Wonster Words Learning – Spelling with Phonics

Wonster Words Learning App Review

App Info

Price: Free (In App Purchases)

Overview

We have been reviewing Wonster Words for years. The app becomes a quick favorite when any of my kiddos are between 2-6 years old because of all the entertaining features and sounds. And, I am constantly relieved that as a favorite, it is very educationally stimulating for them. Through the years, the app continues to evolve and new fun “stuff” has been introduced.

However, the basis of the app still holds true. Young kids are introduced to pattern words, word families, counting and puzzles through entertaining, pictures, silly videos, and sounds. Plus, during this Holiday season, presents appear in the app, adding to the Holiday spirit.

Features include:

  • Letters make their sounds as they are being put into place
  • Includes word lists as well as mini-games
  • Each word includes a silly animation to teach its meaning
  • Math games introduce early counting and numbers
  • Music, Art and Science puzzle scenes add to the fun
  • No stressful quizzing or scoring
  • Fun reward games
  • Play each level repeatedly (replay value)

Quality

Wonster Words is a high-quality app that is intuitively designed. Young players (even my 2-year-old) have no trouble understanding what to do for each game. The animations begin immediately after a word is correctly spelled and there is limited downtime for distractions. The app includes a wide array of words that will challenge and entertain students at a range of skill levels. The graphics may not be as advanced for my older children, but they are super cute.

The app is very fast and does NOT require WIFI/Data. Perfect for traveling!!

Education

For the first game, Kids must match “ghost” letters to their outlines and then drag those letters to spell the word on the screen. The single letters have two eyes, and the letter groups share a set of eyes peering through eyeglasses.  It makes a nice subtle method of helping the kids realize that the letters work together to make a single sound. The app developers incorporated a clue that two letters are making one sound by decorating them differently and causing them to respond as a unit when the child puts the letters into their proper places.

There are 11 different lists of words all based on root Phonics sounds. Each list contains eight words that have the same ending pattern or a matching phonic element such as th, sh or ch sounds. Some words are 3 letters long and others are up to 10 letters.  This is great because the words on the list are at different reading levels. For example, the list for –et family words includes the expected “jet” and “pet,” but also includes “rocket” and “trumpet”. Younger students will be expanding their vocabularies as well as learning to read and spell the words. The app also includes “stories” that allow kids to play some mini-games and follow a plot. Overall, this app does a good job of reinforcing many different phonetic elements, including word families, rhymes, consonant digraphs, diphthongs and more.

Number, counting and shape games have been introduced into recent versions of the app. It is more about identifying numbers and puzzles than straightt math. Again, perfect for little ones and a great way to break up the letter/word games. Kids over the age of 6 will not find the game challenging.

Entertainment

Wonster Words is entertaining for young children. The sounds, music, and bright colors keep kids entertained for a long time. The characters and shapes throughout the games are all friendly-looking and familiar.  At the end of each lesson game, kids are rewarded with fun animals to play with or quick games to play. “Playing with this pet” kitty was a winner in our household.

Value

This app is free to download, and comes with many free words, along with daily words of the day. More words are available through in-app-purchase. There is also a “Word of the Day” feature that can be accessed. Additional packs of words and stories are available for purchase one time or there are subscriptions available too. Give the free version a try and then build on up!

 

  • Monthly Subscription – $7.99
  • All Access Pass – $14.99
  • Monthly Subscription – $7.99
  • Wonster Words Access Subscription – $7.99
  • Birthday Surprise, Part 3 –$0.99
  • “CH” word pack – $0.99
  • Birthday Surprise, Part 2 – $0.99
  • “PH” Word Pack – $0.99
  • Wonster Racers (a 16-word interactive story) – $2.99
  • Birthday Surprise, Part 1 – $0.99

 

Child Friendliness

This app is child-friendly. The parents’ area and purchase areas are well-protected.

  • NO 3rd party ads
  • Protected parent area (can contain external links and social media)</li
  • NO Social media links
  • NO unprotected outside links
  • YES in-app purchase (protected, but visible)
Wonster Words Learning – Spelling with Phonics
Wonster Words
Quality
Education
Entertainment
Value
Child Friendly
4.9