Slice It! Begins

Slice it, dice it—it's as easy as pie, cake or any other shape you can imagine! This charming and addictive app introduces basic geometric concepts in a dynamic visual and tactile interface that kids will like.

Start by slicing up circles, squares and other shapes into halves, thirds and other fractions. The shapes are drawn on a grid and the early levels are fun and simple in concept, but harder than they look to get right—precise slicing is required. The levels, called "episodes,” increase in difficulty and can get quite challenging. As kids progress, the puzzle pieces and slicing instructions get more complicated—fortunately players can earn hints and practice at any level until they become proficient. The emphasis on accuracy in cutting up the shapes sharpens fine motor and visual skills.

Kids can handle the game without much parental guidance since the instructions are pretty straightforward and there are plenty of help and hint buttons. However, this free version has pop-ups urging kids to buy other apps and share info are all over the place. Talk with children before purchasing the app and go over these issues to ensure stress-free play for everyone.