Item: Crayola Create and Play+
Rating: 84
Author: Dinsun

Our Site Score

84/100

As a parent, finding high-quality, genuinely safe apps for kids is a minefield. Crayola Create and Play+ is an absolute lifesaver. It is incredibly robust, offering way more than just a digital coloring book. The variety of activities keeps my children engaged for long stretches, shifting smoothly from painting a dinosaur to solving a puzzle or taking care of a little digital pet. The fact that it is completely ad-free and lacks any sneaky microtransactions brings immense peace of mind.

The UI is highly intuitive, relying on visual cues rather than text, so even toddlers who cannot read yet can navigate the different worlds (like space or the city) independently. The tools feel great to use, and the 'Colors of the World' inclusion is a wonderful touch for inclusive creativity. The educational mini-games sneak in solid STEM concepts, like logic sequencing, without feeling like homework.

The only downside we've encountered is occasional technical instability. A few updates caused the app to crash on launch, which was incredibly frustrating for a toddler who just wanted to see their digital pet. The developers are usually quick to issue patches, but when it breaks, it breaks hard. Despite those rare hiccups, it is easily one of the best value-adds on Apple Arcade for families.

Reviewed on: Fri Aug 25 2023

Dinsun Review

As a gamer, I look for systems, challenge, and mastery. Crayola Create & Play+ has none of that, but to be fair, it isn't trying to. It’s an educational toy. For what it is, it’s quite good—the 'physics' of the crayons and the way colors mix is impressive, and the fact that it’s completely safe from ads is a major plus for parents. It’s a clean, wholesome digital space.

However, from a gaming perspective, the activities are shallow. The 'games' in the arcade are rudimentary at best, and the pet care is very basic. It’s essentially a high-end digital coloring book with some educational fluff. If you have a child who needs to be occupied for an hour, this is a godsend. If you’re an adult looking for a creative outlet, you’re better off with Procreate or a proper game. It does its job, but don't expect it to engage a mature mind.

Overall Stats

Pros & Cons

Completely safe and ad-free
Impressive digital art tools for kids
Broad variety of activities

Extremely simplistic for older users
Educational content is very surface-level
UI can be a bit overwhelming for very young kids

Technical Report

Performance: Stable; minor loading times between different zones.

Accessibility:

Voice-over instructions
Large, child-friendly icons

Audience Fit

Buy if: You have young children and want a safe creative app for them.

Skip if: You are looking for a game with depth, challenge, or story.

Similar Games:

Toca Life World
Sago Mini World

Reviewer Context

Reviewer: Dinsun, 40, Hardcore Conservative Gamer
Hardware: iPad Pro (M2) / Apple Pencil
Playtime: 3 hours
Status: Explored all zones

Crayola Create and Play+ is an expansive digital sandbox designed to foster creativity and early learning in children. Featuring a massive suite of activities, kids can use digital Crayola tools to color, paint, and draw on a wide variety of canvases. Beyond art, the app includes interactive pet care, basic coding logic games, and augmented reality features. With content updated monthly and developed in collaboration with educational experts, it provides a safe, ad-free space where children can freely explore their imagination while developing critical thinking skills.