Summer ended in the blink of an eye and suddenly I’m knee deep in leaf-piles, construction paper turkeys, and a telling trail of Halloween candy wrappers. Yes, the holidays are upon us, and even though there’s a strict no-Christmas-music-until-December policy in my house, my 4-year-old is eagerly awaiting the arrival of Santa, sugar cookies, and gingerbread houses. In an effort to satiate my little beast angel, I’ve plied her with these great holiday apps that will keep her happy and give me some peace before the holidays really begin.
Elf on the Shelf 
Fans of this popular children’s book and toy are sure to love these lively apps. Eight separate (and free!) apps including a memory game (with timer, to keep little minds on the prize); matching blinky lights in progressively difficult patterns (remember the old Simon Game?); and a quick-fingered hide and seek game. More info
Gingerbread Crazy Chef 
Want to make cookies without the calories or mess? Kids will have a blast adding ingredients and rolling out the dough, and the real fun comes in when they get to choose from over 100 outfits and accessories, turning an ordinary gingerbread man into a seriously dapper dude. More info
Santa’s Merry Band
Get in the holiday spirit with this bright and colorful app that lets your little one play more than twenty instruments, as well as highlight individual instruments to teach the different components of song writing. More info
Plume’s School — Saving Christmas
Interested in boosting your toddler’s vocabulary while he’s playing? Christmasy word games, ABCs, and memory games with the elves will keep your kids entertained for hours. More info
Santa’s Postman
When it comes to Christmas, what’s more important than writing a Christmas list to Santa?! Fun and interactive, this story-app lets your little one write a letter (or just draw pictures) and send her letter off to the North Pole, as well as have a quick snowball fight with the elves. Oh, and don’t forget to track Santa’s whereabouts on the Big Night! More info
Wubbzy’s The Night Before Christmas
In addition to a retelling of this classic story, there are interactive games slipped in. There’s even a ‘Parents Corner’ to spark a thoughtful conversation with your child after she’s read the story. More info
Toca Hair Salon — Christmas Gift
Your child’s inner Sally Hershberger will marvel at the chance to perm Santa’s beard, shave his head, or give a mullet and goatee to a Christmas tree. With lots of accessories and a snapshot function, kids will love this fun holiday app. More info
