Even for the little ones: There's probably an app for that

Everyone today is running around and with little ones, even the simplest chores become challenging when you also have to make sure your preschooler or toddler is entertained and safe while you pay bills, make a meal, or even take a phone call.  It's even more challenging when you have to wait in line at the grocery store or, now that it's the holidays, to buy a gift at the store.

I remember one December 24th when my husband and I were shopping at Filene's Department store in Boston at the downtown crossing, which at that time was the busiest department store in Boston.  We had our 3 year old son with us.  He managed to disappear underneath one of the circular clothing racks and we lost him for 15 minutes.  He was having the time of his life playing hide and seek, while we were frantically calling security!  Ah, memories.

What I would have done to have had an iPod then.  Today, there are all kinds of apps you can download -- many for free, and others for just a couple of dollars.  Some of these are great for keeping our little ones entertained for very short periods of time.  

Although your little one may not be chatting and texting nonstop on an iPhone (yet), you can download some fun, time-killing, even educational iPhone games and other distractions for them right now. Some suggestions made by iVillage: 

• Wheels on the Bus: They still go round and round, but your child can now add new instruments, different languages, new verses and even her own voice. Note: The song may not get any less annoying. 

•Scribble: A fun, sophisticated drawing app that makes Etch-a-Sketch look like…well…Etch-a-Sketch. 

•ISteam: This distraction asks kids to rub their fingers over a steamy mirror to reveal hidden photos. And no streaks! 

• Smacktalk: When your child speaks into the microphone, a puppy, kitten, guinea pig, or Chihuahua repeats it in adjustable speeds and pitches. (No, they haven't yet made an app to adjust your own child's voice quite yet.) 

• Pet Shop – Animal and Letter Memory Game for Kids: This image-matching game uses pets, other animals, and alphabet letters to test and improve kids’ memory and thinking skills. It also allows you to upload your own photos, which may come in handy if your children have trouble keeping their cousins straight. 

• ESPN Spelling Bee: In this app based on the official Spelling Bee, players hear words called out by ESPN's Trey Wingo, then have 60 seconds to spell them on the keyboard. For help, players can get the word's origin, definition, part of speech, and hear it in a sentence. Note: There are no penalty boxes, pit stops, or foul-outs.