A few weeks ago, our very own Eric Dye let us in on an exciting development from Lifechurch.tv: the upcoming application aimed at younger people interested in the Bible: the YouVersion Bible App for Kids.
Well, it’s here! Smack dab on Thanksgiving day, it is currently available for Android and iOS devices.
Styled as the Bible for Kids, it isn’t just a stripped down version of it’s old, more established big brother, the Bible App; indeed, it’s a relatively fresh vision that takes heed of the app’s target demographic.
YouVersion Bible for Kids
Graphically, the app is similar on both platforms, with soft, inviting artwork denoting nature scenes on the opening screen, and kid-friendly section buttons appear as big circles. Scrolling through the circles pulls the accompanying description (“In The Beginning”, “The First Sin” etc). The section buttons have their own artwork that hints at the content within.
Via these sections, the Bible is split into generalized portions that are easily consumed. Opening the sections lead to a menu allowing the condensed stories to be read and/or listened to. The audio is fun and engaging, with playful background music, and the story pages are interactive and reactive to touch. There are collectible gems embedded in the artwork to up the fun factor, and trivia questions pop-up periodically. The game also employs an achievement system that is measured in stars and the background music and narration are all togglable.
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The iOS version has the first few stories built-in, but the other stories have to be downloaded. All the Android stories have to be downloaded. No account is needed to use the application, and there isn’t a web sync either.
For an increasingly tech-savvy young generation, the Bible for Kids is yet another way to get younger people and the young at heart to engage with biblical stories that hopefully help build and solidify faith. It will probably appeal to pre-tweens better than most, but I doubt to many parents will complain about that.
It is available on the Google Play Store and Amazon Appstore for Android, as well as the iOS App Store for iDevices.
For free, too.
Gangai Victor says
Awesome!
Eric Dye says
Indeed! Full review coming soon…. 🙂
Gangai Victor says
Little buggy though at the moment, app closes by itself in every story that I’ve tried, and the back button is not consistent, hopefully they’ll fix it soon.
But overall, great effort, my son loves it already!
Eric Dye says
Hmmm…not the case for me. I’ll have to try the Android version. I’ve used iOS and Kindle and everything has been fine.
Tre Lawrence says
Hey…
What device are you seeing issues on? I have it on good authority that the back button issues are being addressed.
Gangai Victor says
Nook HD+
After 3 or 4 pages in a story, it doesn’t go further and closes by itself. Happens every single time, haven’t been able to complete any story.
But my son still likes it!
Must be an Android specific issue.