s it! Your child will then be able to enjoy the more than 20 sing-along songs and videos, 30 games and puzzles, and 40 books.

If your child loves to play and learn, they’re going to have a lot of fun with Preschool Learning. It’s so jam-packed with content, even the pickiest of children will be able to find something they like.

Although the content can be enjoyed by children of all ages, it’s really meant for younger children. Some of the activities are designed for children nine and older, but very little. If you have an older child they will likely tire of the content relatively quick.

Frontier Heroes – A Planet H game from HISTORY
iPhone
iPad
Frontier Heroes – A Planet H game from HISTORY

Frontier Heroes – A Planet H game from HISTORY

A&E Television Networks Mobile

Blaze a path through United States history by mastering the skills of the early settlers in this educational game.

It’s perfect for parents and teachers who want to teach their children about American history.

FREE ($2.99) For a limited time FREE ($2.99) For a limited time
Why we picked this?

Frontier Heroes isn’t just educational, it’s also a ton of fun. Your child can play through five eras of American history, each of which includes dozens of mini-games. The mini-games consist of things like throwing tea into the Boston Harbor, tossing tomahawks, panning for gold, and helping Benjamin Franklin discover electricity. Your child can also collect the D.Y.K. facts spread out throughout the game to learn mind-blowing facts about America.

If you want your child to know more about American history, this will do the trick. Its highly stylized gaming environment will have no problem keeping your child engaged for hours.

If you have a child under the age of five, they most likely won’t be able to master the content included in this game.

Puppet Workshop - Creativity App for Kids
iPad
Puppet Workshop - Creativity App for Kids

Puppet Workshop - Creativity App for Kids

Software Smoothie

Your child can create their very own sock puppet from scratch in Puppet Workshop.

It’s ideal for parents who want to develop their child’s creativity.

$2.99 $2.99
Why we picked this?

Puppet Workshop throws out the rules and allows your child to be as creative as they want. They’re able to choose from 20 vibrant sock and glove designs. Your child is then able to craft their very own puppet using 150 household items like buttons,s trying, zippers, and felt. Basically anything you’d find in a craft drawer. Each item can be moved, resized, and rotated in order to fit the design your child has in mind. To finish off their project, your child can pick from one of the 18 background designs or create their own.

If you want to foster creativity, this is the app. Parents and teachers can simply hand off their iPad and let their children get to work thanks to the safe and simple environment Puppet Workshop provides. It’s completely free of ads, outside links, and in-app purchases.

If you have a child under the age of three, Puppet Workshop will be a little difficult for them to use since it lacks structure and direction.

Leonardo - Photo Layer Editor
iPhone
iPad
Leonardo - Photo Layer Editor

Leonardo - Photo Layer Editor

Pankaj Goswami

This fully featured photo editor can do just about anything.

Leonardo is ideal for iPhoneographers who want to avoid doing their edits on their computers.

$4.99 $4.99
Why we picked this?

Leonardo isn’t just another photo editor that attempts to pack in a bunch of features for the sake of having more bullet points than the competition. The app was designed with the user in mind, allowing you to edit your photos to perfection in no time. It has true layer support, just like the photo editors you use on your computer. This allows you to stack filters on top of each other and blend them in perfectly. Layers can also be merged, flattened, and duplicated. But it’s not just about filters, as Leonardo also includes a suite of editing options like cloning, red eye brush, color gradient, and the ability to add text. The app includes 18 different video tutorials to help you get the most out of it.

If you prefer to edit your photos on your mobile device, download Leonardo immediately. It will have no problem replacing whatever app you currently have for editing photos.

Really, there’s very little not to like here. The only major drawback is Leonardo is all about photo editing. It’s not a camera app, nor does it claim to be one.

Heavy Metal Thunder - The Interactive SciFi Gamebook
iPhone
iPad
Heavy Metal Thunder - The Interactive SciFi Gamebook

Heavy Metal Thunder - The Interactive SciFi Gamebook

Cubus Games

An epic sci-fi gamebook from acclaimed science fiction writer Kyle B. Stiff.

It’s perfect for fans of choose-your-own-adventure books.

$3.99 $3.99
Why we picked this?

It’s rare that you’re able to get fantastic art direction and storytelling in the same gamebook, but that’s exactly what Heavy Metal Thunder delivers. It’s an epic saga that takes place in the darkest regions of space and details humanity’s struggle against alien invaders that have taken over the solar system. Each decision you make has major consequences on the storyline, allowing for multiple play-throughs. Just give it a try. You’ll be hooked.

If you’re a fan of science fiction, this gamebook will keep you hooked. It’s about as accessible as gamebooks come, but offers rich storytelling and engaging dice combat gameplay to satisfy hardcore fans.

It’s a gamebook, so you’re not exactly in for some fast-paced gameplay. Not only that, even if you do get hooked, this is only the first chapter. The next installment will cost you when it arrives in the App Store.

Quotes Folder (Premium)
iPhone
iPad
Quotes Folder (Premium)

Quotes Folder (Premium)

Nestor Borgo

Collect and share quotes with this reference app.

It’s perfect for anyone who needs a little pick-me-up during the day.

$0.99 $0.99
Why we picked this?

Quotes Folder shines a light on some of the most memorable and inspiration quotes in history. It includes more than 38,600 quotes, maxims, and aphorisms from 1,300 different authors to read and share. Quotes that aren’t already included in the database can be added manually and organized within folders. You’re also able to search for quotes by author or keyword and save your favorites. The app includes 13 themes to choose from.

If you find quotes to be motivating, head on over to the App Store right now. Quotes Folder is able to deliver you a random quote daily through push notifications, or you can randomly browse through them.

Quotes are available in English, Italian, Spanish, French, and German. If you’re preferred language isn’t supported, the app isn’t going to be nearly as useful for you.