Keep the kids app-happy - Indianapolis Star

It's mind-boggling to learn that Apple recently sold its 25 billionth app, but it's certainly not hard to understand why. A dazzling array of wondrous, educational and just flat-out entertaining apps exists for all ages. If you've got children, and you're about to hit the road for a family vacation or have a new iPad and want to explore this amazing technology with your little ones, download these kid-friendly favorites.

ABCmouse.com Zoo Set 1, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad (99 cents). Learn about animals in their natural surroundings and test your knowledge.

Big Nate: Comix By U!, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad ($2.99). Who hasn't wanted to become a cartoonist? Allows kids to craft their own comics.

Cupcakes!, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Android (99 cents). Makes and decorates delicious-looking cupcakes.

Cut the Rope, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Android (99 cents). A silly game in which you feed candy to a goofy, cheerful green monster.

Drawing Pad, iPad ($1.99). Has a fully stocked easel so your child has access to virtual paint, colored pencils, crayons, stickers and more. (Also, check out the free Doodle Buddy for another nifty art-based app.)

The Electric Company Wordball!, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad (Free). Catch "wordballs" and sharpen spelling skills while enjoying music videos from Ne-Yo, Jimmy Fallon and The Electric Company gang.

Farkle Dice, iPhone, iPad and Android (Free). Two-to-four player dice game.

Fruit Ninja, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Android (99 cents). A slicing-fruit game that will make a virtual mess.

Juno Jr.'s The Day the Music Stopped, iPhone and iPad ($2.99). When everything in Harmonica Springs gets "shushed," Juno, Rai Rai and their friends bring the music back.

LEGO App4+, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Android (free). LEGO lovers build their own truck.

My PlayHome, iPhone and iPad ($2.99). A virtual dollhouse with just a few rooms, but still plenty to do.

Pat the Bunny, iPhone and iPad ($3.99). Based on the book by Dorothy Kunhardt, it allows younger kids to read and interact with the bunny.

Pianist, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Android ($3.99). Play a full 88-key, realistic-looking keyboard.

Pocket Frogs, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Android (free). Breed and collect from more than 15,000 frogs.

Ranger Rick's Raiders of the Lost Aardvark, iPhone and iPad ($1.99). Allows kids to help Ranger Rick solve the mystery of a missing aardvark.

Stack the States, iPhone and iPad (99 cents). Educational game about geography and state capitals.

Temple Run, iPhone and iPad (free). Adventure game for the budding Indiana Jones.

WeetWoo!, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad ($3.99). Lets kids browse a bunch of kid-friendly videos.

Where's My Water?, iPhone, iPod Touch, iPad and Android (free and paid versions). Puzzle game tries to clean Swampy the Alligator.