The Best Educational Apps and Games for Kids

Children of all ages are sharpening their growing brains with technology. With the sea of apps that all claim to be "educational," though, let's discuss which ones are really the best for our kids. Schools have long been using software and video games to teach kids, of course (any one else play The Oregon Trail?). With tablets, advanced gaming systems, and other modern achievements, kids can also be learning all the time at home (maybe even unbeknownst to them)—and have fun all the while. Instead of doing this as one of our Hive Fives or recommendations from just one person (like our post on coding apps for kids, which is a more limited field), let's create a master list of the best educational programs together. To make it easier for fellow parents, teachers, and others interested in learning apps to read through our selections, here are the guidelines you should follow when posting your suggestion in the comments: Mobile apps, computer software, video games, and webapps are par for the course. For web sites, I think we should rule out sites that are purely informational (e.g., Wikipedia) and only include ones that are interactive. Make sure it's rated appropriate for kids. iOS apps, for example, should have a 4+ rating, Android rated for "everyone." Make one suggestion per post. This way others can "recommend" that one app/game and comment directly about it. Add as many suggestions as you'd like, as long as you think it's worthy of the "best" badge. Just put them in different comments. Don't post a duplicate suggestion. Depending on how many comments we get, this might be hard. But try to see if anyone else has suggested the same thing and, if so, avoid posting it again. Use the format below for your comment, including bold text. You can actually just copy and paste into your comment then edit. [IMAGE from the app/game. Copying from an app store is fine.] [TITLE/NAME of the app/game] Platform: E.g., Android/iOS, Mac/PC, Wii. Please add link(s) to the apps if possible. Cost: Free or $ Recommended Age Range: 3 to 5, etc. Why You Recommend It: Your toddler has learned calculus with the app, the sound doesn't drive you crazy after three hours, it's fun for both, etc. Okay, that's it! We look forward to learning what you think are the smartest apps and games for kids.

The Anticipation is Killing Me! Let's Open Thread!

Yesterday was Thursday! That means it's time to share what you know, ask what you don't, and generally partake in some insightful conversation. Right here, right now! Ask questions, offer advice, discuss productivity tips, or just chat about whatever's on your mind. We're coming to you from Hackerspace, the commenter-run playground for Lifehackers. Drop by Hackerspace any time you want to share your tips, how-tos, or just talk it out with your fellow readers. Want to be an author here? Shoot us a line on the comment thread below.

Zero Install Downloads, Updates, and Runs Apps Without Installing

Windows: Portable applications are handy for running applications from a USB stick or using an app without messing with your Windows installation. For the remainder, Zero Install can run software without installing it. The app features a sort of makeshift app store for a number of included applications. From a single menu, you can download from a host of popular apps like Audacity and Notepad++, and Zero Install will keep them up to date. You can also set up Zero Install to sync installations between computers so no matter which machine you're on, it's always up to date.

Save Money on Overage Charges by Backdating Your Mobile Plan

It's all too easy to go over your allotment for mobile data and voice (especially true when traveling overseas). One way you could possibly save a lot of money in those cases is to use the carrier's backdating feature, if available. Triphackr explains how backdating works. Basically, carriers including AT&T and Verizon, allow you to change your plan to a different one and have it be effective from an earlier date (e.g., the start of your current bill cycle). So let's say you go on vacation overseas and send too many texts, use too much data, or just didn't know you could get an international plan ahead of time. When you get back, you can call the carrier or use the online billing center to backdate your plan to add features (e.g., an international option) or change the plan, which could eliminate or reduce overage charges. Both AT&T and Verizon will credit you for the old plan's charge and then charge you for the new plan, plus a charge for a month in advance. So it'll cost some money, but probably less than the actual overage charges. You could also wait until the end of an overseas trip to backdate your cell phone plan and possibly save money.

Do You Use Your Tablet for Work?

Over the last few years, tablets have found their way into our living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, classrooms, and even cars. More and more, they are also making their way into our workplaces. How about yours? Tablets have been around in one form or another for many years, but it's only in the last few that they have really made an impact in the computing world. We've looked at how you can use a tablet productively in class and shown you easy ways to keep your tablet in your kitchen, mount it in your bedroom, and even incorporate one into your car's dashboard. But now, we're curious:

Keep Your Baseball Cap Collection Tidy with $1 Shower Curtain Rings

Got a mess of ball caps overrunning your home? Here's an ingenious way to get those caps organized and easy to pick from. The solution, the Household Dressing Style blog offers, is to simply hang shower curtain "C-hooks" on a hanger and then, well, the hats on the hooks. That's it! No more piles of caps everywhere. For caps without the adjustable loop, you could try different shower rings that close with a clip.

Save the Most Money When Renting an Apartment by Moving in Winter

Moving in the winter sucks, but according to US News, it's the best time to look for an apartment if you want to save money. The reasoning is actually pretty simple. Because moving in the winter stinks, nobody wants to do it. Landlords still need to fill those vacant apartments though. US News explains: If you're looking to save money on moving costs and your monthly rent, you'll want to look for apartments during the winter months. Winter is notoriously slow for apartment hunting, so landlords who are looking to fill units will often be open to negotiating monthly rent amounts. In addition to securing a lower rent, your first few months in your apartment will also reflect the highest energy bills you're likely to incur during your time living in your new place (unless you live in a Southern state), so your monthly costs are only going to go down with time. The downside of apartment hunting during the winter is, of course, limited availability. That's not to say that moving in winter is the best time though. If you're a little picky, you're better off searching for an apartment in either spring or summer because you'll have more options. You won't save money, but you'll probably have better luck finding a place you like.