This post is sponsored by Dumb Ways JR and The Motherhood, but all opinions herein are mine.
Open-ended play allows our children to discover, to wander, to dream! It is the doorway to the imagination. We can provide the foundation, but also leave the windows open.
Dumb Ways to Die began in 2012 as a public service announcement by Metro Trains in Australia. It was a campaign designed to promote railroad safety, and safety in general. Its inspiration is that people often pay more attention when learning is presented in fun, unique and interesting ways. The PSA video with its insanely catchy theme song soon became an internet sensation through social media and sharing. Since then, Metro Trains Melbourne’s Dumb Ways to Die apps have celebrated a combined 200 million downloads!
Kids and adults alike have taken to the Dumb Ways characters, but, before they grew up, these silly guys were already making mischief in all sorts of places – in kitchens, planes, trains and more!
Check out Dumb Ways JR!
Dumb Ways JR is a brand-new educational platform for younger kids, aged 3-7 (though older kids love it too!). Recently released, now you can be one of the first families to explore the new apps which are similar to those for older kids but without any gore.
Two new Dumb Ways JR apps are currently available on Apple and Android devices.
Dumb Ways JR Boffo’s Breakfast focuses on teaching young kids about safety while cooking and encourages creativity and role-play fun. In this game, Boffo’s hungry and you’re the chef so it’s time to make him breakfast! Our 6-year old loved cooking up some delicious and not so yummy creations and watching Boffo’s reaction, from smiles and claps to grimaces when he ate a plate full of fish and toothpaste! The open-ended play gave her the chance to experiment and learn and the music kept her entertained while she waited with me for a doctor’s appointment.
This game is wonderful for so many reasons! It fans the fires of your children’s imagination without being too complicated. Kids interact with the game by tapping, stirring, mixing and swiping. This really allows their own creativity to grow and flourish as they create endless food mash-ups for their silly hungry new friend. It also subtly reinforces the lessons we teach them in our own kitchens, such as how to stay safe and not get burned.
Boffo’s face when the stove is turned up too high!
The second app we downloaded was Dumb Ways JR Loopy’s Train Set which was my daughter’s second favorite.
This game has two modes – Drive and Build – with three different levels in each mode, making it great for both younger and older kids. With the same adorable characters, it allows kids and families to explore how trains work, creating their own narratives as they help passengers board and exit the train. In Build mode, the children create their own tracks and can add houses, trees and animals. My daughter loved the train whistle. In fact, all the animations and sound effects are wonderful.
Both games have a For Parents button which is very helpful and insightful and both re-inforce the message of safety in a fun and engaging way.
There are also two more adventures coming from Dumb Ways JR, so be on the lookout! I would tell you more, but, I don’t want to spill the beans. Besides, then, someone might trip on them. 😀
Why not download the apps now. They’re ad-free and inexpensive with no in-app purchases.
Download Dumb Ways JR Boffo’s Breakfast: On The Apple Store and Google Play
Download Dumb Ways JR Loopy’s Train Set: On The Apple Store and Google Play
Connect with Dumb Ways to Die and Dumb Ways JR online:
Dumb Ways to Die website
Dumb Ways to Die Facebook page
Dumb Ways JR landing page
Dumb Ways JR Facebook page
Dumb Ways JR Instagram page
Do you encourage open-ended play for your children?
What great new Educational Apps for kids! Since kids today have such access to technology these days, it’s great to see all the educational apps out there for them to try.
I LOVE the open-ended play concept of this game app. I also like that they are ad-free. I’ll have to download these for the grands.
Finally! My son loves Dumb Ways to Die and they finally came up with an educational version of the app. Downloading the Jr version now! 😉
These look great! My kids don’t get my screen time on the electronics but I think it would be great for them to use some fun educational apps like these! we will have to check them out!
What a very cool app. I will definitely pass this on to my friends with little ones. Very cool way to teach them about safety.
Kids are learning more and more at a younger age through apps and games. I like seeing games for children that’s educational
I think these are super cute ideas for kids – love that there are apps out there that work for kids!
I don’t have any kids but if I did, these would totally be apps I would check out. I Love the idea of apps that educate while entertaining.
These Dumb Ways Jr. apps sound amazing for the kids. I love that they are educational and teach safety to the kids. I will have to share this with my sister and niece for their little ones. Thanks for sharing the apps.
I think my kids would be sold on the name alone, lol! I’m going to let them know about these apps – I’m sure they’ll love them!
My girls are already looking this up on my tablet now!!! We love the original Dumb Ways To Die, and I had no idea there was a JR one. Which will be better for my 6 year old. I even play it.
This sounds such a cool app! My nieces will definitely love playing this! Thanks for sharing!
My son is a bit older than the age for this game but he wants to be a chef so the dumb ways cooking would be perfect for him. Glad it’s available on Android. Will be downloading.
I can totally see how kids would get a huge kick out of this. It looks like tons of fun, and it’s super cute as well.
I’m always looking for fun yet educational apps for my kids! This is awesome!
It’s nice to see apps that are educational AND fun out there for kids. They spend so much time looking at screens now – not at ALL what my childhood was like!
Looks like a good way to go open-ended play for kids. I think kids could really enjoy this app.
My daughter loved the Dumb Ways to die video we played it over and over again. I will download this app on my phone and surprise her I am sure she will be delighted to play it.
What a great educational app for kids. My grandsons would enjoy this!
What a great app ! Defiantly passing it along to my Daughter and friends. Thank you.